African American women coping with breast cancer: a qualitative analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine how African American women cope with breast cancer.


METHODS
Descriptive and exploratory study.


METHODS
66 African American women diagnosed with breast cancer were interviewed in the southeastern United States.


METHODS
Data were collected through tape-recorded interviews using a semistructured interview guide. Data were analyzed by content analysis and frequency distributions.


METHODS
Coping strategies used by women to adapt to a diagnosis of breast cancer.


RESULTS
Coping strategies described by African American women included relying on prayer, avoiding negative people, developing a positive attitude, having a will to live, and receiving support from family, friends, and support groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Spirituality played a major role in these African American women coping with breast cancer. Supportive networks also served as a vital asset throughout the breast cancer experience. Participants discussed the need for culturally sensitive breast cancer support groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses must recognize coping strategies that African American women with breast cancer use. Healthcare professionals need to develop culturally sensitive breast cancer support groups. Throughout the breast cancer experience, nurses must assess communication patterns among African American families. Nurses should serve as healthcare advocates for African American women with breast cancer.
Henderson
Phyllis D
PD
School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. phender8@son.jhmi.edu
Gore
Shirley V
SV
Davis
Bertha Lane
BL
Condon
Esther H
EH
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude / Q000208:ethnology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research / Q000379:methods; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D010551:Personality; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012067:Religion; D012107:Research Design; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012944:Social Support; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013534:Survival / Q000523:psychology; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology