Abstract: Objective To investigate the coping style and self-efficacy in patients with acute leukemia under chemotherapy and to evaluate the effects of cognitive psychotherapy.Methods Eighty two patients with acute leukemia under chemotherapy were recruited and assigned into routine nursing group and cognitive psychotherapy group.All the patients were evaluated with Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire(MCMQ),General Self-Efficacy Scale(GSES)before and after the intervention.Results The scores of avoidance(16.98±2.83)and resignation(10.76±2.83)of MCMQ of the patients were higher than those of the norm with a significant difference(P=0.000).The score of confrontation of the patients(19.38±3.67)was similar to that of the norm.The general self-efficacy score(2.52±0.59)of the patients was lower than that of the norm with a significant difference(P=0.000).Compared with the control group,the scores of confrontation and self-efficacy were significantly improved in the experimental group,while the scores of avoidance and resignation were significantly decreased(P < 0.05).Conclusion Avoidance and resignation are the coping styles most frequently used by the patients with acute leukemia under chemotherapy and their self-efficacy level was low.Cognitive psychotherapy is proved to be effective to promote the patients using more positive coping styles and improving self-efficacy.