Negative emotions and their management in Chinese convalescent cervical cancer patients: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to understand the experience of negative emotions and coping styles of patients with cervical cancer during the rehabilitation period. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative research method was used. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 cervical cancer patients and the data were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis identified three relevant themes. Theme 1: Negative emotions in convalescent cervical cancer patients mainly comprised fear of recurrence, worries about sex and feelings of inferiority. Theme 2: Patients used positive and negative coping styles to manage negative emotions. Theme 3: Patients expressed a strong need for rehabilitation information. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cervical cancer exhibited negative emotions during the rehabilitation period. To help these patients, medical staff should develop an understanding of their needs by communicating more with patients and providing them with targeted care to help them return to society more quickly.