Evaluation of Psychiatric Morbidity, Locus of Control and Coping Pattern in a Sample of Female Patients with Cancer Breast

Abstract

Introduction: Women diagnosed with cancer breast may experience unique stresses related to loss of fertility, changes in body image and altered relationships with significant others. These stressors demand coping and may induce various psychiatric illnesses, especially anxiety and/or depression. Aim of the study: To study psychiatric morbidity, pattern of coping, difference in personality traits, importance of the social support and also to correlate between locus of control and health seeking advice behavior. Subjects and methods: This is a cross sectional study including 100 female patients with cancer breast recruited from the Breast Cancer Clinic, Ain Shams University hospitals. Subjects were assessed by SCID and different scales for their locus of control, social Class, social readjustment and social support. Results: The majority of cases suffered from mood disorders (32%) followed by anxiety disorders (25%). Cancer breast patients mainly displayed an internal locus of control as compared to controls (58% Vs 38%, P=0.005), with a more frequent use of active cognitive methods. Those within the recurrent group used more avoidance coping method while those in recurrence received comparatively more practical social support than that given to in early disease (P=0.005). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders and internal attribution of locus of control within patients with breast cancer. It is therefore, essential for physicians to explore and cater for psychosocial needs of the breast cancer patients and support them to cope better.