Denial in Cancer Patients from Different Ethnic Backgrounds
Author Information
Author(s): Roy R, Symonds R P, Kumar D M, Ibrahim K, Mitchell A, Fallowfield L
Primary Institution: Leicester Royal Infirmary
Hypothesis
Different ethnic groups may have different coping strategies to deal with psychological pressures following the diagnosis of cancer.
Conclusion
Caucasian patients appear to adapt to the psychological pressures of cancer more successfully than Asian patients, who tend to use denial more often and experience higher levels of depression.
Supporting Evidence
- Asian patients were more fatalistic and had higher hopeless/helpless scores compared to Caucasian patients.
- Caucasian patients were more likely to not dwell on their illness and had lower rates of depression.
- Denial was significantly related to the presence of both depression and anxiety in the entire patient population.
Takeaway
This study found that Asian cancer patients often don't believe they have cancer and feel more hopeless than Caucasian patients, who are better at coping with their illness.
Methodology
Patients completed the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale to assess coping styles and adaptation to cancer.
Potential Biases
Differences in socio-economic status and education may have affected the results.
Limitations
The study had a modest sample size and did not collect data on educational levels and socio-economic status.
Participant Demographics
82 Asian patients and 117 Caucasian patients were included in the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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