Coping behaviors may play a mediating role in producing the negative health outcomes observed in financially burdened cancer patients and survivors. Exploratory factor and latent class analysis of survey data.… Click to show full abstract
Coping behaviors may play a mediating role in producing the negative health outcomes observed in financially burdened cancer patients and survivors. Exploratory factor and latent class analysis of survey data. A total of 510 people completed the survey, ages ranged from 25 to over 75 [over half greater than 55 years old (57.8%)]. Most respondents identified as female (64.7%), white (70.8%), or African American (18.6%). A four-factor model of financial coping was revealed: care-altering, lifestyle-altering, self-advocacy, and financial help-seeking. Respondents grouped into three financial coping classes: low burden/low coping (n = 212), high self-advocacy (n = 143), and high burden/high coping (n = 155). African American respondents were at far greater odds than white respondents of being in the high burden/high coping class (OR = 5.82, 95% CI 3.01–6.64) or the self-advocacy class (OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.19–2.80) than the low burden/low coping class. Compared to respondents aged 65 years and older, those 35–44 were more likely in the high burden/high coping class (OR = 12.27, 95% CI 7.03–19.87) and the high self-advocacy class (OR = 7.08, 95% CI 5.89–8.28) than the low burden/low coping class. One-third of respondents were in the high burden/high coping class. Age and race/ethnicity were significantly associated with class membership. Some coping strategies may compromise health and well-being. Program and policy interventions that reduce the odds that patients will use strategies that undermine treatment outcomes and increase patient use of protective strategies are needed.
               
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