Affiliations: Universität Trier/Gebäude E,
Universitätsring 15, 54286 Trier | Charité, Medizinische Klinik mit
Schwerpunkt Psychosomatik, Luisenstr. 13 a, 10117 Berlin
Note: [] Korrespondenzadresse: Dr. Franziska Fellenberg, Universität
Trier/Gebäude E, Universitätsring 15, 54286 Trier. E-mail:
fell1302@uni-trier.de; Tel: 0651 201 3497
Abstract: Coping with a severe chronic disease is embedded in the
patient's everyday life and may af-fect many areas of everyday
functioning. This single-case-study depicts coping processes in the natural
environment of the patients. Using a standardised diary over a period of ninety
days, stressors (concerning physical well-being, intimate social relations,
daily activities, fi-nance, doctor-patient-relationship), coping strategies,
and emotional well-being were as-sessed on a daily basis. We analysed thirteen
cases of female patients with different tumours with regard to those stressors
and coping strategies that have been found in previous studies on a group
level. Moreover, three single cases were examined in more detail. Each person
showed a specific profile of daily stressors and coping strategies. Not all of
the previously known stressors and coping modes turned out to be relevant for
these patients. There are dif-ferent consequences of the individual strategies
on well-being and function, also depending on the stage of the illness. Future
research should examine the day-to-day coping process in more detail.
Keywords: coping, cancer, every day life, single-case-study
