Coping Research Articles

The psychological and environment risk factors of development of breast cancer in women residing in industrial megalopolis and rural locality

The breast cancer hold leading position in the structure of oncological morbidity of women worldwide. The purpose of the study is to analyze contribution of psychological and environmental factors to risk of development of breast cancer in women residing in industrial metropolis and rural locality. The actuality of the study is conditioned by acquisition of new knowledge about risk factors of breast cancer. The study covered psychological factors (basic beliefs, life orientations, locus of control, coping behavior strategies, subjective assessment of quality of life, subjective age indicator, personal helplessness-independence, resilience) and environmental factor (place of urban of rural residence of women with breast cancer). The study established that in women residing in industrial metropolis the psychological risk factors are reduced indicators of basic beliefs, of quality of life and of resilience, rare application of coping strategy "Escape-Avoidance", external locus of control. Alternatively, in women residing in rural areas, psychological risk factors for breast cancer are rare application of coping strategies, reduced quality of life indicators, increased vital activity, internal level of subjective control and personal helplessness. The study results can be included in development of personalized breast cancer screening protocols and as well as considered in assessing risk of development of disease when classifying women by breast cancer risk groups.

Islamic spiritual care and negative religious coping


 This article discusses religious coping behaviors in relation to Islamic spiritual care practices. Islamic spiritual care is an established practice, integrated in many European countries’ health and welfare services, and an emerging field of research. I have 17 years of experience as a Muslim chaplain in Danish hospitals and a prison, working with counseling, educating staff, and policymaking in the field of Muslim chaplaincy. In this article, I use psychological theory to analyze positive and negative religious coping, first demonstrating that spiritual care is a practice in Islam that is embedded in its theological and psychological (re)sources. Then, based on two case examples, I analyze negative religious coping among Muslims, which is a topic that has received little scholarly attention. The article contributes to the emerging field of Islamic practical theology and the interdisciplinary relationship between practical theology and psychology of religion.

Perceived Stress, Coping Behaviors, Social Support and Subjective Health among Unmarried Older Adults

Perceived Stress, Coping Behaviors, Social Support and Subjective Health among Unmarried Older Adults

Functional or financial remedies? The effectiveness of recovery strategies after a data breach

PurposeThis study aims to examine the relative effectiveness of functional and financial remedies in influencing customers' negative coping responses in the event of a data breach. It also uncovers the different mediating roles played by customers' feelings of anger and fear in the process of data breach recovery. This study thus differs from the literature, which has primarily focused on the impact of financial compensation and apologies for service failures in face-to-face environments.Design/methodology/approachTwo scenario-based experiments were conducted to empirically validate the model. The authors received 302 copies of the questionnaire, of which 269 were valid.FindingsThis study finds that functional remedies are more effective than financial remedies when sensitive information has been compromised, but there is no significant difference between the effectiveness of the two remedies when nonsensitive information has been compromised. In addition, functional remedies influence negative coping behaviors directly and indirectly; the indirect effect is achieved through the reduction of fear and anger. Contrary to the authors' expectation, financial remedies do not have a direct effect on negative coping behaviors; they can indirectly affect negative coping behaviors by reducing anger but do not affect negative coping behaviors by reducing fear.Practical implicationsThis study provides key insights into how to manage customer reactions in the event of a data breach, suggesting the use of carefully designed recovery strategies. Companies must attend to customers' specific emotional responses to manage their negative coping behaviors.Originality/valueThis study extends the limited literature on data breach recovery actions by investigating the different effectiveness of functional and financial remedies in the event of a data breach. It also uncovers how functional and financial recovery strategies affect customers' negative coping behaviors by revealing the different mediating effects of fear and anger.

Examining the Factors That Influence User Information Security Behavior toward COVID-19 Scams

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, cybercriminals have capitalized on the situation and targeted online users. As a result, there has been a surge in the number of complaints related to new types of scams and fraud that have emerged during the pandemic. This study utilizes Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), Cultivation Theory (CT), and other constructs, including fear, attitude, general security awareness, general security orientation, subjective norms, openness, stress, and conscientiousness, to investigate the user information security behavior (ISB) against COVID-19 scams. The study gathered data from 423 internet users through a cross-sectional survey and used Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the conceptual framework. The results indicate that stress, government social media, general security awareness, response efficacy, and attitude were all positive determinants of the users’ ISB. The findings also highlight the impact of emotions, such as stress and fear, as well as government social media, on decision-making during a crisis. Additionally, the study found that the combined effects of the two threat appraisal factors on coping behaviors, which are mediated by fear, and the combined effect of the two coping appraisal factors on coping behaviors, which are mediated by attitude, were significant. However, the subjective norms on ISB did not show any variations and surprisingly, the study found that conscientiousness did not moderate the association between attitude and ISB.

Influence of gender identity on the adoption of religious-spiritual, preventive and emotion-focused coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan

Background Academic research has highlighted the gendered impacts and amplifications of gender disparities of COVID-19. Traditionally, Pakistan is a patriarchal society, where it is a parenthood norm to socialize specific gender social roles. Objectives The current research asserts that these normative gender roles may influence individuals throughout their life course, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the present study explored the influence of gender identity in adopting different coping strategies such as religious-spiritual, preventive, emotion-focused and non-constructive coping against the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Due to the lockdown in various areas of Pakistan, data were collected through an online questionnaire using Qualtrics. In a cross-sectional study, 955 respondents completed responses. Factors analysis and reliability analysis were run to ensure the scales’ reliability, validity and robustness for different coping strategies. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to find model fitness. Conclusions For theoretical explanation, the current study used social role theory that argues that each gender benefits differently from distinct coping behaviours. The findings highlighted that women were more likely to adopt most coping strategies, with the most significant difference in religious-spiritual coping and preventative coping strategies even in the presence of control variables such as level of education, household monthly income, family structure, marital status and family size. There was no gender difference in adopting non-constructive strategies. The empirical evidence suggested that females might be at an increased risk of stress due to the burden of unbalanced household-based social norms and care responsibilities. The current research also expanded the base of coping to religious-spiritual coping, emotion-focused coping and non-constructive coping.

Unlocking E-Banking Behavior: Unraveling the Impact of Perceived Threat and Anxiety on Coping Strategies in Kebumen District

The goal of this study was to empirically evaluate the association between perceived threat and anxiety on coping behaviors (protective action, seeking help, avoidance) of Kebumen district e-banking users. By disseminating surveys via a Google form, 121 study samples were acquired. Purposive sampling was utilized in this study, with the criteria of respondents obtained by e-banking. In this work, structural equation modeling is used to evaluate hypotheses using the WarpPLS version 7.0 program. The findings of hypothesis testing demonstrate that perceived threats and anxiety have an influence on coping behavior; however, there is no evidence that perceived threats lead to avoidance. According to the findings of this study, threats have no effect on respondents' usage of e-banking because it has become a daily requirement.

Exploring mechanisms affecting environmental risk coping behaviors: evidence from China.

Environmental risk issues pose athreat to human life and well-being. In order to reduce environmental risks, environmental risk response strategies have become increasingly vital. As the group most affected by environmental risks, the public environmental risk coping behaviors affect the effectiveness of environmental risk management. However, the public adoption of such behaviors mainly depends on their willingness. Therefore, the key to effective governance lies in guiding the public to voluntarily adopt appropriate environmental risk coping behaviors. The theory of environmental psychology provides relevant references for this. The internal psychological motivations of the public (including attitudes and subjective normsetc.) affect their choices of environmental risk behavior. The main purpose of this research is to explore the determinants underlying environmental risk coping behaviors using extending the theory of planned behavior by additional constructs (trust, risk perception, interaction satisfaction). The research applies aquestionnaire survey method to collect data from the public living in the vicinity of two locations in China-an industrial area and a waste incineration plant in a Chinese city. The result of SEM shows that the public's trust in governments has a positive influence on the intention to collaborate, while the public's trust in the government and enterprises is negatively correlated with their intention to engage in confrontational behavior. Also, there is a positive correlation between confrontational intention and confrontational behavior, while theintention to cooperate may not necessarily result in collaborative behavior. Risk perception is not related to trust and theintention to collaborate, but it positively affects theintention to confront. The reason for the public to willingly take collaborative actions is not because they have perceived ahigh level of risk, and the public's high trust in the government can enhance their intention to take collaborative actions. It is thus clear that government credibility plays an important guiding role in public risk responsive behavior. The research findings provide policy recommendations for guiding public environmental risk coping behavior.

Psychological well-being, stressors, coping strategies and support of undergraduate healthcare students amid COVID-19.

Students function better academically when psychologically well. The COVID-19 pandemic proved a new challenge to the mental wellness of undergraduate healthcare students. Students were not only faced with academic changes but also had to complete clinical practice in healthcare facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the psychological well-being, stressors, coping strategies and support of undergraduate healthcare students amid COVID-19. A South African university's faculty of health sciences. A survey design through a cross-sectional descriptive approach was used to collect data from the population of 1529 undergraduate healthcare students. One hundred and ninety-six (n = 196) students responded to the online survey. Participants reported a variety of stressors influencing their psychological well-being. Participants chose mostly adaptive coping strategies to deal with stressors. They gave feedback on the support they received from the faculty and institution. Most of the participants indicated they prefer weekly online communication from the higher education institution. The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the psychological well-being of undergraduate healthcare students. The psychological well-being of these students is a collective responsibility between students and higher education institutions to enable academic success and positive patient outcomes. This study found that undergraduate healthcare students had academic, psychological, financial and other stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher education institutions, especially those involved in training undergraduate healthcare professionals, in collaboration with students, need to provide students with targeted continued support and training to use healthy coping behaviours to manage various stressors.

Use of substances to cope predicts posttraumatic stress disorder symptom persistence: Investigating patterns of interactions between symptoms and its maintaining mechanisms.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains a growing public health challenge across the globe and is associated with negative and persistent long-term consequences. The last decades of research have identified different mechanisms associated with the development and persistence of PTSD, including maladaptive coping strategies, cognitive and experiential avoidance, and positive and negative metacognitions. Despite these advances, little is known about how these different processes interact with specific PTSD symptoms, and how they influence each other over time at the within-person level. Leveraging a large (N > 1,800) longitudinal data set representative of the Norwegian population during the COVID-19 pandemic, this preregistered study investigated these symptom-process interactions over four assessment waves spanning an 8-month period. Our panel graphical vector autoregressive network model revealed the dominating role of substance use to cope in predicting higher levels of PTSD symptoms over time and increases in PTSD symptomatology within more proximal time windows (i.e., within 6 weeks). Threat monitoring was associated with increased suicidal ideation, while threat monitoring itself was increasing upon decreased avoidance behavior, greater presence of negative metacognitions, and higher use of substances to cope. Our findings speak to the importance of attending to different coping strategies, particularly the use of substances as a coping behavior in efforts to prevent PTSD chronicity upon symptom onset. We outline future directions for research efforts to better understand the complex interactions and temporal pathways leading up to the development and maintenance of PTSD symptomatology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Coping behaviour of women in the situation when their partner cheated

The topic of overcoming the negative emotional consequences of adultery, which is always important in the context of studying the psychological aspects of marriage, has become even more relevant in the context of the war in Ukraine, as the number of adulterers has increased significantly due to the fact that numerous couples have been forced to be separated for a long time. The purpose of the study is to theoretically substantiate and empirically study the peculiarities of women’s coping strategies (coping behaviour) in a situation of infidelity. To achieve this goal, a set of methods was used, including analysis, synthesis, comparison, and generalization to clarify theoretical aspects. Online testing was also conducted and methods of qualitative and quantitative data processing were used. The study, conducted in two groups of participants, revealed significant differences between the group of women who had experienced betrayal and the group of women who had not experienced betrayal in close relationships. It was found that in the group of women who experienced betrayal, such coping behaviours as avoidance, self-control, confrontational coping, and emotions stand out significantly. In the group of women who did not experience betrayal in their close relationships, positivity and planning to solve the problem were observed. It is proposed to use a correctional and therapeutic approach to influence a woman's behaviour in a situation of betrayal, the main stages of which are to expand knowledge about stress coping strategies (coping), increase motivation to improve coping behaviour, help in understanding the peculiarities of their own behaviour and repertoire of coping strategies, their constructiveness/destructiveness in the context of crisis situations in relationships. It is recommended to conduct trainings on learning new strategies of constructive behaviour and assistance in individual planning and design of behavioural strategies for different life situations, as well as post-training support. The results obtained in the study can be used in psychological work with partners and couples who have experienced betrayal and will help strengthen the family institution

Sustainable implementation of co-production: exploring conflicts and coping behavior employed by street-level professionals

PurposeThis study explores how street-level professionals translate and implement a co-production strategy, formulated by top management, in their professional practices, focusing on conflicts that arise during this process and the effectiveness of the coping strategies employed by these professionals to manage them.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a lower-level inquiry into three care services in Denmark. It adopted the translation perspective in organizational research to analyze the consequences of street-level professionals' translation choices. Data were collected through interviews and observations.FindingsThis study found that street-level professionals' translation choices contribute to conflicts of varying forms and extents. The finding suggests that the way conflicts are managed makes the difference between the actual organizational change and the more symbolic acceptance of co-production.Originality/valueThis study contributes to discourses on challenges in co-production implementation by deepening knowledge about the role of coping behavior and translation in sustainable implementation of co-production.

Related factors to illness perception of individuals with diabetic foot ulcers: A structural equation modelling test

BackgroundDiabetic foot is a common and severe complication of diabetes with limited movement, emotional distress, and poor quality of life. Illness perception was introduced to improve patients’ psychological status and quality of life with diabetic foot ulcers. The aim of the study is to explore the related factors of illness perception, and to structure an illness perception model of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. MethodsWe recruited 208 patients with diabetic foot ulcers from six hospitals from April 2021 to February 2022. A multicentered cross-sectional study was conducted to collect the data. Questionnaires included illness perception, coping behavior, emotional status, and quality of life. We performed multiple linear regression analysis with illness perception as the dependent variable, and evaluated the goodness of fit of the resulting structural equations models based on covariance structural analysis. ResultsIllness perception was negatively related to coping behavior and quality of life, and it was positively correlated with yield-coping behavior, anxiety, and depression. The pain, diabetes duration, quality of life, yield-coping strategy, and sex were the factors that affected illness perception in patients with DFUs (P＜0.05). The resulting model was found to exhibit goodness of fit. ConclusionIllness perception had an especially strong and direct impact on quality of life, depression, and anxiety. Therefore, it is significant to improve illness perception in patients with DFUs, and provide positive support based on cognitive behavioral therapy to improve illness perception, quality of life, and emotional status.

Influence mechanism of coping behaviours for natural hazards: Empirical study in Henan, China

Natural hazards caused by climate change have increased in frequency in recent years, causing global threats to life and economic losses. Appropriate coping behaviours can help reduce disaster risks and protect lives and property. However, the mechanisms underlying the influence of different coping behaviours remain poorly understood. This study collected questionnaire data from Henan Province, China, and used a structural equation model to explore the influencing factors, influence degree, and influence path of positive, negative, and risky coping behaviours. The results showed that (1) the level of risk perception increased with increasing familiarity with disasters and information about consequence severity and with decreasing trust in authorities. Perceived controllability improved with increased familiarity with disasters, trust in authorities, and reduced information about consequence severity; (2) risk perception and perceived controllability moderated the impact of familiarity with disasters, information about consequence severity, and trust in authorities for three different coping behaviours; (3) information about consequence severity was the greatest driving force affecting positive coping behaviours and negative coping behaviours and the degree of trust in the authorities was the greatest driving force affecting risky coping behaviours. These findings provide a reference for the government to guide the public to adopt positive coping behaviours and reduce the risks of natural hazards.

Mental health and coping methods of medical students during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic that occurred at the end of 2019, especially the fourth wave in Vietnam, has affected the world not only in terms of economy, society, and physical health but also affected the mental health of population in general and of medical students in particular. The use of different coping methods may be protective or risk factors for mental health problems. Objectives: 1. To investigate the prevalence of anxiety, stress, and depression among medical students during the Covid -19 pandemic 2. To describe several coping behavior among medical students during the pandemic. Subjects and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on 2350 students of medicine programme range from the first year to the sixth year in the school year 2021 - 2022 at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Using the DASS-21 scale to survey anxiety, depression and stress in research subjects and a self-designed questionnaire to describe the coping methods of medical students. Results: out of 2350 sample, the prevelance of depression, anxiety, and stress was 38%, 33.2%, and 17% respectively. 13.8% had both anxiety and stress, 15.4% had both stress and depression, and 12.8% had a combination of anxiety, depression and stress. Coping behavior was commonly selected including: eating and sleeping regularly as usual (68.1%); doing exercise at home at least 5 days/week and 30 minutes/day (23.9%); 36.5% of students performed their favorite activities under appropriate conditions most of the time or often. In addition, 59.7% of students had learn new things on the internet, 4.5% of students had practiced meditation and relaxation, 2.9% of students had chosen to write a diary and things they were grateful for; 32% had still maintain contacted with friends via video calls, text messages and 34.4% had chosen to participate in volunteer activities. Conclusion: This study highlights a high rate of anxiety, stress and depression among medical students during the fouthth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Personal lifestyle changes and social activities were amongst the most comon coping behavior reported. Key words: DASS-21, mental health, coping methods, Medical Students, Covid-19 Pandemic.

The influence of trauma on internal integration: An approach‐avoidance analysis in disaster relief operations

Disaster relief workers face unique factors in their operating environments that can inhibit internal integration. For example, disaster relief often involves exposure to traumatic events affecting relief workers’ commitment to cooperation and the organization. As such, disaster relief organizations dedicate substantial amounts of scarce resources to support workers exposed to trauma. Unfortunately, contradictory views exist in the literature on how trauma exposure affects commitment and integrative behaviors and how supervisor support influences these relationships. Based on the approach‐avoidance coping theory, we test whether trauma exposure has positive or negative effects. We test our hypotheses on data from 300 disaster relief workers collected using a 2 × 3 factorial scenario‐based experiment. We find that trauma exposure evokes avoidance coping behaviors, which decrease individuals’ cooperative disposition, and approach coping behaviors, which motivate organizational commitment. Next, we show that both forms of commitment have a nonlinear convex relationship with internal integration and mediate the relationship between trauma exposure and internal integration. Finally, we find that supervisor support amplifies these relationships. When exposed to trauma, supervisor approach and avoidance orientations provide higher internal integration levels than subjects exposed to no supervisor support. These findings extend the literature on disaster relief management, integration, and support, guiding decision‐making regarding support investments in disaster relief organizations.

Alleviating the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Physical, Psychological Health, and Wellbeing of Students: Coping Behavior as a Mediator.

Public health procedures under the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown policy negatively affect people's health. Students' physical issues have been increased due to restrictions which further impact their psychological and overall well-being. The research looks at the influence of coping behavior in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on students' physical/psychological health and general well-being. The study's participants were chosen from a pool of 2200 people using convenience sampling. Using an anonymous online poll, the main data were gathered. The collected data were analyzed by using Smart-PLS. From eight direct correlations, seven were found to be true, except the route pandemic -> overall wellbeing, which was not true. Furthermore, it was shown that the mediating effect of coping behavior was statistically significant in the routes of mediation. Coping strategies have a significant role in how a person responds to trying circumstances. Our study's results suggest that coping strategies had a statistically significant mediation role in reducing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is concluded that appropriate coping strategies are an effective adaptation of a protective barrier against the damaging effects of COVID-19 on health.

Clinical effectiveness of the NIDUS randomised control trial of a tailored, goal‐focused intervention for increasing goal attainment in people living with dementia and their family carers

AbstractBackgroundMost people living with dementia want to remain living in their own homes and are supported to do so by family carers. We have co‐produced, with family carers of people with dementia and health and social care professionals, a psychosocial intervention (NIDUS‐family). NIDUS‐family is the first fully manualised intervention that is tailored to personal goals of people living with dementia and their families and is delivered by facilitators without clinical training. The intervention utilizes components of behavioural management, carer support, psychoeducation, communication and coping skills training, enablement, and environmental adaptations, with modules selected to address dyads’ selected goals.MethodA randomised, two‐arm, single‐blind, multi‐site clinical trial involving 302 people living with dementia‐family carer dyads. Dyads were randomised 2:1 to receive the NIDUS‐family intervention with usual care (n = 204) or usual care alone (n = 98). The intervention group received over 1 year, 6‐8 video call or telephone sessions (or face to face if COVID‐19 restrictions allowed) in the initial 6 months, followed by telephone follow‐ups every 1‐2 months to support implementation, with a trained facilitator. We will evaluate the effect of NIDUS‐family and usual care on attainment on goals set by family carers towards the care recipient living as well as possible at home, as measured by Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), compared to usual care alone at 12‐month follow‐up. Secondary outcomes measures include functioning, neuropsychiatric symptoms of care recipients, time remaining living at home and care costs, and family carer mood, quality of life and reported abusive behaviours.ResultThe trial recruited to target, with good adherence to the intervention (85% fully adherent) and trial retention to date (87% at 6‐month follow‐up). The trial’s 12 month follow up data will be completed in early May 2023 and results will be analysed and ready to share by July 2023.ConclusionOur intervention, which we adapted to include remote delivery prior to commencement due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, aims to address barriers to living as well and as independently as possible. If effective, NIDUS‐family is potentially scalable to benefit many people living with dementia and their family carers.

Exploring lesbian internalised homophobia and self-harming: A thematic analysis

BackgroundInternalised homophobia has been associated with maladaptive coping and higher levels of psychological distress. Self-harm within a lesbian population is under researched, specifically in relation to internalised homophobia. The study aimed to explore whether internalised homophobia influences self-harming and coping mechanisms in a lesbian population.MethodAll participants (N = 103) were over 18 (M = 22.87, SD = 6.9) assigned female at birth, and identified as lesbian. The study implemented a qualitative design through an online questionnaire which asked six open-ended questions regarding sexuality, coping mechanisms and internalised homophobia. Results: Through thematic analysis three themes were identified: the role of sexuality on self-harm, importance of LGBTQ+ community, and negative societal perceptions which were explored in relation to relevant literature.ConclusionThrough thematic analysis, internalised homophobia was identified as a sub-theme of self-harming behaviours. The LGTBQ+ community was found to be a protective factor from maladaptive coping behaviours through belonging and shared culture. Participants highlighted there were negative societal perceptions regarding the LGBTQ+ community in general, but also their struggles with self-harm and mental health. The strengths and limitations of the study are addressed alongside suggestions for future research.

Challenges in Grief-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Prolonged Grief Disorder

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is a potential deleterious outcome of bereavement that is associated with significant negative psychological consequences. The condition is thought to be maintained through a dynamic interplay between painful memories, maladaptive appraisal patterns, and unhelpful coping behaviors, including a persistent avoidance of reminders of the loss. Grief-focused cognitive behavior therapies (GF-CBT) targeting these mechanisms have been found to ameliorate symptoms, with treatments that include exposure-based processing of memories of the loss showing superior outcomes. However, data indicate that treatments involving exposure-based techniques are typically underutilized by mental health clinicians. In this clinical report we describe a series of cases that illustrate common challenges encountered in implementing GF-CBT and outline practical approaches to address these challenges.