Predictors of coping in a group of Turkish patients with physical disability

Abstract

To describe coping strategies used and determine the influence of demographic/health-related variables and perceived social support to the prediction of coping strategies in patients with physical disabilities. The period of psychosocial adaptation following a physical disability is very stressful. The use of effective coping strategies may be helpful in adapting to disability. However, no information is available about the coping strategies used by Turkish patients with physical disability. The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. The data were obtained from 51 patients with physical disability in a rehabilitation centre in Ankara, Turkey between May 2004-September 2005. Data were collected using a questionnaire form, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Coping Strategy Indicator. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis test, chi-square test, Pearson's correlation coefficients and stepwise multivariate regression analysis were conducted. The most frequently used coping strategy was problem-solving, followed by avoidance coping and seeking social support. Significant predictors of overall coping strategies were age, financial status, the caregiver's presence and perceived social support, after controlling for specific variables. This study demonstrated that patients who were older and had a caregiver were more likely to use problem-solving strategy. Seeking social support was more common among patients who had a caregiver and those with more perceived support from friends, whereas patients who had financial difficulties used more avoidance coping. Better understanding the coping strategies used by individuals with physical disabilities and factors affecting coping is provide interventions that reduce the stress and support their adaptation. Nurses should be aware of the factors that affect to coping strategies used to deal with stress.