Cancer is a life-threatening disease, characterized by a complex process that profoundly affects the physical health and emotional and psychological well-being of patients.1 The challenging journey faced by patients prompts numerous inquiries related to the treatment approach and the emotional burden they carry.2 Thus, it is crucial to explore adaptive coping strategies among patients with cancer, which has emerged as a significant endeavor to comprehend, bolster, and enhance patients’ coping mechanisms with cancer.3 Those diagnosed with cancer encounter a spectrum of emotional responses that could impact their physical well-being and overall quality of life. These reactions encompass intense emotions such as fear, anxiety, anger, and despair. Hence, biomedical, emotional, and psychological dimensions characterize a patient's journey to fighting cancer.4 Adaptive coping strategies can navigate the hurdles encountered by patients with cancer. Adaptive coping entails employing cognitive and emotional tactics to enhance a patient's resilience in managing stress. These strategies allow patients to maintain emotional equilibrium, confront stressors, and effectively handle their challenges.5 The initial coping step involves comprehending the disease and available treatment options. Acquiring knowledge can empower patients to make informed decisions about their health and effectively navigate their treatment journey.6 Furthermore, cancer survivors may experience positive transformations following their illness, which are often associated with personal growth and resilience. In this context, social support networks, comprising family, friends, and support groups, play a crucial role in coping with cancer by alleviating emotional burdens and facilitating the sharing of challenges, thus enhancing coping mechanisms and emotional resilience.7, 8, 9 For example, robust social support has been linked to enhanced emotional resilience and the overall quality of life. It is essential to prioritize emotional well-being in patients with cancer. Meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can aid in managing stress. In addition, setting goals within the coping journey provides patients with a structured roadmap for progress. For instance, concentrating on small, attainable goals can facilitate achieving larger objectives incrementally.10 Mind–body interventions, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction and yoga, can mitigate emotional distress among patients with cancer,11 whereas cognitive–behavioral therapy is effective in alleviating emotional distress, highlighting that coping with cancer is a dynamic and evolving process.12

The literature on coping mechanisms of cancer reports two primary categories, namely, adaptive and maladaptive.13 Adaptive coping mechanisms are constructive strategies that promote effective stress management; these include acceptance, active problem-solving, and seeking emotional support. Conversely, maladaptive coping mechanisms are counterproductive and include behaviors such as denial, behavioral disengagement, and substance use.13,14 The use of adaptive coping strategies is associated with improved mental well-being, adoption of healthier lifestyles, and a higher perception of social support.15,16 In addition, these strategies can promote positive psychosocial adaptation, providing an enhanced sense of purpose in life and a more optimistic outlook on the future.15,17 In contrast, maladaptive coping strategies are linked to a higher prevalence of anxiety, distress, and reduced quality of life. Furthermore, maladaptive strategies can exacerbate trauma-related symptoms in individuals with cancer.15,18 Although coping strategies significantly influence health outcomes in patients with cancer, research has primarily examined their relationship with psychological health and well-being, often overlooking how patients manage the challenges associated with the treatment.19,20 For instance, Hagan et al21 reported that strategies, such as active coping, acceptance, and positive reframing, are associated with reduced emotional distress, whereas self-blame, denial, and behavioral disengagement correlate with increased emotional distress in patients with incurable lung and gastrointestinal cancers. In addition, a lack of confidence in coping with cancer has been linked to poorer outcomes.22 A better understanding of these adaptive coping mechanisms can guide healthcare professionals, caregivers, and families in providing more effective support to these patients. Various scales are available to evaluate the coping strategies of patients with cancer in dealing with stress.23,24 However, these scales differ in terms of scope. For example, the Mini-MAC23 scale is used to study the psychological impact of cancer on patients and assess their coping methods and mental adaptation to cancer, whereas the BRIEF COPE24 is based on general coping theories to assess coping with stress in healthy individuals. Thus, a measurement tool to assess the adaptive coping abilities of patients with cancer is required. We have tried to address this gap in the literature by evaluating the validity and reliability of the Adaptive Coping with Disease Scale (ACDS), specifically adapted for use with patients with cancer in Türkiye.