Quality of life of cancer patients: Contributions of coping strategies and emotional intelligence

Abstract

Throughout the process of cancer sickness and treatment, the individual is submitted to several stressful situations such as physical symptoms, side effects of the treatment, social stigma related to the disease, catastrophizing thoughts, multiple and prolonged hospitalizations, negative experiences with the health system and grief for real and symbolic losses, which are intense and unpleasant emotional triggers. Coping strategies and emotional intelligence are resources used in psychosocial interventions to manage and regulate the negative effects of stress. Therefore, the objective of the study is to understand how coping strategies and emotional intelligence impact the quality of life of cancer patients. Confirmatory factor analysis will be performed for the Escala de Estratégias de Enfrentamento para Pacientes Oncológicos (E3PO), as well as its relationship with Teste de Organização de Histórias Emocionais (TOHE), Questionário Online de Regulação Emocional (QoRE) and Quality Life Questionnaire Core (QLQ-C30) will be verified through multiple linear regression analysis. As expected results, it is suggested that E3PO has an internal structure with stability and that coping strategies and emotional intelligence are able to predict changes in quality of life.