Coping With Chronic Illness: A Systematic Review of Adaptive Strategies Across Cancer, COPD, Diabetes and Heart Disease.

Background: Chronic diseases such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and coronary heart disease profoundly affect individuals' quality of life, requiring sustained adaptive coping mechanisms to manage physical, emotional and social challenges. This review contributes to the public health literature by systematically synthesising coping strategies used by individuals living with these conditions. Objectives: To identify, categorise and compare coping strategies employed by individuals with cancer, COPD, diabetes and coronary heart disease, and to examine the personal, familial and systemic factors shaping these adaptive responses. Methods: A systematic review of peer-reviewed studies published in English between January 2010 and September 2024 was conducted across five major databases that include PubMed, CINAHL Complete, JSTOR, PsycINFO and ScienceDirect using a structured search strategy with Boolean operators and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH terms). Thematic analysis was employed to synthesise findings from the selected studies. Results: Eight core themes emerged: maladaptive stress strategies, maintaining 'normalcy', medication use, emotional factors, expanding social networks, therapeutic interventions, complementary therapies and the influence of religion, music and nature. These themes illustrate the multidimensional nature of coping with chronic illness. Problem-focused coping (e.g., self-management and goal setting), emotion-focused coping (e.g., mindfulness and emotional support) and avoidance coping (e.g., denial and disengagement) were all prevalent. Social determinants such as healthcare access, family relationships and community support significantly influenced outcomes, with stronger social support linked to greater resilience and better adherence to treatment. Conclusion: Effective coping strategies for chronic disease management require a holistic approach that addresses both individual mechanisms and broader social and systemic influences. Interventions should improve healthcare accessibility, strengthen family and community networks and offer tailored psychological resources to foster resilience.