Appraisal, coping, resources and health of women with breast cancer: strategies for building evidencebased research into nursing education

20^th Global Nursing Education Conference

March 21-23, 2018 | New York, USA

Kathleen A Sternas

Seton Hall University, USA

Keynote: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Problem: National and international studies report stress, poor quality of life, increased emotional distress among women with breast cancer. Factors which impact health after breast cancer include appraisal, coping and resources. Nurse educators teach students how to improve clinical outcomes. Research utilization by nursing students can increase evidence-based practice and improve outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate about appraisal, coping, resources and health of ethnic women with breast cancer; describe strategies to build evidence-based research on breast cancer into education of nursing students. Methodology: In this study Lazarus and Folkman�s stress-appraisal-coping framework was used. Women aged 29 to 80 (n=47) having mastectomy or lumpectomy surgery of African-American, Caucasian or Hispanic ethnicity were referred by surgeons and nurse interviewed before surgery. Instruments: Appraisal of Breast Cancer Scale/Ways of Coping Revised/Resources Assessment/Physical Health Rating/Profile of Mood States. Findings: Women appraised breast cancer as challenging with harmful losses. Challenges: Maintain self-esteem/feel good emotionally/stay active. Losses: independence/finances/social life. African-Americans had more beneficial-positive appraisals than Caucasians (t=2.80, p=0.008). Ways of Coping Used: Ways used include concentrated on what to do; work/activity; prayed; accepted sympathy; talked; changed/grew. African-Americans used more distancing than Caucasians. Hispanic women waited/slept/used alcohol. Helpful resources: social supports/ACS/ religion/ cultural practices/ grieving/ finances/good relationships. African-Americans had less tension-anxiety/confusion, more vigor, less mood disturbance (t=-3.22, p=.002) than Caucasians. Hispanics reported uncertainty/fatigue. There were no physical health differences. Educational strategies: integrating teaching and research; incorporating evidence-based breast cancer research readings in courses; students as research assistants; attendance at research conferences; researcher role education; providing support/time/resources for research. Conclusions: Women hold positive and negative meanings about breast cancer, use variety of coping strategies/resources to reduce stress. African-Americans use more beneficial-positive appraisals/distancing/had better emotional health. Implications: educate women on positive appraisals, helpful coping strategies/resources since these factors can affect health. Research contributes to new knowledge on breast cancer. Use of evidence-based research when teaching, stimulates students� interest in utilizing/conducting research.

Biography :

Kathleen A Sternas completed her PhD in nursing science from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA and holds a Master’s degree in community health nursing from Pennsylvania State University, USA. She is associate professor of community health nursing in the College of Nursing. Her program of research focuses on stress appraisal, coping, resources and health of individuals experiencing stressors including breast cancer, spousal bereavement, caregiver stress and relocation stress. Lazarus and Folkman’s stress-appraisal and coping theoretical framework guides her research. She has published numerous papers in scholarly journals and presented her research at international and national research conferences.