Cognitive Coping Strategies Research Articles

Cognitive Avoidance Is Associated with Decreased Brain Responsiveness to Threat Distractors under High Perceptual Load.

Cognitive coping strategies to deal with anxiety-provoking events have an impact on mental and physical health. Dispositional vigilance is characterized by an increased analysis of the threatening environment, whereas cognitive avoidance comprises strategies to inhibit threat processing. To date, functional neuroimaging studies on the neural underpinnings of these coping styles are scarce and have revealed discrepant findings. In the present study, we examined automatic brain responsiveness as a function of coping styles using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We administered a perceptual load paradigm with contemptuous and fearful faces as distractor stimuli in a sample of N = 43 healthy participants. The Mainz Coping Inventory was used to assess cognitive avoidance and vigilance. An association of cognitive avoidance with reduced contempt and fear processing under high perceptual load was observed in a widespread network including the amygdala, thalamus, cingulate gyrus, insula, and frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital areas. Our findings indicate that the dispositional tendency to divert one's attention away from distressing stimuli is a valuable predictor of diminished automatic neural responses to threat in several cortical and subcortical areas. A reduced processing in brain regions involved in emotion perception and attention might indicate a potential threat resilience associated with cognitive avoidance.

Apologizing for One’s Own Actions: Cognitive Coping Strategies, Social Support, and Ego-Resiliency

自身の行為が謝罪に値するかもしれない状況下，どのようなコーピング方略を用い，それらが謝罪するかどうかにどう影響するか，さらに，ソーシャルサポートの有無やエゴ・レジリエンシー（ER）が，それらにどのような影響を及ぼすかを検討するため，20代（N＝834）を対象にウェブ調査を実施した。研究協力者は自身のERについて自己評定し，さらに人に暴言を吐いたというシナリオを提示され，自身がその人だと想定して，いかにその状況で反応するかを回答するよう教示された。研究協力者は周りからサポートを提供される支援群，提供されない静観群にランダムに割り振られた。

Coping Strategies for Online Learning from Home

The closure of schools as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation where parents have to take an active role in their children's learning process. This fact has generated both positive and negative emotions and behaviors that had not been evidenced before. Therefore, the present study aims to examine the coping strategies used by parents and their perceptions regarding online learning methods during the pandemic. The research was carried out with a mixed approach, where 201 parents with children in elementary school were recruited through social networks. In the quantitative part, the results revealed that cognitive and spiritual coping strategies predominated, motivated by the level of parental involvement in their children's education. On the other hand, in the qualitative part, a semi-structured interview was used focusing on social relationship, self-blame, and planning, where the emotional and affective bond that parents provided to their children during this period was highlighted. However, their concern and frustration were also evidenced by not having the necessary competencies to support their children's tasks and being unfamiliar with the use of technology, so they sought help from specialists and family members to obtain technological and didactic support that would allow sustaining the parent-school dyad in the transition to online learning from home. These findings lead to a rethink of learning management from the perspective of parents, which gives rise to a digital communication model that links the cognitive, affective, and spiritual aspects.

Can Virtual Reality Cognitive Rehabilitation Improve Executive Functioning and Coping Strategies in Traumatic Brain Injury? A Pilot Study

Executive dysfunction is among the most common and disabling facets of cognitive impairment following traumatic brain injury (TBI), and may include deficits in reasoning, planning, mental flexibility, some aspects of attention and orientation, awareness and behavior. Rehabilitation programs based on cognitive-behavioral approaches to retrain planning and problem-solving and other executive deficits may improve such cognitive dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of non-immersive virtual reality-based training to improve executive abilities and to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with TBI. Twenty patients with moderate to severe TBI were enrolled at our Neurorehabilitation Unit and divided to receive either the standard cognitive training or the virtual reality (VR) based cognitive training using the virtual reality rehabilitation system (VRRS-Evo). Each group received the same amount of rehabilitative training, including ROT (Reality Orientation Therapy) and Executive Training (ET), but using a different approach, i.e., a paper and pencil and an advanced approach. All patients were evaluated with a specific psychometric battery before (T0) and after the end (T1) of each program. Comparing pre- and post- treatment scores, in the VR-CT group, we found statistically significant differences in all administered outcome measures for cognitive and executive functioning, i.e., MoCA (p < 0.005), FAB (p < 0.005), TMT-A (p < 0.005), TMT-B (p < 0.005), TMT-BA (p < 0.001), and mood, i.e., HRS-D (p < 0.008). In the Conventional cognitive training (C-CT) group, we found a significant improvement only in MoCA (p < 0.03), FAB (p < 0.02) and in TMT-BA (p < 0.01). Coping strategies also improved, with better results in the VR-CT group. Our results suggest that VR rehabilitation, using the VRRS system, may be a valuable and motivational approach to improve visuo-executive abilities and coping strategies as well as mood in chronic TBI patients.

Posttraumatic stress disorder, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout in frontline workers in homelessness services: risk and protective factors

ABSTRACT People experiencing homelessness (PEH) frequently have multiple and complex needs that may contribute to interpersonal difficulties that affect their relationships with services. As a result, professionals working in frontline homelessness services are frequently exposed to primary trauma (e.g. workplace aggression, crisis situations) and secondary trauma (e.g. hearing about service users’ traumatic experiences). This cross-sectional study explored organizational and individual factors in relation to three related but distinct facets of work-related distress: posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), secondary traumatic stress (STS), and burnout. A sample of 139 frontline workers in UK homelessness services completed an inventory of 15 possible distressing workplace experiences and four psychometric questionnaires. Results clearly evidence that frontline workers are exposed to high levels of potentially traumatic incidents at work and that this is associated with significant distress, with 23% of the sample meeting the threshold for PTSD diagnosis. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses identified trauma exposure and the use of “maladaptive” cognitive coping strategies as strong predictors of PTSD and STS, while organizational culture and compassion satisfaction were protective against burnout. These findings have important service implications, and recommendations are made regarding trauma- and psychologically informed approaches that organizations can implement to effectively support their employees.

Investigating the mediating effects of insight between decentring and cognitive coping process

The study aimed to test whether insight mediates decentering and cognitive coping processes in adaptive and maladaptive types. One hundred and fifty-five Chinese adult participants were recruited to complete an online survey, to report their level of decentering, insight, and cognitive coping strategies. The results of the simple regression analyses showed decentering positively predicted adaptive cognitive coping, and negatively predicted maladaptive cognitive coping process to a moderate degree. Mediation analyses revealed the mediating effect of insight only occurred in the relationship between decentering and maladaptive cognitive coping strategies, suggesting less decentering predicted greater maladaptive cognitive coping processes via a lower level of insight. The study contributed to the new understanding of the decentering mechanism of the cognitive coping process. Insight had a stronger effect on maladaptive cognitive coping than on adaptive cognitive coping strategies. The study provided recommendations to improve outcome effectiveness in mental health intervention. Keywords: Cognitive coping process, cognition, decentering, insight, metacognitive

Effects of Teaching Efficacy, Advocacy, and Knowledge on Coping and Well-Being of Dual Language Immersion Teachers

ABSTRACT In the United States, there is a nationwide shortage of bilingual teachers, but limited research on factors that contribute to their burnout and attrition. This exploratory multiple case study aimed to identify stressors unique to Spanish-English bilingual teachers and how they cope with these stressors. Interviews with two dual language immersion teachers over the course of four months revealed multiple, significant stressors including instructional demands unique to the students they serve, workplace bullying, and lack of administrative support. Although teachers adopted palliative coping strategies, their high sense of teaching efficacy and advocacy for their students were major mitigating factors to burnout. In addition to teaching efficacy, competence in pedagogy and workplace engagement were mitigating factors to well-being. Teachers avoided burnout because of their high eudaimonic well-being (the subjective experiences associated with living a life of virtue in pursuit of human excellence) coupled with direct cognitive and behavioral coping strategies leading to an increase in job-related well-being and retention. That is, their coping strategies moderated the impact of a district culture that was perceived as negative.

The relationship of psychological well-being and cognitive emotions with breastfeeding self-efficacy in mothers in the postpartum period.

To determine the relationship of psychological well-being and cognitive emotion regulation and breastfeeding self-efficacy in mothers in the postpartum period. The research was designed as cross-sectional and correlational and carried out between 1 November 2021 and 1 January 2022 in the pediatric outpatient clinic of a Medical Faculty Hospital of a province in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey. Responses from a total of 325 mothers who were in postpartum 1-6 months were analyzed. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). The following factors were found to be important associated risk factors that negatively affected breastfeeding self-efficacy in 29% of the mothers (F=14.536, p<.001): mothers' poor mental health, using self-blaming maladaptive cognitive coping strategy, inability to use positive reappraisal coping strategy, and feeding the baby only formula or both breast milk and formula. Weak and positive correlations were found between psychological well-being of mothers and adaptive cognitive coping subdimensions, and negative and weak correlations were found between psychological well-being of the mothers and maladaptive cognitive coping subdimensions (p<.001). Breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers in a well psychological state, who can use adaptive cognitive coping strategies, and who exclusively breastfeed their babies is positively affected.

Everybody Copes: An Interprofessional Workshop on Stress, Coping, and Helping Primary Care Patients Manage Medical Stressors.

The value of psychological principles has become apparent in medical settings, especially with the rise of patient-centered care. We aimed to provide a curriculum informing medical providers about the theoretical basis and clinical utility of the social-cognitive model of stress and coping. This workshop was delivered to an interprofessional team of faculty and trainees. Our initial pedagogical approach was to relate the concepts of cognitive appraisals and coping strategies to participants' own stress responses. We then used didactic presentation and small-group activities to explore ways to promote adaptive coping with patients to improve health outcomes. Learners participated in a mindfulness exercise, conceptualized coping strategies given a hypothetical case scenario, and, in small groups, role-played a patient encounter to construct an effective coping repertoire for the patient. Participants completed a prework self-assessment and workshop evaluation form. The 2.5-hour workshop had 48 participants from five professions (medicine, education, physician assistant, pharmacology, psychology). We received 35 evaluations (73% response rate). Learners reported increased real-world skills (M = 8.0 out of 10) and feeling better prepared for working in interprofessional settings (M = 7.6 out of 10). Qualitative feedback suggested that participants recognized the importance of individual differences in coping with stress and felt they could categorize strategies into emotion- or problem-focused coping. This workshop provided participants with basic knowledge about the social-cognitive model of stress and coping and allowed them to practice newly learned skills in a role-play as an interprofessional medical care team.

The effect of Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) in cognitive impairment and coping strategies in Parkinson's disease: a preliminary study

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by different motor, vegetative, behavioral, and cognitive impairments, with worsening quality of life. Virtual reality devices have given promising results in neurorehabilitation as they can provide multisensory stimulation in a realistic environment. This study aims to test the efficacy of virtual reality training by using Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment in cognitive impairment in a sample of PD. 31 patients affected by PD were enrolled. All PD patients underwent 24 sessions of Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment training. The participants were assessed at baseline (T0) and after two months (T1). Our results suggested that Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment training may be effective in the cognitive and emotional domains, particularly by improving executive function, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. These changes have helped to improve self-efficacy and coping strategies. These results indicate greater cognitive and physical effort to overcome stressors. Our results show that Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment training was beneficial in improving cognitive functions. Longer duration training may be especially beneficial for patients with mild cognitive impairment. Our findings open the door to tailored personalized treatments based on the patient's motor and cognitive profiles.

Illness Perception and Coping Strategies on the Perceived Quality of Life in Adults with Coronary Heart Diseases: A Model Evaluation

Background: Patients' perceptions of illness can influence their compliance with medical recommendations and, consequently, their perceived quality of life. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate illness perception in patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on 300 individuals with CHD, who were selected from the specialized heart clinics affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2018 using the convenient method. The researcher used the brief illness perception questionnaire (B-IPQ), the coping schemas inventory (CSI), and a 3-item questionnaire (designed by the researcher) to collect data. The Data were analyzed by the Structural Equation Modeling Modeling (path analysis) in LISREL based on the Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) at P &lt; 0.01 and P &lt; 0.05. Results: A total of 60% of the individuals aged between 30 to 65, including 60.3% male and 39.7% female. Based on the research model, paths of coping strategies directly affected the perceived quality of life. Illness cognition directly impacts coping strategies and indirectly affects the perceived quality of life through the mediating role of managing strategies. Based on the evaluation of SRMI, perceived quality of life can be predictive through coping strategies and illness cognition. Conclusions: Based on the results, patients should be informed about their illness’s cognitive components and adaptive coping strategies, including situational coping strategies, coping by social support, acceptance, and active emotional expression coping to improve their quality of life.

PECULIARITIES OF COPING BEHAVIOR IN ADOLESCENTS WITH DIFFERENT EXTENT OF INTERNET ADDICTION

Adolescence is one of the critical stages in man’s personal development, therefore this age group is more susceptible to stress because of the low ability to cope with challenging circumstances. The main purpose of coping behaviour is to restore the emotional balance and the relationship between the individual and the environment, as well as to reduce the associated psychological discomfort. The aim of the study is to explore and describe the features of coping behaviour in adolescents with differing levels of Internet addiction. The research sample comprised  people aged from  to . The authors used testing methods to study coping behavior and Internet addiction, as well as the methods of mathematical statistics. The following results were obtained in the course of the research: First, “Confrontation”, “Distancing” and “Escape – Avoidance” strategies proved to correlate positively with the level of Internet addiction. Second, adolescents with no Internet addiction tend to use for the most part relatively adaptive cognitive and behavioural coping strategies as well as adaptive emotional coping strategies. Adolescents with obvious passion for Internet and tendency towards addiction most often use relatively adaptive cognitive and behavioural coping strategies as well as adaptive emotional coping strategies. Meanwhile adolescents with actual addiction also use relative adaptive cognitive and behavioural coping strategies, though accompanied by maladaptive emotional coping strategies. Thus, the increasing level of Internet addiction correlates with the growing frequency of non-adaptive coping strategies. Adolescents’ withdrawal to virtual space as one of the ways to cope with a stressful situation affects their emotional level to a great extent. The consideration of peculiarities of adolescents’ coping behaviour will make it possible to individualise psychological prevention programmes and those aimed at correction of Internet addiction.

Strategies for coping with stress in mothers of children with atopic dermatitis - a cross-sectional study.

Our previous study showed that the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children significantly correlates with the quality of life and perceived stress in their mothers. To compare strategies for coping with stress in mothers of children with and without AD, as well as to investigate the relationship between coping strategies of mothers of affected children and AD variables, stress intensity, and quality of life. The study included 88 mothers of children with AD and 57 mothers of children without AD as controls. The severity of skin lesions in children with AD was assessed by the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, and skin itch was evaluated by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). All mothers completed the sociodemographic questionnaire (SD), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (COPE) scale. Additionally, mothers of children with AD filled out the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI). There were no statistically significant differences in coping strategies between the groups. However, there were significant correlations between the selected coping strategies and AD severity, perceived stress of mothers, and quality of life of the entire family of affected children. Although mothers of children with AD experience higher levels of stress compared with mothers of children without AD, the disease does not change coping strategies. Psychological support for mothers of children with AD should be oriented toward strengthening cognitive coping strategies.

Students' Experiences and Perceptions of Boredom in EFL Academic Context

Academic boredom has captured the attention of psychologists. It is one of the most neglected and underexplored emotions in educational settings. As such, drawing on research findings from related domains, boredom can be seen as a prevalent, deactivating and negative emotion whose detrimental impact affects students’ academic learning and performance (see Pekrun, Goetz, Daniels, Stupnisky &amp; Perry, 2010). The present study investigated students’ perceptions and experiences of boredom in university students. The study also explored different antecedents causing boredom and different coping strategies that students use to cope with it utilizing a mixed-method approach. Quantitative data were collected utilizing a recently designed and validated instrument: Foreign Language Learning Boredom Scale (see Li, Dewaele &amp; Hu, 2021). The sample consisted of 190 Moroccan university students from three countries. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 13 university students describing their experiences of academic boredom. The findings revealed that boredom is pervasive among university students and seen as a complex handicap that may affect the overall well-being of students even though they generally displayed moderate levels of boredom. As such, the findings have also shown several proximate factors and reasons that act as precursors of foreign language learning boredom, including homework, under-challenging and/or over-challenging or meaningless task, teacher-dislike, and PowerPoint presentations. The findings revealed that students used cognitive and behavioural coping strategies to cope with boredom. It is important to note that sometimes students opted for both strategies to combat this negative emotion. Moreover, teachers were also seen as important elements who directly contribute to students’ fight against boredom through creating an emotionally safe and supportive environment. Implications for future research and educational practice are also discussed.

Work-From-Home in the New Normal: A Phenomenological Inquiry into Employees' Mental Health.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced employees to adapt and adjust to the new normal in an unprecedented way. While some employees have been able to move to work-from-home (WFH) relatively easily, many find it challenging. Notwithstanding the magnitude of change, little is known about the determinants of WFH employees' mental health during COVID-19. This study therefore aims to explore (1) the salient factors that contribute to the mental health issues of WFH employees and (2) strategies to overcome WFH challenges. A qualitative approach using phenomenological inquiry was adopted. Forty-one employees who worked from home in Pakistan were sampled using the purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Overall, employees believe that organizations offer inadequate support in both work-related and non-work-related matters. Five themes were elicited and coded as factors that contribute to mental health issues among WFH employees. Technical issues and system complexities, the absence of flexible working arrangements, distractions, a lack of communication, and inadequate social support were found to obstruct WFH and cause mental distress. Behavioral and cognitive coping strategies were also determined to tackle these mental issues. This study complements the human resource literature by exploring the factors that obstruct WFH and cause mental health issues in the context of the pandemic crisis. As mental well-being is more intricate than administrative arrangements, the study is useful for organizations to develop a feasible mechanism that facilitates the smooth execution of WFH for employees while ensuring their mental health is preserved. Using a phenomenological inquiry, the present study is one of the few to explore the factors that contribute to the mental health of WFH employees in the context of the pandemic crisis. Apart from its contribution to knowledge on human resource management and organizational behavior, it provides useful implications for managers, policymakers, and practitioners to manage WFH employees more effectively.

COGNITIVE COPING AND PERSPECTIVE-TAKING AMONG OLDER ADULTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: AN ECOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION

Abstract In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults report engaging in coping to manage sources of pandemic stress (e.g., loneliness, reduced healthcare access, ageism). Variability in cognitive coping strategies, however, has not been explored through an ecological model lens. In this study, we interviewed older adults online in the northeastern US (N=33, age 63-92) regarding stress and coping strategies during the pandemic, using the taxonomy of cognitive strategies from the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Consistent with Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model, stress and cognitive coping were qualitatively coded using NVivo in reference to individual, immediate environment (microsystem), connections between environments (mesosystem), and societal (macrosystem) factors. Microsystem-level stressors were prevalent and endorsed in all interviews, but stress was reported at multiple ecological levels. Common microsystem stressors included changes to work/personal life, travel restrictions, and loss of face-to-face socialization. Many participants reported engaging in adaptive cognitive coping (87%), with perspective-taking being one of the most common strategies (78%). Perspective-taking was endorsed across all levels of the ecological model (e.g., comparing the pandemic to other personal experiences, considering family-level resilience, and reflecting on impact to community). The multi-level structure of pandemic stress and coping highlights that older adults subjectively experience stress simultaneously at multiple ecological levels. In turn, they confront stressors using individualized patterns of cognitive coping that extend beyond intrapersonal experience/insight to help fully contextualize the COVID-19 experience. Future studies should explore the use of perspective-taking at intra- and interpersonal levels as integrated coping approaches for managing naturalistic stressors in daily life.

Coping strategies as mediating mechanisms between adolescent polysubstance use classes and adult alcohol and substance use disorders

Adolescent polysubstance use is a robust predictor of substance use in adulthood and can be exacerbated by poor coping with stress over time. We examined whether latent classes of adolescents’ polysubstance use predicted alcohol use disorder and substance use disorder diagnoses in adulthood via multiple stress coping strategies. Self-reported frequency of past 3-month alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use in 792 adolescents (aged 16/17) were used to form latent classes of polysubstance use. Self-reported aggressive, reactive, substance use and cognitive coping strategies (ages 18/19, 22/23, 23/24) were examined as multiple mediators of polysubstance use classes and alcohol use disorder and substance use disorder in adulthood (age 26/27) controlling for demographic covariates. Latent class analysis resulted in High, Experimental, and Low polysubstance use classes. Those in high and experimental polysubstance use classes, compared to those in the low polysubstance use class, had greater use of aggressive and reactive coping strategies, which respectively predicted greater substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder in adulthood. Across all comparisons (high vs low, experimental vs low, and high vs experimental), higher polysubstance use was associated with greater substance use coping, which predicted both alcohol and substance use disorder. Greater polysubstance use, even experimental use, in adolescence is a significant risk factor for developing alcohol use disorder and substance use disorder in adulthood and this occurs, in part, via maladaptive stress coping strategies.

Chronic Occupational Stress: Psychotherapeutic Treatment Approaches

Mental illness is a central risk factor for occupational incapacity and premature retirement. One of the contributors for mental illness as well as somatic diseases is chronic stress at work. Therefore, it is essential for affected individuals to get professional help in order to identify and ease mental stress at work as well as to regain their working ability and prevent relapses. Job-related stress models facilitate the identification of health-relevant stress factors on an individual and organizational level. This enables therapists to use job-related treatment approaches. These should comprise the following elements: motivational support, cognitive coping strategies, provision of knowledge and exercises for the competence to act and strategies for recovery, and social counseling. Promising results in the growing field of internet-based occupational e-mental health allow us to expect good effects in prevention and psychotherapeutic treatment of occupational stress.

The Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Training on Coping Responses in Attenuating the Stress of Life Events in Patients with Peptic Ulcer Disease

Background: Because peptic ulcer patients have maladaptive coping responses, this research investigated the emotion regulation training efficacy on coping responses in attenuating the stress of life events in these patients. Objectives: The effectiveness of emotion regulation training on coping responses in attenuating the stress of life events in patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) was investigated. Methods: This was a semi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group, in which participants were followed for three months. Forty-six participants were selected by the purposeful sampling method from March 2021 to June 2021. Assignment in experimental and control groups was done by simple random method. The Persian form of the Coping Style Scale (CSS) was filled out as the pretest. The emotion regulation training protocol was delivered in eight sessions during eight weeks. Afterward, both groups were followed for three months. The ANCOVA test was run in SPSS 22 to analyze the data. Results: Findings suggested that emotion regulation training significantly decreased avoidance coping strategy (P &lt; 0.01), active behavioral coping strategy (P &lt; 0.01), and enhanced active cognitive coping strategy (P &lt; 0.01). These changes persisted in the experimental group after three months of the post-test (P &lt; 0.01). Conclusions: Emotion regulation training can affect coping responses in patients with PUD and improve their adaptive coping strategies and emotional functioning. Therefore, this short-term protocol can be added to the treatment protocol of these patients.

Parental coping with uncertainties along the severe combined immunodeficiency journey

BackgroundSevere combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a group of rare genetic disorders that cause disruption in immune system functioning. Parents of children with SCID experience many uncertainties related to their child’s diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and quality of life. To fully understand parents’ experiences throughout their SCID journey, it is important to explore the stressors generated by such uncertainties and how parents cope with these stressors.MethodsWe conducted 26 in-depth interviews with parents whose child was diagnosed with SCID or a SCID-like condition through newborn screening. The interviews explored uncertainties related to their child’s diagnosis and how parents coped with these uncertainties. Transcripts were generated from the interviews and analyzed using an inductive content analysis approach which included data immersion, generation and assignment of codes, and interpretation.ResultsParents used a variety of behavioral, cognitive, and affective coping strategies which evolved throughout their SCID journeys. Some parents reported coping by playing an active role in their child’s treatment, which included reaching out to other SCID parents or seeking second medical opinions. Other types of coping included establishing house hygiene rules, thinking positively about the child’s treatment progress, and relying on family members for help. These coping strategies were both deliberate and intuitive. Participants also described their struggles in coping with stressors related to their child’s health and survival. They reported difficulty in processing their emotions and experiencing denial and guilt related to their child’s diagnosis. Some parents adapted to ongoing uncertainties through such strategies as positive thinking, self-reflection, and relying on family and community. With successful adaptation, parents emphasized that they continue to use these strategies today.ConclusionOur assessment revealed that parents of children diagnosed with SCID use a variety of behavioral, cognitive, and affective approaches to cope with SCID uncertainties. Although parents reported challenges in coping with SCID uncertainties, they also reported finding ways to overcome these stressors and establish patterns of effective coping. Findings from our study can serve as a guide for parents whose child was newly diagnosed with SCID and for providers such as social workers, genetic counselors, and psychologists.