An ethnographic study was utilized to identify coping strategies of women with breast cancer. Five women were interviewed; four were interviewed on three separate occasions, and one was interviewed twice. The data were analyzed for specific coping strategies taken by the women to deal with the stresses of breast cancer. These strategies were compared and organized into categories of coping strategies: Actions Taken, Emotional Support, Positive Outcomes, Getting Control, and Keeping a Positive Attitude. These five categories were integrated as new coping incidents appeared in the data. The original five categories were merged into three categories: Getting Control, Compensating, and Emotional Support. From these three categories the theory was written: Women with breast cancer will obtain support, get control over what they can control, and compensate for what they cannot control.

Doctorat en sciences psychologiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

A qualitative research design and an ethno-nursing research method were used to identify cultural factors influencing Xhosa women's health seeking behaviours associated with breast lumps. Focus group interviews were conducted to obtain data. The research results revealed that these Xhosa women with breast lumps did not disclose some cultural factors which influenced their health seeking behaviours associated breast lumps. Registered nurses, sharing the same culture and language as the Xhosa women, revealed that Xhosa women with breast lumps sought treatment from traditional healers, prior to seeking medical care from the hospital and/or clinics. When they arrive at the hospital/clinics the breast lumps have often progressed to advanced ulcerated breast cancer, with poor prognoses and poor treatment outcomes. Xhosa women lacked knowledge about the management of breast lumps. Health promotion efforts should address this issue at Primary Health Care services in the Eastern Cape. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

A qualitative research design and an ethno-nursing research method were used to identify cultural factors influencing Xhosa women's health seeking behaviours associated with breast lumps. Focus group interviews were conducted to obtain data. The research results revealed that these Xhosa women with breast lumps did not disclose some cultural factors which influenced their health seeking behaviours associated breast lumps. Registered nurses, sharing the same culture and language as the Xhosa women, revealed that Xhosa women with breast lumps sought treatment from traditional healers, prior to seeking medical care from the hospital and/or clinics. When they arrive at the hospital/clinics the breast lumps have often progressed to advanced ulcerated breast cancer, with poor prognoses and poor treatment outcomes. Xhosa women lacked knowledge about the management of breast lumps. Health promotion efforts should address this issue at Primary Health Care services in the Eastern Cape. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)