The relationship between family history of cancer, coping style and psychological distress

Objective: to investigate the relationship between family history of cancer, coping style and psychological distress. methods: total 80 patients with family history of cancer and 72 normal controls were analyzed using selfreporting inventory (scl-90), coping style scale and impact of event scale-revised (ies-r). results: 1. between the two groups of patients, there were significant differences in anxiety, depression, cancer-specific distress and coping style. 2. psychological distress (anxiety, depression and cancer-specific distress) had positive correlation with negative coping style and family history. 3. negative coping style played an intermediary role in the family history and psychological distress. conclusion: the negative coping style will predispose to a more stronger psychological distress among the individuals with family history of cancer.