Exploring psychosocial coping among older women following a breast cancer diagnosis

Abstract

Aims: This research investigates how women aged 60 and above, diagnosed with breast cancer within the last five years, perceive and navigate the psychosocial challenges brought on by their illness. Methods: The study included 25 women who met the age and diagnosis criteria. Data was collected through in-person, semistructured interviews. A thematic analysis approach was applied to identify patterns in how participants coped with emotional strain, accessed support systems, and made sense of their condition. The study was conducted in accordance with the COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) to ensure methodological rigor. Results: Participants described optimism, emotional support from others, and spiritual beliefs as central to their psychological adjustment. Conversely, issues related to altered body image, social withdrawal, and uncertainty about treatment were reported as key stressors. Conclusion: The findings point to the essential role of psychosocial coping in adapting to a cancer diagnosis later in life. They highlight the need for early, individualized support interventions particularly those that address body image concerns and strengthen social networks to help older patients better manage the psychological impact of the disease.

Keywords

• Older women
• breast cancer
• coping strategies
• psychosocial adaptation

Meme kanseri tanısı almış yaşlı kadınlarda psikososyal başa çıkma sürecinin incelenmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu araştırma, son beş yıl içinde meme kanseri tanısı almış 60 yaş ve üzeri kadınların hastalıkla ilişkili psikososyal zorlukları nasıl algıladıklarını ve bu süreçle nasıl başa çıktıklarını incelemektedir. Yöntem: Çalışmaya yaş ve tanı kriterlerini karşılayan toplam 25 kadın katılmıştır. Veriler, yarı yapılandırılmış yüz yüze görüşmeler yoluyla toplanmıştır. Katılımcıların duygusal yükle başa çıkma biçimleri, destek kaynaklarına erişimleri ve hastalıklarını anlamlandırma süreçleri tematik analiz yöntemiyle değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırma, nitel çalışmalarda şeffaflığı sağlamak amacıyla COREQ (Nitel Araştırmalar için Konsolide Raporlama Kriterleri) rehberine uygun şekilde yürütülmüştür. Bulgular: Katılımcılar; iyimserlik, çevreden alınan duygusal destek ve manevi inançların psikolojik uyum süreçlerinde belirleyici olduğunu ifade etmiştir. Buna karşılık, beden imajında yaşanan değişiklikler, sosyal geri çekilme ve tedaviye ilişkin belirsizlik gibi unsurlar başlıca stres kaynakları olarak öne çıkmıştır. Sonuç: Elde edilen bulgular, ileri yaşta alınan kanser tanısına uyum sürecinde psikososyal başa çıkma becerilerinin kritik bir rol oynadığını göstermektedir. Özellikle beden imajına yönelik kaygıları ele alan ve sosyal destek ağlarını güçlendiren erken dönem, kişiye özel destek müdahalelerinin gerekliliği vurgulanmaktadır.

Keywords

• Yaşlı kadınlar
• meme kanseri
• başa çıkma stratejileri
• psikososyal uyum

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