Adaptive Stress-coping Strategies Research Articles

Mitigating Psychological Impacts of Quarantine During Pandemics: A Mini Review

The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), originating in Wuhan, China in December 2019, quickly escalated into a global health crisis, infecting individuals across all strata of society. Declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, this unprecedented emergency prompted governments worldwide to implement strict lockdowns and quarantine measures. The sudden onset of these procedures has had significant psychological effects on individuals and communities. This paper reviews the psychological impacts of prolonged quarantine and discusses adaptive stress-coping strategies to mitigate these effects. Our goal is to highlight effective approaches to manage mental health amidst such crises, aiming to provide guidance for future public health emergencies.

Psychological support for carriers of mutations in genes associated with hereditary breast cancer

Relevance. Informing patients about the carriage of a pathogenic mutation may result in a psychologically traumatizing situation, characterized by acute stress reactions, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, or anxiety-depressive disorder. This highlights the importance of psychological counseling.Objective. To investigate the effectiveness of psychological support in a patient with mutations in genes associated with hereditary breast cancer.Materials and methods. Description of patient's medical history and results of instrumental psychological diagnosis after identifying a pathogenic mutation in the CHEK2 gene, which increases a risk of developing breast cancer to 20–40 % via genetic testing.Results. The nature of emotional response in this case is determined by personal history — identification of ideas about one's possible disease with mother's one. The conducted psychological consultations mitigated acute stress reactions and minimized the perception of received genetic information as a psychologically traumatic event. Furthermore, significant positive shifts were observed in the formation of adaptive stresscoping strategies, awareness of one's own mental resources, and reinforcement of adherence to the dynamic observation plan.Conclusion: Patients in situations involving the identification of mutations in genes associated with hereditary breast cancer require a personalized approach. Development of criteria for psychological support should be aimed at improving patients' quality of life not only in the immediate aftermath of information disclosure but also in the long term.

Emotional Intelligence and Stress Coping Strategies of Medical Residents

Background. Everyday medical residents experience stress related to academic, professional, and personal factors (Alosaimi, Alghamdi, Aladwani, Kazim, & Almufleh, 2016; Dave, Parikh, Vankar, & Valipay, 2018), therefore it is important to take care of their psychosocial well-being. Traits of medical residents that are important for well-being are related to control of emotional information, and abilities that provide for effective handling of stressful situations are important as well. The objective of the present study was to assess correlations between emotional intelligence and stress coping strategies of medical residents. Methods. The study sample consisted of medical residents (n = 108). The following questionnaires were used: TEIQue-SF and Coping Styles Questionnaire. Questionnaires were sent to personal electronic addresses and target groups of social networks. Paper-based questionnaires were presented in the work and gathering places of subjects.Results. Emotional intelligence was higher than average, and the most expressed trait was the overall sense of well-being (in relation to emotionality, self-control and sociability). Sociability and self-control were more expressed in men than in women. Rational coping with stress was the most characteristic for medical residents (in relation to emotional coping, detached and avoidance coping). Women were more than men inclined to use emotional coping while men were more inclined than women to use detached coping.Conclusions. Statistically significant correlation existed between emotional intelligence and stress coping strategies of medical residents. Positive correlation was determined between emotional intelligence and adaptive stress coping strategies, while negative correlation was observed between emotional intelligence and maladaptive stress coping strategies. Keywords: resident doctors, stress, emotional intelligence as a trait, coping with stress.

Evaluation of the mindfulness-augmented \u201cTrampoline\u201d programme \u2013 a German prevention programme for children from substance-involved families tested in a cluster-randomised trial

BackgroundChildren of substance-abusing parents are at a substantial risk of developing substance-use and other mental disorders. Children involved in substance abuse – not diagnosed with substance-use problems but integrated in psychiatric treatment or youth welfare services – constitute a particular high-risk group that is in need of substance use prevention. Emerging evidence indicates that self-regulatory determinants of substance use and other mental disorders, particularly stress reactivity, are modifiable by mindfulness-based interventions, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction.MethodsIn this ongoing cluster randomised-controlled trial, a mindfulness-augmented version of the modularised evidence-based “Trampoline” programme for children affected by parental substance use problems is evaluated in a sample of 420 children who are from substance-involved families, aged from 8 to 12 and receiving non-substance-specific care in psychiatric or youth welfare services. Larger effects on adaptive stress-coping strategies (primary outcome), internalising and externalising problem behaviours and distress due to parental substance use are expected compared to the standard “Trampoline”-programme version. Mindfulness components will be added and regularly practiced for 30 min in each validated “Trampoline” module. Moreover, the feasibility of mindfulness-based interventions in psychiatric care and youth welfare services for children suffering from emotional and behavioural problems will be investigated in this study.DiscussionDespite recruitment challenges, this study provides a unique opportunity to develop and test a promising addiction-specific, mindfulness-based intervention for a target group at risk, i.e. children from substance-involved families.Trial registrationThe trial was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register on July 16th 2018 (trial registration number (TRN): DRKS00013533). Any important protocol modifications are to be reported immediately. Protocol version v.2.1, 15th April 2019.

Level of stress and strategies used to cope with stress by physicians working in intensive care units.

The physicians of intensive care units (ICUs) encounter patients who are critically ill and have severe injuries and require life-saving interventions. Working in such a stressful environment may be highly stressful. A high level of stress among intensive care units' staff is commonly reported. The aim of this study was to explore doctors' perceptions of their stress and identify the coping processes associated with this task. A total of 89 physicians of various specialties working in ICUs were included. For evaluation of coping with stress the Inventory to Measure Coping Strategies with Stress (Mini-COPE) was used together with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) to assess the stress level. In 46 respondents (51.7%) a high level of stress was identified. Women were under a higher level of stress than men (P = 0.011). Adaptive stress-coping strategies were more frequently used than maladaptive stress-coping strategies. Planning, active coping and seeking support were the most frequently reported stress-coping strategies while denial, turning to religion, suppression of activities and psychoactive substance use were the least frequently reported stress-coping strategies. Females used both adaptive and maladaptive stress-coping strategies more frequently than males (P > 0.05). Approximately a half of surveyed physicians presented symptoms of a high level of stress, which indicates that it is a very important problem. Further investigations of stress and coping strategies among ICU physicians are necessary.

Psychopathic personality factor “Fearless dominance” is related to low self-reported stress-levels, fewer psychiatric symptoms, and more adaptive stress coping in psychiatric disorders

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to test the idea that the psychopathic trait “Fearless dominance” (FD) may be associated with reduced psychological stress symptoms and better stress coping strategies in psychiatric patients, whereas the factor “Self-centered impulsivity” (SCI) may be associated with more stress and maladaptive stress coping. The investigation included 626 individuals with psychiatric disorders treated in a psychiatric rehabilitation program. The participants were tested with the Psychopathic Personality Inventory Revised (PPI-R) and completed several clinical scales measuring stress experience and stress coping (Symptom-Checklist Revised, Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress, The Stress Coping Style Questionnaire 78). Consistent with the hypothesis, structural equation modeling results showed that self-reported stress levels and adaptive stress coping strategies might be explained by psychopathic FD traits in the psychiatric sample. Supplemental subscale analyses showed that especially the PPI-R scales Stress Immunity and Social Influence were positively related to adaptive stress coping. The second model of SCI did not fit our data well. In conclusion, individuals with psychopathic FD traits may experience less stress symptoms during residential care. Well-designed prospective trials may ultimately answer the question whether psychopathic traits could be viewed as serving a buffer function in the development of depression.

Stress and coping among consultant physicians working in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUNDExposure to stressful working conditions without adequate stress-coping strategies may lead to stress and even psychiatric morbidity. There are a dearth of studies on stress-coping strategies among consultant physicians in the Arabian Gulf.OBJECTIVESDetermine stress-coping strategies among consultants in Saudi Arabia and the relationship of strategies to level of stress.DESIGNAnalytical cross-sectional study.SETTINGSConducted between November 2014 and March 2015 among physician consultants registered at the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.SUBJECTS AND METHODSText messages were used to directly ask consultants to complete an online questionnaire.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESThe 28-item Brief COPE inventory and the Perceived Stress Scale.SAMPLE SIZE582.RESULTSThe consultants were largely males (71%) and Saudi (56%), and their mean age was 46.9 (7.9) years. Adaptive stress-coping strategies were more frequently used than maladaptive stress-coping strategies (68% versus 49%). Stress levels were positively correlated with maladaptive stress-coping strategies (r=0.41, P<.001) and negatively correlated with adaptive stress-coping strategies (r=-0.09, P=.026). Religion was the most frequently reported stress-coping strategy (79.6%) while alcohol drinking or substance use was the least frequently reported stress-coping strategy (28.0%). Females used both adaptive and maladaptive stress-coping strategies more than males (P=.002 and P<.001, respectively). Stress management education/training was positively associated with frequent use of adaptive stress-coping strategies.CONCLUSIONSPhysician consultants generally cope well with work stressors. Nevertheless, there is still a critical need for stress management programs targeting consultants in order to further improve coping strategies.LIMITATIONSThe low response rate may negatively impact the validity and the generalizability of the current findings. The cross-sectional study design precluded the finding of any causal association.

Repeated daily restraint stress induces adaptive behavioural changes in both adult and juvenile mice

Chronic stress is known to be a risk factor for the development of depression and anxiety, disorders which often begin during adolescence. Restraint stress is a commonly used stressor in adult rodents, however the effects of repeated restraint stress in juvenile mice have not been well characterised. Here we have shown for the first time the behavioural and hormonal effects of repeated restraint stress in both adult and juvenile BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Repeated daily restraint stress (2h/day for 3, 7 or 14days) provoked a robust physiological response evident as increased corticosterone levels and decreased body weight after 14days. However, habituation of the stress-response was evident during repeated exposure to the stressor in both adult and juvenile mice. The behavioural changes seen in response to repeated restraint stress were complex. In juvenile mice, repeated restraint stress evoked an increase in exploratory behaviours in the elevated plus maze, a decrease in time spent immobile in the forced swim test and a decrease in sucrose preference. In adult mice fewer behavioural changes were seen. Interestingly BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice showed qualitatively similar response to 3days repeated restraint stress. The behavioural changes we observed, as a result of prior stress exposure, may represent an adaptive stress-coping response or resilience. Both the hormonal and behavioural effects of stress were more pronounced in juvenile mice than in adults. This wider range of behavioural responses seen in juvenile mice might reflect a greater ability to engage in adaptive stress-coping strategies that likely have beneficial effects evident in future stress challenges.

Work-Related Stress and Stress-Coping Strategies among Patients’ Companions at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Providing care to hospitalized patients may be associated with stress, reduced quality of life, and even psychiatric disorders. This case-control study aimed to compare the level of stress (using the 14-question perceived stress scale (PSS-14), potential risk factors, and stress-coping strategies (using the 28-item brief coping scale (BCS-28) between two convenient samples of patients’ companions (56) and administrative employees (98) working in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia. The average PSS-14 was slightly higher in companions than administrative employees (27.4 ± 9.9 vs. 25.1 ± 10.1, p=0.179). After stratifying by gender, the difference in males (but not females) was marginally significant in the unadjusted comparison and significant in the adjusted comparison. Companions had similar scores of adaptive stress-coping strategies but higher scores of maladaptive stress-coping strategies compared with administrative employees. This was especially apparent in the denial and self-distraction strategies. PSS-14 in all participants had a moderate significant positive correlation with maladaptive stress-coping strategies. Companions exhibited a gender-specific slight increase in the level of stress and adopted more maladaptive stresscoping strategies compared with administrative employees. There were no group differences in blood lipids, serum glucose, or cortisol levels.

Work-related stress and stress-coping strategies in residents and administrative employees working in a tertiary care hospital in KSA

Abstract Objectives Work-related stress, a significant problem among medical residents, has an unknown effect on non-clinical healthcare workers. This study aimed to compare work-related stress, potential risk factors, and stress-coping strategies at a tertiary care hospital in the KSA. Methods This case-control study measured work-related stress using a 14-question perceived stress scale (PSS-14), and stress-coping strategies were probed using a 28-item brief coping scale (BCS-28). Results One hundred and forty-seven participants (49 residents and 98 administrative employees), aged 27.9 ± 4.0 years, completed the questionnaire. After adjusting the results for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, the average PSS-14 was found to be significantly higher among residents than among administrative employees (27.65 ± 9.39 vs. 25.09 ± 10.06, p = 0.026). The PSS-14 was significantly associated with the female sex, major medical illnesses, psychiatric disorders, facing stressors and maladaptive stress-coping strategies. The serum cortisol and lipids levels of both groups were similar and were not associated with stress. Overall, the residents had lower adaptive stress-coping strategies. Similar maladaptive stress-coping strategies were recorded in residents and administrative employees. Conclusion Residents perceived higher work-related stress than administrative employees, which is unexplained by differences in socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Focused stress-management training programs are needed for all healthcare workers, especially residents.

Stress Coping, Distress, and Health Perceptions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Community Controls

This study compares a community inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) sample of individuals with a matched non-IBD community sample of individuals on psychological functioning and health perceptions. Participants in the population-based Manitoba IBD Cohort Study (n=388) were directly compared with sex-, age-, and region-matched controls from a national random-sample health survey on the aspects of psychological health, coping, and perceived general health. Overall, the IBD sample had lower psychological well-being and mastery, as well as higher distress than did the non-IBD controls (P<or=0.02). Those with IBD used avoidant coping significantly more often, and active coping modestly more often than did the non-IBD sample; both had similar levels of "self-soothing" behaviors. Patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis had similarly poor levels of functioning along these dimensions compared with the non-IBD sample, as did those with active disease (P<0.01). However, those with inactive disease were similar to the non-IBD sample, and had modestly higher mastery levels. Whereas nearly half of the non-IBD group reported chronic health conditions, those with IBD were threefold more likely to report poorer health (odds ratio 3.07, 95% confidence interval: 2.10-4.47). Psychological factors explained a greater amount of variance in perceived health for the IBD than for the non-IBD sample. Those with IBD have significantly poorer psychological health than do those without IBD and view their general health status more negatively, although adaptive stress-coping strategies were similar. However, when disease is quiescent there is little detriment to functioning. Active disease should be a flag to consider psychological needs in the care of an IBD patient.

Stress-coping strategies among medical residents in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional national study.

Objectives:Maladaptive stress-coping strategies have been linked to reduced quality of life, psychiatric disorders, and reduced work performance among residents or physicians. This study aimed to examine stress-coping strategies among medical residents in Saudi Arabia and their association with stress levels and important personal characteristics.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted between May and October 2012. Residents of different specialties were recruited from a national database. Stress-coping strategies were assessed using the 28-item brief coping scale (BCS), while stress was assessed using the perceived stress scale (PSS).Results:Nine hundred seventeen residents completed both BCS and PSS assessments. Almost 55% of participants were males, 88% were Saudi, 58% were married, and 15% had positive history of psychiatric disorders. The adaptive stress-coping strategy with the highest score was religion, followed by planning, acceptance, and active coping. The maladaptive stress-coping strategy with the highest score was self-blame, followed by self-distraction, and venting. Maladaptive stress-coping strategies were associated with high stress level, female gender, and history of psychiatric disorders. Stress-coping strategies were not correlated/associated with age, presence of major medical illnesses, or stress management education/training.Conclusion:Adaptive stress-coping strategies were more frequently used among a sample of residents in Saudi Arabia than maladaptive stress-coping strategies, with higher use of religion in coping than previously reported. To avoid potential negative impact on resident well-being, future studies among residents should aim to identify the type of stress management program that most positively impacts stress-coping skills.