The role of coping strategies and cognitive emotion regulation in well-being of patients with cancer

Background: Cancer is a destructive and usually progressive disease while put too much stress on the patients family and the society. Then, recognizing of variables which can help to improve well-being of these patients can be important and very helpful to diminish the stress of them. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the role of coping strategies and emotion regulation in well-being of patients with cancer. Methods: This descriptive study with predictive design was conducted in 2016. The research sample consisted of 62 cancerous patients in three chemotherapy centers of Qom city. The patients completed demographic questionnaire, Garnefski cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire (CERQ), Endler and Parker coping strategies questionnaire and Ryff psychological well-being questionnaire. Findings: Results showed that there were significant relationships between coping styles and psychological well-being of cancer patients (P=0.01). But there was no relationship between cognitive emotion regulation and psychological well-being. Regression analysis showed that coping styles had more power to predict psychological well-being than cognitive emotion regulation (P=0.01). Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that coping styles are the most important factors that affect encountering with tensional events such as cancer. Major focus on the therapeutic and educational programs related to recognizing and applying adaptive coping styles, has important role in increasing psychological well-being of these patients.