Defense Mechanism Functioning in Patients With Breast Cancer: Using the Defense Mechanism Rating Scale

Impact of Defense Mechanism Styles on Disease Progression in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer: Focusing on Clinical Staging

BACKGROUND

The escalating incidence of cancer and the concurrent rise in mental health issues necessitate investigation into the potential for psychological factors to impede timely and effective treatment. This study examines the association between defense mechanism styles and disease progression, specifically focusing on clinical staging, in patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer.

METHODS

Employing a descriptive correlational design, the study recruited 205 patients with GI cancer admitted to Javad Al-Aeme Hospital in Kerman, Iran, during the year 2022. Convenience sampling was utilized for participant selection. Data collection instruments included the Defense Style Questionnaire-40 (DSQ-40) and patients' documented clinical stage information. Correlation coefficients and ordinal logistic regression were employed for data analysis.

RESULTS

Over half of 205 GI cancer patients were female (53.2%). The majority were married (85.8%) with an average age of 53.86 ± 8.21 years. Nearly a quarter (23.9%) were in disease stage 1, with similar proportions in stages 2 (25.4%), 3 (27.3%), and 4 (23.4%). The findings revealed a significant inverse correlation between mature defense mechanism styles and clinical stage (r =  - 0.55, p < 0.001), indicating that patients who employed more adaptive defense mechanisms had lower-stage cancer. Conversely, a significant positive correlation was observed between immature defense mechanism styles and clinical stage (r =  - 0.49, p < 0.001), suggesting that patients who relied on less effective defense mechanisms had more advanced-stage cancer. However, no significant association was found between neurotic defense mechanism styles and clinical stage (r =  - 0.12, p = 0.079).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides preliminary evidence that defense mechanism styles are associated with disease progression in patients with GI cancer. Mature defense mechanisms may promote slower disease progression, while immature defense mechanisms may contribute to more advanced disease stages. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and develop interventions to improve psychological well-being in this patient population.

Differences in proximal and intimacy-related defense mechanisms among patients with cancer in different psychological stages of dying

Purpose

This study measured three of the psychological stages of dying in patients with cancer and explored the differences in proximal and intimacy-related defense mechanisms at each stage.

Patients and methods

A total of 220 cancer patients were recruited for this study; 168 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the data analysis. The participants were divided into three groups using the "Death Attitudes Questionnaire Revised" (1994) and then completed the Death-Thought Accessibility Test, Self-Control Questionnaire, Rumination Reflection Questionnaire, Attachment Type Test, Intimacy Test, External Control Test, and Positive and Negative Affect Scale.

Results

In the death avoidance stage, which represents a defense stage without cognitive processes, patients are in an irrational state with the highest level of self-control and the lowest level of external control; they tend to prefer close relationships with many people while experiencing high levels of fear and depression. In the bargaining stage, which represents a biased cognitive defense stage, the level of rationality increases, the level of fear and depression decreases, and patients tend to prefer relationships with many people that do not involve intimacy. In the neutral death acceptance stage, which represents a defense stage without cognitive bias, self-control is lowest, external control is highest, patients tend to prefer intimate relationships with a few people, and experience the lowest levels of fear and depression.

Conclusion

Three psychological stages of death exist in cancer patients, with differences in proximal and intimacy-related defense mechanisms in each stage. The findings have theoretical and practical implications for psychological interventions for cancer patients.

Exploring influencing factors in breast cancer survivors’ experience in Lebanon

Background

The research objective was to investigate social and cultural factors affecting breast cancer survivors’ experiences in Lebanese.

Methods

A snowball sampling of 20 breast cancer survivors participated in the study. Semi-structured open-ended interviews were used to collect data.

Results

The results showed that family support and religious beliefs were the primary supporting sources for breast cancer survivors. On the other hand, their body image and children were the major concerns. Thus, family and religious beliefs were needed to overcome breast cancer’s daily burden.

Conclusion

Women with breast cancer perceived their cancer experience through their social roles, reflecting a concern for image and role preservation.

Cognitive appraisal of the disease and stress level in lung cancer patients. The mediating role of coping styles

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to provide support for the hypothesis that there was a correlation between the subjective appraisal of one's disease and the level of stress, as well as the hypothesis that coping styles may have a mediating role on the relationship between the perception of the disease and stress level in patients diagnosed with lung cancer.

METHODS

The study involved 97 respondents diagnosed with lung cancer, including 50 men and 47 women. The following methods were used for the study: the Disease-Related Appraisals Scale, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Socio-demographic data were also collected.

RESULTS

The results show that emotion-oriented coping (EOC) acts as a mediator on the relationship between the appraisal of the disease and stress level in patients diagnosed with lung cancer. A total of 4 multiple mediation models were tested.

CONCLUSION

The research findings provide support for the hypothesis that coping style is crucial for the way patients appraise their disease and for their stress level. It is important to diagnose individual specific needs of lung cancer patients. The research results are an important source of information for those responsible for training medical staff on how to support cancer patients in their illness.