Psychological Responses and Coping Strategies Among Javanese Women With Cervical Cancer During Chemotherapy Treatment In Surakarta

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the most deadly cancers for women and diagnosed most frequently in developing countries. In general, women with cervical cancer are diagnosed in their advanced stage. Chemotherapy treatment is proven to have both physical and psychological side effects. However, the patients’ perception and acceptance of the disease and therapy are powerfully affected by their values, beliefs, and culture. Javanese is the largest ethnic group in Indonesia whose people have a unique characteristic in coping with health problems. The objective of this research was aimed to develop the concept of psychological responses and coping of Javanese women who suffered from cervical cancer with chemotherapy treatment. This study was designed as a qualitative study. It was a study of Phenomenology. The subjects of research were female patients with cervical cancer under chemotherapy treatment at Dr. Moewardi General Hospital Surakarta. The participants were selected by purposive sampling technique. The instruments of this qualitative study included in-depth interview guidelines, observation guidance, stationary and tape recorder for documentation. The data analysis was carried out by Qualitative Colaizzi analysis. The results of study Psychological responses comprised of anxiety, sadness, low self-esteem and acceptance, sensitivity, as well as spirit to regain healthy state. The coping strategies against psychological changes were highly affected by Javanese perspective toward life and religion, which were, to develop patience and strength, to accept disease as a trial of life, to pray, and to have a faith in fate. Conclusion and suggestion: Javanese socio-culture and religion provided an impact on the coping strategies of female patients with cervical cancer under chemotherapy treatment. Health workers should consider the socio-culture and the belief aspects of the patients; therefore, they would be able to provide the most suitable treatment for the patients.