Coping Strategies of Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Dublin Core
Title
Coping Strategies of Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Subject
Breast cancer; chemotherapy; coping strategies; COVID-19
Description
Background: Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for breast cancer to prevent
cancer progression, but health protocols, such as social distancing during the
COVID-19 pandemic, hinder timely treatment. Although many qualitative studies
have investigated the experiences of breast cancer patients during the COVID-19
pandemic, few have explored the coping strategies of women undergoing
chemotherapy during this time.
Purpose: This study explored the coping strategies of women with breast cancer
undergoing chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A qualitative phenomenological design was employed to explore the
experiences of women living with breast cancer and their coping mechanisms.
Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants who met the following criteria:
(1) women diagnosed with breast cancer who had chosen to undergo chemotherapy
and (2) women attending chemotherapy sessions at the treatment center. Patients
with a history of severe chemotherapy side effects were excluded from the study.
Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 25
participants, and transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Four key themes emerged from the data analysis, including (1) feeling the
uncertainty of life, (2) emotional turbulence, (3) surviving under pressure, and (4)
accepting the situation. Participants demonstrated positive adaptive coping
strategies to manage the challenges of breast cancer and chemotherapy during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion: Surviving and accepting conditions were identified as vital coping
mechanisms that help women with breast cancer maintain their quality of life during
the COVID-19 pandemic. These strategies play a crucial role in maintaining mental
well-being amid uncertain and stressful circumstances.
cancer progression, but health protocols, such as social distancing during the
COVID-19 pandemic, hinder timely treatment. Although many qualitative studies
have investigated the experiences of breast cancer patients during the COVID-19
pandemic, few have explored the coping strategies of women undergoing
chemotherapy during this time.
Purpose: This study explored the coping strategies of women with breast cancer
undergoing chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A qualitative phenomenological design was employed to explore the
experiences of women living with breast cancer and their coping mechanisms.
Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants who met the following criteria:
(1) women diagnosed with breast cancer who had chosen to undergo chemotherapy
and (2) women attending chemotherapy sessions at the treatment center. Patients
with a history of severe chemotherapy side effects were excluded from the study.
Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 25
participants, and transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Four key themes emerged from the data analysis, including (1) feeling the
uncertainty of life, (2) emotional turbulence, (3) surviving under pressure, and (4)
accepting the situation. Participants demonstrated positive adaptive coping
strategies to manage the challenges of breast cancer and chemotherapy during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion: Surviving and accepting conditions were identified as vital coping
mechanisms that help women with breast cancer maintain their quality of life during
the COVID-19 pandemic. These strategies play a crucial role in maintaining mental
well-being amid uncertain and stressful circumstances.
Creator
Susilo Harianto1
, Nursalam Nursalam2, Dewi Maryam3, Abd Nasir1
, Cucuk Rahmadi Purwanto1
,
Hafna Ilmy Muhalla1
, Emuliana Sulpat1
, Amellia Mardhika1
, Domingos Soares4
, Nursalam Nursalam2, Dewi Maryam3, Abd Nasir1
, Cucuk Rahmadi Purwanto1
,
Hafna Ilmy Muhalla1
, Emuliana Sulpat1
, Amellia Mardhika1
, Domingos Soares4
Source
https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v15i1.56922
Date
29 April 2025
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Susilo Harianto1
, Nursalam Nursalam2, Dewi Maryam3, Abd Nasir1
, Cucuk Rahmadi Purwanto1
,
Hafna Ilmy Muhalla1
, Emuliana Sulpat1
, Amellia Mardhika1
, Domingos Soares4, “Coping Strategies of Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11310.