摘要：The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact suffered by 40 people when discovering that one of their family members was diagnosed with cancer, to analyze their coping strategies and expectations towards the patient's illness and future. The study made use of the Coping Strategies Inventory by Folkman and Lazarus. Results show that most of the patients' caregivers are their married children, with an average age of 45.7 (dp=12.67), and gainfully employed. These family members reported the negative impact of the diagnosis, with the predominant feelings of sadness and fear of loss, even though they had a positive perspective about the future, expecting the patient's recovery. As to the functional coping strategies, the most used were the resolution of problems, followed by social support; the least used was positive revaluation. As to the dysfunctional strategies, the most used ones were escape and avoidance and the least used was taking the responsibility for the illness. Conclusions are that despite suffering with the negative impact of the disease, the family members are optimistic about the patient's future and seek to use strategies that solve the problem effectively, without blaming themselves for the patient's illness.
