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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Diane B. Mitschke, MSW, PhD(c), School of Social Work, University of Hawaii, 1800 East-West Road, Henke Hall, Room 224, Honolulu, HI 96822, (808) 927-5567, dmitschke@gmail.com

The purpose of the Family Coping Study was to explore family coping among survivors of prostate cancer and their family members in Hawaii. The study was the first of its kind to explore coping with prostate cancer among Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Native Hawaiian, and Caucasian families. A total of 100 individuals from 42 families participated in the study by completing a survey that collected demographic data and assessed their family coping using the Family Crisis Oriented Person Evaluation Scales (F-COPES). Step-wise regressions determined significant predictors of overall coping as well as each of five subscales including: 1) Social Support, 2) Reframing, 3) Spiritual Support, 4) Family Mobilization, and 5) Passive Appraisal. The results of this study indicate that the experiences of survivors and their family members are different, and that factors that contribute to family coping among survivors differ from those that contribute to family coping among family members and close friends of prostate cancer survivors. In addition, the results point to the importance of recognizing the important role that support groups may have in enhancing coping among family members of survivors. Attention must be given to acknowledging the different kinds of roles that are fulfilled by family members and friends and how these roles contribute to coping in survivors as well as family members and friends. It points to some key characteristics that may be important to consider when developing psychosocial interventions for families, and also provides a window for future studies exploring similarities and differences across culture.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe key constructs of family coping theory
• Understand the need for prostate cancer research with diverse populations
• Recognize factors that enhance successful coping in families facing prostate cancer

Keywords: Coping, Asian and Pacific Islander

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered