Coping Strategies and Psychosocial Functioning in Women With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer, and Their Partners

Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer have been found to cause both psychological distress and impairment in social functioning. There is considerable interest in how women cope with this disease and in understanding the effects of adopting particular coping strategies. Studies are reviewed which have identified an association between particular strategies and measures of psychosocial functioning, during the early stages of breast cancer. Recent work has suggested that the coping of partners may be of relevance to the adjustment of the women. This area is therefore also reviewed. The implications of adopting particular coping strategies are discussed.