Keywords

African American, coping, family history, genetic counseling

Authors

1. Weathers, Benita MPH
2. Kessler, Lisa MS
3. Collier, Aliya BA
4. Stopfer, Jill E. MS
5. Domchek, Susan MD
6. Halbert, Chanita Hughes PhD

Abstract

This observational study evaluated utilization of religious coping strategies among 95 African American women who were at increased risk for having a BRCA1/BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) mutation. Overall, women reported high levels of collaborative coping; however, women with fewer than 2 affected relatives ([beta] = -1.97, P = 0.04) and those who had a lower perceived risk of having a BRCA1/2 mutation ([beta] = -2.72, P = 0.01) reported significantly greater collaborative coping. These results suggest that African American women may be likely to use collaborative strategies to cope with cancer-related stressors. It may be important to discuss utilization of religious coping efforts during genetic counseling with African American women.