Psychosocial functioning, coping strategies, and social support in patients after surgical treatment of kidney cancer

Łukasz Wysocki, Monika Krawczyk, Elżbieta Grochans, Daria Schneider-Matyka

Abstract


Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common urinary tract cancers and its treatment, despite its efficacy, is often associated with a high psychological and social burden. With increasing incidence rates and improving survival, psychosocial aspects related to patients’ functioning after surgical treatment are becoming increasingly important. The level of acceptance of the illness, coping strategies and the availability of social support appear to be particularly important. 
The aim of this study was to assess the level of acceptance of the disease, coping strategies and the extent of social support received in patients after surgical treatment of RCC.
Materials and methods: Eighty-five patients undergoing surgical treatment at the Department of Urology and Urological Oncology of the Teaching Hospital No. 2 in Szczecin were included in the study. A diagnostic survey method and 3 tools were used: Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC) and Social Support Questionnaire (ISSB). 
Results: The mean level of disease acceptance among patients was moderate (M = 24.89, SD = 6.37). The most frequently used coping strategy was fighting spirit (M = 22.38), while helplessness was the least used (M = 15.42). Constructive coping styles were prevalent (high level in 50.59% of respondents), whereas destructive styles were typically low (43.53%). Social support was reported at a moderate frequency across all domains (emotional, informational, instrumental, valuing), typically occurring once per week. Significant correlations were observed between age and positive reappraisal (r = 0.22, p = 0.043), and between helplessness and informational support (r = 0.263, p = 0.015). Respondents with secondary education demonstrated higher levels of fighting spirit compared to those with vocational education (p = 0.019). 
Conclusions: Patients after surgical treatment of RCC presented moderate levels of disease acceptance and preferred constructive coping strategies. Social support was present to a moderate extent. Age and education influenced selected aspects of psychological adaptation, whereas no correlation was found between the level of disease acceptance and coping styles.


Keywords


idney cancer; acceptance of the disease; coping strategies; social suport

Full Text:

PDF

References


National Cancer Register. Malignant tumours in Poland – incidence and mortality. M. Skłodowska-Curie Oncology Centre – Institute. https://onkologia.org.pl (11.04.2025).

Wojciechowska U, Didkowska J. Nowotwory złośliwe w Polsce w 2020 roku. Warsaw: Krajowy Rejestr Nowotworów, Centrum Onkologii – Instytut; 2022.

Chow WH, Dong LM, Devesa SS. Epidemiology and risk factors for kidney cancer. Nat Rev Urol 2010;7(5):245-57.

Mathew A, Devesa SS, Fraumeni JF Jr, Chow WH. Global increases in kidney cancer incidence and mortality: an update. J Urol 2002;168(5):2497-501.

Moch H, Cubilla AL, Humphrey PA, Reuter VE, Ulbright TM. The 2016 WHO classification of tumours of the urinary system and male genital organs – part A: renal, penile, and testicular tumours. Eur Urol 2016;70(1):93-105.

Motzer RJ, Jonasch E, Agarwal N, Bhayani S, Bro WP, Chang SS, et al. Kidney cancer, version 2.2017, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2017;15(6):804-34.

Ljungberg B, Albiges L, Abu-Ghanem Y, Bensalah K, Dabestani S, Fernández-Pello S, et al. EAU Guidelines on Renal Cell Carcinoma 2022. Eur Urol 2022;82(4):399-410.

Janiszewski M, Oszukowski P. Surgical treatment of renal cell carcinoma – current recommendations. Post Urol 2018;2(4):85-92.

Zabora J, BrintzenhofeSzoc K, Curbow B, Hooker C, Piantadosi S. The prevalence of psychological distress by cancer site. Psychooncology 2001;10(1):19-28.

Juczyński Z. Measurement tools in health promotion and psychology. Warsaw: Pracownia Testów Psychologicznych PTP; 2001.

Watson M, Greer S, Young J, Inayat Q, Burgess C, Robertson B. Development of a questionnaire measure of adjustment to cancer: the MAC scale. Psychol Med 1988;18(1):203-9.

Barrera M. Distinctions between social support concepts, measures, and models. Am J Community Psychol 1986;14(4):413-45.

Łuszczyńska A, Kowalska D. Inventory of Socially Supportive Behaviors (ISSB) – adaptation and psychometric evaluation. Psychol Rev 2002;45(3):343-61.

Juczyński Z. Measurement tools in health promotion and psychology. Warsaw: Pracownia Testów Psychologicznych PTP; 2001.

Juczyński Z. Mini-MAC – Scale of Mental Adaptation to Cancer. In: Juczyński Z, editor. Measurement tools in health promotion and psychology. Warsaw: Pracownia Testów Psychologicznych PTP; 2001.

Chojnacka-Szawłowska G. Psychological aspects of coping with neoplastic disease. Warsaw: PZWL; 2009.

Mielcarek P, Warchoł-Biedermann K, Królikowska K. Coping with cancer. Psychoonkologia 2013;1:64-72.

Bergerot CD. Fostering the future of psychosocial care with world psycho-oncology day. Cancer Network. https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/fostering-the-future-of-psychosocial-care-with-world-psycho-oncology-day (14.04.2025).

Dieng M, Cust AE, Kasparian NA. Psychological effects of supportive interventions in cancer patients: a systematic review. Psychooncology 2021;30(7):1122-33.

Pasek M. Stress coping style and age of oncology patients. Nursing Probl 2017;25(2):68-73.

Koç Z, Yıldız A. Effect of demographic variables on coping styles and illness perception in patients with cancer: a cross-sectional study. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2023;64:102280. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2023.102280.

Pankowska A, Urbanek K, Sawicka A. Educational level and attitudes towards illness. Piel Zdr Publ 2020;10(2):65-71.

Reese JB, Somers TJ, Keefe FJ. Coping with sexual concerns after cancer: a systematic review. CA Cancer J Clin 2020;70(2):141-59.

Matsuda M, Kanno Y, Tanaka S, Fujimoto Y. Coping strategies and quality of life in renal cancer patients: a cross-sectional analysis. Support Care Cancer 2024;32(2):211-20. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-07777-1.

Yıldız A, Koç Z. Factors affecting psychosocial adaptation in patients with renal cell carcinoma: a narrative review. Renal Cell Carcinoma QOL Rev 2024;10(1):22-30. doi: 10.5958/2349-2996.2024.00005.1.

Helgeson VS. Social support and adjustment to cancer. Health Psychol 2003;22(2):135-8.

Di Mattei VE, Carnelli L, Mazzetti M, Bernardi M, Gritti P. Psychological distress and resilience in patients with renal cancer: a longitudinal study. Support Care Cancer 2023;31(5):2329-38.

Zhang L, Li Y, Wang Y, Chen J. Psychological resilience and social support predict psychosocial adjustment in patients after hepatocellular carcinoma surgery: the mediating role of fear of recurrence. Front Psychol 2024;15:1461199. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1461199.

Li M, Wang L. The associations of psychological stress with depressive and anxiety symptoms among Chinese bladder and renal cancer patients: the mediating role of resilience. PLoS One 2016;11(4):e0154729.

Northouse LL, Katapodi MC, Song L, Zhang L, Mood DW. Psychosocial care for cancer patients: a systematic review. J Clin Oncol 2022;40(16):1808-19.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.21164/pomjlifesci.1143

Copyright (c) 2025 Łukasz Wysocki, Monika Krawczyk, Elżbieta Grochans, Daria Schneider-Matyka

License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/pl/