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Mitchell Dissertation etd submit.pdf (996.43 KB)

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Examining Coping Over Time in a Sample of Older Adult, Long-Term Cancer Survivors

Mitchell, Clare
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1370112625

Abstract Details

, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Psychology.
It has been well documented that older adults represent the largest group of new cancer diagnoses as well as the largest group of long-term cancer survivors. Despite these statistics, relatively little is known about long-term psychosocial effects of cancer survivorship on this group. The present paper sought to extend current inquiries through the secondary analysis of a longitudinal data set comprised of older adult, long-term cancer survivors. Study goals included: 1) characterizing the stability and change in coping over time with older adult, long-term cancer survivors, 2) linking coping strategies to psychosocial outcome variables and 3) characterizing differences in coping over time by ethnicity through the use of a latent culture variable. Study results revealed slight decreases in the usage of planning, social support, and venting coping strategies over time and a slight increase in the use of religious coping over time. Differences were found in the usage of planning by older-old and younger-old adults. Heavier initial reliance on venting and denial as coping strategies predicted higher levels of anxiety and depression at Time 4. A composite coping variable was also created, possibly reflecting the effort used during the coping process. Age and sex predicted composite coping. Older members of the sample relied less on composite coping, which predicted lower levels of anxiety and depression at Time 4. Women relied more on composite coping, which predicted higher levels of anxiety and depression at Time 4. Study results did not support the creation of a latent culture variable through which to measure ethnicity. Although changes over time were found in the usage of various coping strategies, questions remain regarding the magnitude of these changes and what they might mean for older adult, long-term cancer survivors. Further study limitations and clinical implications based on the current standard of care for cancer survivors are discussed.
Lee Thompson, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Gerontology; Oncology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mitchell, C. (n.d.). Examining Coping Over Time in a Sample of Older Adult, Long-Term Cancer Survivors [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1370112625

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mitchell, Clare. Examining Coping Over Time in a Sample of Older Adult, Long-Term Cancer Survivors. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1370112625.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mitchell, Clare. "Examining Coping Over Time in a Sample of Older Adult, Long-Term Cancer Survivors." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University. Accessed APRIL 25, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1370112625

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1370112625
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This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.