Stress Coping Strategies and Quality of Life in Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

ObjectivesZZThe aims of this study were to investigate the pattern of stress coping strategies and the effects of stress coping strategies on quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. MethodsZZStress coping strategies and quality of life were examined using Ways of Coping Checklist and Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale for 98 patients with schizophrenia. Stress cop- ing strategies were composed of problem-focused coping, social support seeking, emotion-fo- cused coping, and wishful thinking. Among these, problem-focused coping and social support seeking were active coping strategies while emotion-focused coping and wishful thinking were passive coping strategies. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Beck's Depres- sion Inventory (BDI) were also administered. ResultsZZActive coping scores were higher than passive coping scores in patients with schizo- phrenia. Quality of life was higher in the active coping group compared to the passive coping group. Active coping usage was a significant predictor of higher quality of life even after control - ling for gender, age, PANSS, and BDI scores. ConclusionZZPatients with schizophrenia used more active coping strategies than passive cop- ing strategies, which showed significant association with higher quality of life. A treatment pro - gram to provide education on use of active coping strategies in a proper and flexible way might contribute to enhanced quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc 2015;54(2):181-187 KEY WORDSZZ Psychological stress · Coping skills · Quality of life · Schizophrenia.