Approach Coping Research Articles

Water Sharing as Disaster Response: Coping With Water Insecurity After Hurricane MarÍa

In 2017, Hurricane María left more than a third of Puerto Rican households without water services. Cascading failures—including the simultaneous collapse of water, electricity, and transportation sectors—presented serious challenges to the timely restoration of governmental services. In response, families across Puerto Rico adopted self-organized coping strategies to obtain the basic resources they needed, including safe and sufficient water. Drawing on the fast-growing literature on household water sharing, we examine how Puerto Rican families shared water as a response to disaster. Using participant-observation data, interviews, and social network data, we studied water-sharing networks in three municipalities—urban, peri-urban, and rural—in western Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane María. We found that extensive water sharing (in 85% of households) spontaneously emerged in the wake of disaster, in previously water-secure rural, peri-urban, and urban communities. Households relied primarily on kin and neighbors, and women had more extensive sharing networks than men. Water-sharing arrangements were typically a form of generalized reciprocity, with little expectation of direct payback. We conclude that water-sharing networks are an important—but understudied and underutilized—component of disaster response. Our research indicates that water sharing should be more explicitly planned for and included in disaster preparedness plans. If water sharing is the dominant approach for coping with disaster-induced water insecurity, we argue, it must be at the core of disaster response.

Colorectal Cancer Surgery: Influence of Psychosocial Factors.

(1) Background: In the treatment of colorectal cancer, it is important to consider different psychosocial factors. Our first objective was to measure the levels of perceived stress in subjects diagnosed with colorectal cancer awaiting potentially curative surgery. Also, we aimed to analyse what coping styles these patients used, how they perceived their illness, and the subsequent influence of these factors on their levels of stress. (2) Methods: Stress, coping styles and illness perception were assessed in a sample of 107 patients. The instruments used were the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), the Stress Coping Questionnaire (SCQ) and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ-R). (3) Results: Patients using active coping styles have lower levels of perceived stress (p = 0.000; p = 0.002) than patients making use of passive coping styles (p = 0.000; p = 0.032; p = 0.001). A multi-linear regression model found that the perception of illness and the use of the negative approach coping style (p = 0.000; p = 0.001) influence an increase in perceived stress, and that a decrease in stress levels was influenced by the problem solving coping style (p = 0.001). (4) Conclusions: Based on our results, we recommend preventive interventions in care patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

Integration of a wellness smartphone application in a school of pharmacy

Background: Evidence suggests that professionals experience stress, with various coping approaches detailed in the literature. Objective: To describe the integration of and engagement with a wellness smartphone application (app) in a school of pharmacy. Methods: The School of Pharmacy faculty, staff, and students were given subscriptions to Wellspace, a mobile health app. Aggregate data were analysed to determine factors that influence user engagement, activity, and well-being. Results: Eighty percent of didactic students and 46 faculty/staff downloaded the app. The highest rate of overall monthly user engagement (39%) was during the first month but declined throughout the time of the study (5%). Competitions for wellness-related prizes led to significantly higher engagement rates and number of steps. The presence of competitions correlated with a higher percentage of engagement (r = 0.53), number of engaged users (r = 0.53), and number of steps (r = 0.49). Conclusion: A wellness app was integrated within a school of pharmacy; however, poor usage limited the utility of data captured.

How do family caregivers of older adults cope with relationship strain?

Objective Studies of families’ experiences with caregiving to older adults most often focus on overall burden and stress. Yet, caregiving is also a type of relationship, and the onset of caregiving can contribute to relationship strain between care partners. Despite implications for both care partners, little is known about how caregivers cope with caregiving relationship strain. Methods The authors conducted nine focus groups and 8 interviews with a purposeful sample of racially and ethnically diverse family caregivers in Los Angeles. Conventional content analysis was applied to transcripts to identify how caregivers cope with relationship strain. Results Analyses revealed four overall coping approaches to manage relationship strain: (1) Self-Care; (2) Adapting Behaviors, (3) Adapting Feelings and Cognitions, and (4) Help and Support. Selected strategies likely vary by care recipient condition. For example, caregivers for persons living with dementia emphasize adapting their own behaviors and feelings, rather than trying to change their loved one’s behaviors. Conclusions Findings suggest that caregivers cope with relationship strain using both interpersonal tension and care management strategies. We also identified possible variations by care recipient condition and caregiver race and ethnicity. These results suggest a need for interventions focused on caregiver coping should also be tested for effects on relationship strain.

THE TURKISH VERSION OF THE COPING RESPONSES INVENTORY ADULT FORM (CRI-A) AND TESTING ITS PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES

Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping highlights the significance of community- individual interaction in coping. Accordingly, CRI-A, as developed by Moos involves four sub-dimensions for each of approach and avoidance coping responses. The aim of this research to evaluate the psychometric properties of CRI-A. Data were collected from a total of 400 university students whose ages vary between 17- 48. Of the 250 participants, the validity of the Inventory has been tested through exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and correlations with Stress Coping Styles (SCSI), Locus of Control (LCI), and Eysenck Personality (EPI) Inventories. With the remaining 150 students, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) has been conducted. The results indicate that alpha coefficients of approach and avoidance subtests of CRI-A range between .60-.70, and .53-.68, respectively. CRI-A and most SCSI subtests, CRI-A’s avoidance and LCI scores, and CRI-A and EPI scores yielded significant correlations. The CFA showed good fit indices for the factor structure extracted from EFA. The findings provide acceptable evidence for the validity and reliability of CRI-A.

Healthy Lifestyle, Coping, and Adaptation of Public Health Nurses Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic in Selected Municipalities of Isabela Basis for Wellness Intervention Program

Considering the struggles with this kind of situation, the COVID-19 pandemic restored the appreciation for healthy lifestyle behaviors as well as the coping and adaption techniques of Public Health Nurses (PHNs). The study assessed the PHNs' coping, adaptation, and healthy lifestyle practices; the significant relationship between their healthy lifestyle practices and coping and adaptation styles based on their profile; and the possible need to intervene based on the results of the study through a wellness intervention program. Descriptive-correlational study was conducted in the adopted municipalities from the southern part of Isabela namely Echague and Alicia, through a survey method. The study's findings suggest that PHNs' healthy lifestyle behaviors, as well as their coping and adapting techniques, were effective throughout the onset of COVID-19. Furthermore, the findings revealed that older respondents (36-50 years old) are more likely to follow healthy lifestyle practices in the domain of nutrition (M = 4.15), whereas married respondents (M = 3.66) are more likely to engage in physical activity on a regular basis than their younger counterparts. In comparison to contractual employees, permanent employees with an average of (M = 4.19) are more conscious of their role function as part of their coping and adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the association between respondents' healthy lifestyle, coping, and adaption approaches demonstrates a substantial positive relationship, particularly in terms of nutrition and physiologic adaptation with an r-value of 0.745 at a 0.001 p-value, physical activity and physiologic mode with an r-value of 0.669 at a 0.001 p-value, and physiologic mode and stress management with an r-value of 0.655 at a 0.001 p-value. Moreover, the domains of stress management and self-concept mode also show a strong positive relationship with an r-value of 0.698 at a 0.001 p-value.

Social messages toward women living with spouses who have alcohol use disorder

AbstractObjectiveThis study explored the perceptions, lived experiences, and coping approaches of women who live with spouses who have alcohol use disorder (AUD) in response to implicit and explicit messages from professionals and others in their environment.BackgroundWomen who live with a spouse with AUD are affected by their spouses' behavior and experience high levels of mental stress. These women are viewed as problem‐solvers and rescuers, on the one hand, or as enablers and “codependents” on the other. These attitudes may reflect society's ideas of women's gender‐related caretaking role.MethodSemistructured interviews were conducted with 12 women whose spouses had a diagnosis of lifetime AUD.ResultsContent analysis yielded three themes regarding the kinds of messages the women received: responsible and guilty, distanced and silenced, and reinforced and supported. The women indicated internalization of these messages and expressed they felt guilty, ashamed, and excluded, but in some cases, strengthened.ConclusionSociety and the people around these women bear responsibility for the negative images they internalize.ImplicationsAwareness of the implicit and explicit messages conveyed to these women is needed. Specific interventions should be designed to validate their difficulties and support them.

Optimizing the Marketing Strategies Through Social Media Marketing Analysis

Social Media Marketing (SMM), which refers to the use of social media as a branding strategy, is one of the most prominent study subjects in consumer marketing. Some scholars have studied the development of SMM strategies, but there is a lack of uniformity in the interpretation of the two-sided impact of SMM on brands and consumers, and the coping approaches to negative effects are controversial. This paper analyses the basis of consumer buying behaviour in identifying brand marketing in SMM, discusses the influence of influencer marketing in SMM and suggests the role of SMM in building brand image. The results show that the influence of SMM is twofold and suggests that brands should be positive and avoid negativity when marketing, give full play to the emotional and personalised marketing model in SMM, focus on influencer selection and increase interactive marketing with consumers.

The Influence of Locus of Control in the Choice of Coping Strategies for Teachers

Key words: strategy of coping and self-control, internal external processes, stress, coping behavior, coping resources, coping mechanisms The article discusses the theoretical approaches of coping, coping behavior, coping strategies and locus of control. A brief theoretical analysis of the theory of coping, the components of coping strategies, the definition and role of locus of control is presented. In the context of the modernization of education and the intensive search for new technologies in educational practice, the issue of maintaining the psychological health of a school teacher becomes a matter of extreme importance. There is a positive relationship between the presence of certain coping strategies and the degree of emotional burnout of teachers, namely, teachers with a formed phase of emotional burnout are dominated by non-adaptive coping strategies, while teachers with an unformed phase of emotional burnout are dominated by non-adaptive coping strategies. Also the article presents the data of our empirical study and their analysis based on a sample of teachers, in which the dependence of coping strategies on the locus of control was revealed. The nature and method of overcoming stressful situations is a special category of resources for stress resistance and coping techniques, which includes strategies and models of coping behavior or coping strategies. The preconditions for the formation of a burnout syndrome, requires the use of unproductive coping mechanisms, such as the non-adaptive mental processes and unproductive emotional and behavioral responses. We revealed significant relationships between coping strategies in problem solving and two scales of subjective control: internalization and general internalizing attitudes towards health and illness, as well as an inverse relationship between problem avoidance coping strategies and internalization of achievements. Based on the semantic meaning of the locus of control in the theory of J. Rotter and the coping strategy in the interpretation of D. Amirkhan, it can be assumed that the locus of control is a more fundamental personal characteristic than the strategy of coping behavior itself, and it is the locus of control that influences the choice of strategy. DOI։ https://doi.org/10.58726/27382915-2023.1-438

Psychological status and coping measures of individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and imparts substantial economic burden on individuals and health systems. Anxiety and depression were almost three times more common in COPD patients compared to the participants from the general population. Objectives: To assess the psychological status and coping measures of individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional research was conducted in medical outpatient department of Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital from 2019 Nov 20 to 2020 May 20 after institutional ethical clearance. Total 185 individuals diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease seeking medical care were included in the study by using purposive sampling. Data collection was done through face-to-face interview technique using Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-10 and Brief Cope inventory. The collected data were analysed using SPSS software version 20. Results: Based on a cut-off value of ?1.85 of Hopkins symptoms checklist-10, almost all (180, 97.3%) patients had mental distress. Frequently used approach coping subscales by the patients were emotional support (82, 44.2%), religion (81, 42%), planning (80, 41.8%), and active coping (80, 41.7%). Similarly, mostly used avoidance coping were: denial (80, 41.8%), venting (79, 41.1%), and self-blame (78, 40.6%). Conclusion: Almost all patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases had predicted mental distress and they were using both approach and avoidance coping measures.

Emotional Eating in College Students: Associations with Coping and Healthy Eating Motivators and Barriers.

Emotional eating, or eating in response to stress and other negative affective states, bears negative consequences including excessive weight gain and heightened risk of binge eating disorder. Responding to stress with emotional eating is not universal, and it is important to elucidate under what circumstances and by what mechanisms stress is associated with emotional eating. This is particularly important to understand among college students, who are at risk of experiencing heightened stress and negative changes to dietary habits. The present study investigated the relationships among perceived stress, emotional eating, coping, and barriers to and motivators of healthy eating both concurrently and 1year later in a sample of young adult college students (n = 232). At baseline, emotional eating was significantly associated with perceived stress (r = 0.36, p < .001), barriers to (r = 0.31, p < .001) and motivators of (r = - 0.14, p < .05) healthy eating, and avoidance coping (r = 0.37, p < .001), but not approach coping. Furthermore, avoidance coping mediated (indirect effect b = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.13, 0.61) and moderated (b = - 0.07, p = 0.04) the relationship between perceived stress and emotional eating. Contrary to study hypotheses, baseline stress levels were not associated with emotional eating 1year later. College students who utilize avoidance coping strategies may be particularly susceptible to the effects of stress on emotional eating. Healthy eating interventions targeting college students might address stress coping strategies in addition to reduction of barriers to healthy eating.

EXPLORE THE CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT SCENARIO OF URBAN CITIES IN BANGLADESH: A QUALITATIVE APPROACH

Bangladesh is one of the vulnerable countries which is mostly exposed to the influences of climate change and along with urban areas being particularly at-risk severity. This paper explores the climate change effect scenario of lower and middle-income (LMIC) urban cities in Bangladesh using a qualitative approach. The study aims to categorize the current and potential forthcoming effects of climate change on LMIC urban cities in Bangladesh, as well as the coping and adaptation approaches adopted by the municipal communities. This study was conducted in three LMIC urban cities of Bangladesh, namely Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna, using semi-structured key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with local government officials, community leaders and key representatives from relevant NGOs. The results of the study show that LMIC urban municipalities in Bangladesh are already experiencing various influences of natural calamities and hazards, such as cyclone, heavy rainfall, flooding, waterlogging, heatwaves, cold wave and sea-level rise high &amp; low tide etc. These include the expansion of early warning systems, flood control measures, and the promotion of sustainable urban development practices. The study also exposes that local communities have developed various coping and adaptation strategies, including the construction of flood-resistant structures, water management systems, and awareness-raising campaigns on climate change. Overall, the study highlights on the urgent requirement for policymakers, urban planners, and others key stakeholders to take proactive procedures to address the impacts of climate change on LMIC urban cities in Bangladesh. The study underscores the importance of accepting a multi-stakeholder approach that contains the active participation of all relevant stakeholders in developing and executing effective adaptation tactics. The findings of this study have important suggestions for policy and practice in Bangladesh and other LMIC countries. The study highlights the need for more comprehensive and integrated approaches to climate change adaptation in LMIC urban cities, which should take into account the social, economic, and political context of these areas. The study also emphasizes the importance of community-based and participatory methods to climate change adaptation, which can increase the resilience and adaptive capacity of urban local communities.

Life in the open: Preferences for openness as a substrate of well-being

Image schemas, such as those contrasting open and closed objects, are thought to play a fundamental role in self-regulation. Open objects encourage interactivity, which should contribute to well-being according to theories that emphasize processes such as engagement, exploration, and personal growth. On the basis of such reasoning, participants in three studies (total N = 889) were asked to indicate their relative preferences for the spatial concepts of closed versus open, which were hypothesized to reflect key motivations related to protection versus exploration. In Study 1, higher levels of open preference were predictive of higher levels of flourishing, a relationship that was evident across four samples. In Study 2, open-preferring individuals scored higher in multiple forms of well-being. In addition, these individuals were deemed to be flourishing to a greater extent by their peers. In Study 3, an open-closed preference slider was embedded into a daily diary protocol and higher levels of open preference were predictive of higher levels of affective and psychological well-being in both between-person and within-person analyses. In additional analyses, open preferences were linked to higher levels of approach coping and to higher levels of goal achievement. In total, the results provide key insights into orientations to the environment that are either conducive (open preferences) or not conducive (closed preferences) to well-being and flourishing.

Uncertainty and coping in patients with newly diagnosed indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (iNHL).

7568 Background: iNHLs are a heterogenous group of incurable diseases with prolonged illness courses requiring intermittent periods of surveillance and treatment. Due to illness uncertainty, patients with iNHL struggle with immense psychological distress. Yet, studies exploring coping, prognostic uncertainty and distress in this population are limited. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study of adults (age ≥ 18) newly diagnosed with iNHL at a single academic center. We enrolled consecutive patients who were diagnosed ≤ 3 months prior to study enrollment. At baseline, we collected patient reported outcomes to assess QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy), psychological symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), prognostic understanding (Prognostic Awareness Impact Scale), and coping (Brief COPE). We categorized coping as approach-oriented (active coping, use of emotional support, positive reframing, acceptance) and avoidant (behavioral disengagement, denial, and self-blame). We used median split to differentiate between low and high utilizers of approach or avoidant coping. Results: We enrolled 70.6% (48/68) of eligible patients newly diagnosed with iNHL (mean age 66.8 yrs; 39.6% chronic lymphocytic leukemia/ lymphoma; 33.3% follicular lymphoma). At baseline, nearly one-third (31.2%) experience clinically significant symptoms of anxiety and depression. 45.8% of patients identified prognostic uncertainty as the “the most stressful part of being a patient,” and 31.2% reported having “difficulty letting go of thoughts about their prognosis.” Notably, patients had significant misperceptions about their prognosis with incurable iNHL, as 47.9% reporting that a cure was at least ‘somewhat’ likely. Patients with iNHL most often used acceptance (56.3%), denial (47.9%), and emotional support (47.9%) as coping strategies. Patients who were high utilizers of multiple approach-oriented coping strategies experienced fewer anxiety (B = -2.66, p = 0.01) and depression (B = -1.73, p = 0.02) symptoms and improved QOL (B = 9.43, p = 0.001). Patients who highly utilized any avoidant-oriented coping strategies experienced increased anxiety symptoms (B = 2.16, p = 0.05), but no difference in depression symptoms or QOL. Conclusions: Patients with iNHL report immense prognostic uncertainty and psychological distress. Use of multiple approach oriented coping strategies was associated with decreased psychological distress and improved QOL. Interventions to address prognostic uncertainty and to promote approach oriented coping in patients with iNHL are sorely needed and have the potential to ameliorate psychological distress and improve QOL in this vulnerable population.

Is the digital security act 2018 sufficient to avoid cyberbullying in Bangladesh? A quantitative study on young women from generation-z of Dhaka city

PurposeCyberbullying has yet to be thoroughly investigated from the perspective of Gen-Z women, and it is vital to determine how this law influences these young women to avoid cyberbullying. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to fill a knowledge vacuum by confirming the technology threat avoidance theory utilizing both adaptive (avoidance motivation) and maladaptive (wishful thinking) approaches. Design/methodology/approachTo gather data from Gen-Z women in Dhaka, we employed a purposive sampling strategy, which yielded 252 valid replies. After that, there were three steps to the evaluation: a measuring model, a structural model, and a mediation analysis. FindingsSeven out of ten hypotheses were found to be significant, with variances of 73.4% and 10.5% for avoidance motivation and wishful thinking, respectively. Furthermore, rather than having a direct influence on coping approaches, the perceived threat had an indirect effect through the mediation effect of perceived avoidability. Practical implicationsThis study takes into account Gen-Z women's motivation to be protected from cyberbullying, paving the way for the passage of the digital security act 2018. The data also reveal how to teach these young ladies about the threats of cyberbullying and how to defend themselves. Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to look at the factors that influence Gen-Z women's motivation to use the digital security act 2018 to address cyberbullying. In addition, wishful thinking has been newly included as an emotional coping strategy in this context, along with the present avoidance motivation of TTAT.

Psychology in orthopedics and traumatology: an instructional review.

Mental health is important as a predictor of outcomes after orthopedic treatment. Psychological parameters (e.g. expectations, coping strategies, personality) are as important as biological and mechanical factors in the severity of musculoskeletal complaints and treatment results. Orthopedic surgeons should not only treat physical conditions but also address psychosocial factors. If necessary, they should refer to clinical psychologists. Multidisciplinary approach, patient-oriented treatment, (psycho)education, emotional support, and teaching coping strategies are elements of psychosocial attention within orthopedics and traumatology.

Covid-19 emergency and telemedicine: multifamily psychoeducational intervention in a forensic setting.

The aim is to describe remote multifamily psychoeducational intervention led by REMS "Castore" team (an Italian health care facility for offenders who suffer from mental disorders and socially dangerous) in ASL Roma 5, a local health authority, during covid-19 emergency. The applied theoretical models have been the integrated psychoeducational intervention by I. Falloon and the multifamily psychoeducational intervention based on problem solving by F. Veltro. The multifamily psychoeducational intervention was attempted by inpatients' relatives from June to August 2020 with 8 weekly meetings of 90' each led by two psychiatric rehabilitation therapists and healthcare experts. Six families were involved in the study and its members were assessed by questionnaire on family problems, Brief-COPE and general health questionnaire tests. Users were assessed by Level of Expressed Emotion Scale test for their expressed emotion. Data analysis highlighted the general low level of subjective and objective burden for family members in association with a high perception of that support provided by REMS. Furthermore, the study has shown those coping approaches oriented to the research of practical solutions, acceptance of events and assertive communication. The low subjective and objective burden may be attributed to implicit security conditions in REMS and the absence of tasks mainly carried out by experts. Those coping styles oriented to more practical than emotional approaches suggest an emotional hyper control or stigma perception leading to isolation and loneliness. The multifamily psychoeducational intervention has allowed a trustworthy relationship with REMS. Considering that the families involved in the study have never benefited by other psychoeducational interventions before, their early involvement appears to be a potential tool for preventing and managing crisis as well as minimizing recidivism.

COVID-19 Mental Health Impact and Readiness to Be Vaccinated Among Medical Academic Staff in Non-EU and EU Countries

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the worst public health catastrophe in recent history, impacting people's mental health and increasing concern over vaccinations. Between early May and late June 2021, a web-based survey that included higher education institutions from three countries (Albania, Belgium, and Cyprus) was conducted. The purpose was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of academic staff, what affects their readiness to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and whether there is a link between the country of residence and readiness to be vaccinated. The short version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Score (DASS) questionnaire and a section of questions on vaccination readiness supported by the Health Belief Model were used for data collection. The final study sample was composed of 87 academics, both in Albania (n = 57) and in European Union (EU) countries (n = 30). Females comprised 91.2% of the Albanian participants and 63.3% of the EU countries participants. 89.7% of Albanian participants reported significantly higher proportions of prior COVID-19 (p = 0.001), compared to only 10.3% of EU country participants. Participants from Albania were less likely to vaccinate family members against COVID-19, and there was a significant association between this finding and whether an institution was affiliated with the EU (p = 0.007). In the two study groups, the DASS indicators showed a significant association between stress (p = 0.012) and depression (p = 0.011). The findings indicated that the pandemic affected the academic staff's mental health. When compared to academic staff members working in the EU, Albanian participants exhibited a larger prevalence of moderate-to-extremely severe depression and stress, which had an impact on their intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19. The results are essential to developing mental health coping strategies and approaches for increasing vaccination uptake, especially in developing countries.

Effect of psychosocial stress and coping strategies on non-surgical periodontal therapy in patients with generalized stage III/IV periodontitis: a longitudinal intervention study

ObjectivesThe aim of this longitudinal intervention study was to assess the impact of psychosocial stress and coping response strategies on the clinical outcomes in periodontitis patients treated with non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT).Materials and methodsAfter the administration of psychological questionnaires, patients diagnosed with generalized stage III–IV periodontitis were categorized into different groups depending on their stress levels (10-item perceived stress level (PSS-10)) and coping response strategies (coping responses inventory (CRI)). Clinical data were collected 1 week before and 3 months after the completion of NSPT.ResultsOf the 90 patients included at baseline, 27 presented major and 63 minor stress levels, while 40 had avoidance and 50 approach coping behavior. All clinical parameters were similar at the baseline across different categories. At re-evaluation, full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS), mean probing pocket depth (PPD), and number of residual pathological pockets were significantly superior in groups with higher stress levels (p <0.001, p =0.001, and p =0.020, respectively), while higher full-mouth plaque scores (FMPS) and FMBS were found in patients with avoidance coping strategies (p =0.009 and p <0.001, respectively). When jointly evaluated, an added detrimental effect of coping styles on allostatic load was observed. Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant effect of stress levels and coping strategies on final FMBS, but not of coping on mean PPD.ConclusionPsychosocial stress and avoidance coping strategy seem to negatively influence the clinical outcomes of NSPT at short term (NCT04739475; 9/1/2017).Practical implicationsBased on these findings, patients reflecting these psychological profiles should be considered at greater risk for poor NSPT response and may benefit from complementary stress management strategies.

Positive Schemas, Coping, and Quality of Life in Pediatric Recurrent Abdominal Pain.

Pediatric recurrent abdominal pain is commonly associated with negative impacts on quality of life (QOL). Positive schemas (core beliefs about the self with subthemes of self-efficacy, optimism, trust, success, and worthiness) are a resilience factor that has not yet been examined within a pediatric recurrent pain context. This cross-sectional study examined (a) associations between positive schemas, pain coping, and youth QOL, and (b) exploratory analyses to investigate whether specific positive schema subthemes predicted QOL outcomes in youth with recurrent abdominal pain. Participants were 98 youth with recurrent abdominal pain (i.e., pain related to a disorder of gut-brain interaction [DGBI] or organic cause) who completed measures on positive schemas, QOL, and pain coping. Age and diagnostic status were controlled for in analyses. Positive schemas were significantly positively correlated with emotional, social, school, and overall QOL, as well as with approach and problem-focused avoidant coping, and significantly negatively correlated with emotion-focused coping. Worthiness was the strongest and only significant predictor of youth social functioning. Positive schemas may be an important cognitive resilience factor to consider within interventions for pediatric recurrent pain.