Significant associations between Escape-avoidance coping and emotional distress in patients evaluated for lung transplant

Abstract

Introduction: Coping with end stage lung diease and addtionally suffer from emotional distress is challenging, and may influence the post transplant regimen. In order to give psychological support we need more knowledge about coping mechanisms in this population. Aims: To better understand the potential role of coping strategies, we studied the associations between coping and emotional distress in COPD patients evaluated for lung transplant. Method: 72 patients (47% female) mean years (SD) 56.4 (4.9) completed the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. General Health Questionnaire 30 (GHQ) was used to measure level of emotional distress. The chronic GHQ-score was dichotomized to indicate High Emotional Distress (HED)(>17) vs. Low Emotional Distress (LED). Results: Planful problem solving strategy was most used (M=1.17, SD=0.61), while Escape-avoidance strategy (EA) (M=0.64, SD=0.49) was least used. Mean score (SD) for Self-controlling strategy (SC) was 0.87 (0.46). Mean chronic GHQ-score (SD) was 12.1(6.3) (max score=30). Patients with HED (n=17) used significantly more EA and SC strategies than those with LED, respectively p Conclusion: We suggest that pateints with HED and EA coping should be identified for potential intervention. Strategies to target and reduce EA coping may help to address emotional distress in patients awaitng lung transplantation.