The emotional states and associated behavioral responses (flexible-adaptive behaviors vs. inflexible-maladaptive behaviors) of cancer patients during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak: A multi-center cross-sectional study in Italy.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Distress during SARS-CoV-2 outbreak affected also cancer patients' well-being. Aim of this study was to investigate patient' reactions and behavior (flexible-adaptive vs. inflexible-maladaptive) during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was designed with a self-report questionnaire, "the ImpACT questionnaire," developed for the study. Regression analysis was performed on data. RESULTS: Four hundred and forty five cancer patients from 17 Italian regions participated in the study. 79.8% of participants were female (mean age of 58 years). 92.6% of participants reported feeling vulnerable to COVID-19 contagion; 75.6% reported helpless, 62.7% sad, 60.4% anxious, and 52.0% anger. Avoidance of thinking about coronavirus is the principal maladaptive behavior that emerged. Participants who reported feeling anxious were more likely to have fear of staff being infected with COVID-19 (OR = 3.01; 95% CI = 1.49-6.30) and to have disrupted sleep due to worry (OR = 2.42; 95% CI = 1.23-4.83). Younger participants reported more anxiety (OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.94-1.00); men reported feeling calm more than women (OR = 2.60; 95% CI = 1.27-5.43). CONCLUSIONS: Majority of cancer patients reported serious concerns regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection; reliable information and psychological support must be offers to respond to these needs.