Coping Checklist Research Articles

P.2.a.023 Effect of polymorphisms in the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene on suicide risk in Korean with major depressive disorder

This study investigated regional gray matter (GM) volume differences between suicide attempters and suicide non-attempters with major depressive disorder (MDD) and their relationship with psychological risk factors for suicidality.MDD patients with and without a suicide attempt history (n = 19 in each group) participated. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression (severity subscale), Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI), Risk-Rescue Rating (RRR), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Barrett Impulsivity Scale, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and Ways of Coping Checklist (WCCL) were administered. T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired to evaluate changes in GM volume. Voxel-based morphometry was performed using the SPM 8 software package. Two-sample t-tests were used during second-level group comparison analysis; partial correlation analysis controlling for gender and age identified associations between regional GM volume and psychological measures.Suicide attempters exhibited significantly decreased GM volume in the left angular gyrus (p < 0.001, uncorrected) and right cerebellum (p < 0.001, uncorrected). GM volume in the left angular gyrus was inversely correlated with BHS scores (r = − 0.55, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with the Seeking Social Support subscale of the WCCL (r = 0.43, p < 0.01).These findings provide evidence of a neural basis of suicidal behaviors in MDD. In particular, reduced GM volume in the left angular gyrus may be a neurobiological marker of suicidality in depressed patients.

Association of Stress Level with Facial Pain: The Role of Coping

It has been noted that stress factors, including coping with stress, are involved in pain problems. The aim of the present study was, firstly, to investigate the association of stress level with facial pain, and secondly, to assess the influence of coping strategies on this association. The study was part of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 project. The original material consisted of all people born in 1966 in Northern Finland. Of these, 5,696 participated in a follow-up study at the age of 31. As part of the study, data on facial pain, stress level of the subjects (measured with three items from the Work Ability Index), coping strategies in stressful situations (measured using the Ways of Coping Checklist) and sociodemographic background data were collected using questionnaires in 1997-98. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using generalized linear models. After adjustment for gender, education, and work history, facial pain was associated with a high stress level (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.7-3.0). When coping strategies were added to the model, the strength of the association did not change essentially. The results emphasize the role of psychological stress in the background of facial pain. The association is independent of the coping strategy of the individual.

Influence of psychological stress on physical pain

AbstractThe goal of this study was to determine the influence of psychological stress on non‐pathologic physical pain in a general population. Data pertaining to the source of, response to, and coping with stress, as well as site and intensity of pain was collected on 91 non‐patient subjects using a self‐report questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of a Global Assessment of Recent Stress, Stress Response Inventory and Ways of Coping Checklist, in addition to the Site and Intensity of Stress‐Related Pain. It was found that the degree of stress was proportional to the pain severity. Also, the degree of responses to stress and coping style played a role in pain severity. Moreover, economic status, stress from sickness or injury, and somatization were the best predictors of the pain severity in our study population. The most common stress‐related pain was occipital headache, and the pain sites were dependent on certain stress variables. The high pain group and no pain group showed distinct demographic and stress profiles. The various aspects of psychological stress affect the incidence, site and intensity of physical pain. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Revisiting the changing and stable properties of coping utilization using latent class growth analysis: A longitudinal investigation with soccer referees

Objectives This study examined the longitudinal factor invariance of problem-focused, disengagement-focused, and seeking social support coping to provide an unbiased estimation of the mean-level and differential stability of coping with longitudinal confirmatory factor analyses with mean structure. This study also examined different patterns of longitudinal coping utilization with Latent Class Growth Modeling (LCGM). Method Soccer referees ( N = 227), aged from 15 to 53 years, completed a French version of the Ways of Coping Checklist at three times over an entire season. Results The structure of the coping dimensions could be assumed longitudinally invariant. The mean-level utilization of problem-focused coping did not change significantly over the season despite the presence of test–retest instability. Both disengagement and seeking support coping utilization have significantly decreased over time while displaying moderate test–retest stability. Results of LCGM revealed that, while most referees did not change their utilization of problem-focused coping, two subgroups have respectively increased and decreased their use of problem-focused coping. Two subgroups decreased significantly their use of both disengagement-oriented and seeking support coping whereas one subgroup maintained the same level of utilization. Conclusions Results indicated that coping utilization displayed both trait-like and state-like properties, differing for distinct subgroups of referees. This research provided further evidence for the need of moving beyond the sole reliance on traditional analyses of change to recast the trait-like versus state-like debate on coping into a more idiosyncratic-nomothetic framework.

Coping, anxiety and quality of life after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

This paper is a report of a study to explore the relationship between ways of coping, anxiety level and quality of life for patients after coronary artery bypass grafting. Coronary artery bypass grafting requires appropriate coping strategies to achieve successful adaptation. In Taiwan, the incidence of this surgery is increasing, but research on adaptation following surgery is limited, with no research examining outcomes for women, who often have poorer adaptation outcomes than men. An integrated research design, based on Lazarus and Folkman's transaction coping theory, was used. The research employed convenience sampling with four instruments: the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Short Form 36-Health Survey, and a demographic questionnaire, sent to 50 men and 50 women who were recruited from a medical centre in Taiwan. Additionally, qualitative data from interviews with three men and three women, who had completed the instruments, were analysed. Better quality of life was associated with lower anxiety level, greater use of problem-focused coping strategies and those who had more gender role responsibility. Women scored lower on the physical dimensions of quality of life, used more self-blaming coping strategies and experienced slightly higher levels of anxiety compared to men. The qualitative analysis supported the conclusions of the quantitative analysis. The results will help nurses design specific interventions intended to lower anxiety levels, promote the use of problem-focused strategies and identify patients' values, necessary to achieve optimal quality of life.

The influence of feeling positive about helping among dementia caregivers in New Zealand

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the unique contribution of positive attitudes about helping others in predicting emotional functioning among a sample of dementia caregivers. Participants were 158 older ( M = 68 years) caregivers residing in New Zealand. Participants completed surveys consisting of the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist, the Helping Attitudes Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale and a tailored measure of demographic and caregiver contextual variables. Results indicated that helping attitudes had the largest correlation with positive affect ( r = .31). Regression analyses also indicated that helping attitudes predicted positive affect with the other relevant demographic and coping variables controlled for statistically. This study indicates that having a positive attitude towards helping others may be an important determinant of positive emotional functioning among dementia caregivers and may help to offset the oft-cited negative consequences of caregiving. The implications for caregiver selection and caregiver intervention strategies are discussed.

Caregiver burden and coping

Caregivers of patients of schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder (BAD) experience considerable burden while caring their patients. They develop different coping strategies to deal with this burden. Longitudinal studies are required to assess the relationship between caregiver burden and coping. The present study was conducted to assess relationship between burden and coping in caregivers of clinically stable patients with schizophrenia and BAD. One hundred patients each of schizophrenia and BAD attending a psychiatric outpatient setting and their caregivers were followed up for a period of 6 months. Burden and coping strategies were assessed in the caregivers at baseline, and after 3 and 6 months using the Burden Assessment Schedule (BAS) and Ways of Coping Checklist - Hindi Adaptation (WCC - HA). Burden remained stable over 6 months and was comparable in the two groups of caregivers. Caregivers from both the groups were found to use problem focused coping strategies more often than seek social support and avoidance strategies. Scores on avoidance type of coping showed a positive correlation with the total burden scores and a number of burden factors. Caregivers of patients of schizophrenia and BAD face similar levels of burden and use similar types of coping methods to deal with it. Relationship between caregiver burden and coping is quite complex.

The Algorithmically Structured Systematic Exploration of Subject's State of Mind: II Reliability and Construct Validity

AbstractObjective: To investigate the reliability and validity of a newly developed semistructured interview, the Algorithmically Structured Systematic Exploration of Subject's State of Mind (Assess_Mind). Method: Twelve scales have been developed and used to rate 86 Assess_Mind interviews conducted with patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment. For each rating scale, we assessed interrater reliability, interviewer effect, and construct validity. In addition, a factor analysis of scales was performed. To study the validity of scales and of the factors yielded by factor analysis, patients were assessed with a psychopathological battery including the Child Project Questionnaire, the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Ways of Coping Checklist. Results: For 11 of the 12 scales, interrater reliability was fair to excellent. There was no significant interviewer effect affecting any of the scales. In addition, the validity of nine of these 11 scales was demonstrated by their correlations with questionnaires measuring similar constructs. Conclusion: Nine of the Assess_Mind scales appear to have adequate psychometric properties. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Coping et changement face au cancer du sein : le point de vue des patientes et de leurs accompagnants

This longitudinal study investigated the processes of coping and change for 60 women with breast cancer and their close relations ( N = 60). Our study is based on interview's analysis and on the answers to a scale of coping (Ways of Coping Checklist). Results reveal higher rates of seeking social support strategy for patients at the time of the surgical operation (T1) and after the treatments (T2) compared to their close relations (“t Student” tests, p < 0,01). The longitudinal analysis shows an increase of problem solving strategy at T2 only for patients ( p < 0,02). The nature of the change perceptions differs according to the status (patient/close relations), and seems to be a constituent of the coping with the serious illness.

Coping and quality of life in one hundred and thirty five subjects with multiple sclerosis

Introduction and objective The aim of this study was to compare coping strategies and quality of life (QoL) in multiple sclerosis (MS), as they relate to the course of the disease (relapsing-remitting (RR), secondary progressive (SP), primary progressive (PP)), while taking depression and anxiety into account. Methods A total of 135 MS subjects were seen for a semi-structured interview in order to collect socio-demographic and clinical information, after which there was an assessment of their mental and cognitive states (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Depressive Mood Scale (EHD), Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB)). All subjects then completed three self-report questionnaires; two about coping strategies (Ways of Coping Checklist (WCC), Coping with Health, Injuries and Problems Scale (CHIP)) and one about QoL (SEP59). Results The mental health (depression and anxiety) and the psychological and social dimensions of QoL were relatively unaffected. However, after controlling for age and disability, the disease course had a strong effect on both mental health and QoL, with the poorest condition for SPMS and the best condition for PPMS. The SPMS patients tend to use emotional coping strategies extensively, while the PPMS patients use more instrumental strategies. Discussion Our study clearly demonstrated that psychological and social well-being were substantially affected by the disease course. These results encourage us to develop interventions focused on coping strategies and which are better adapted to individual patients. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 393- 401. http://msj.sagepub.com

A comparative study of quality of life among adults with spina bifida

Method The Norwegian sample consisted of 57 adults registered with the Norwegian Association of SB and Hydrocephalus. Adults included 38 females and 19 males, mean age 31.8 years (17 – 54 years). The Oregon sample included 34 adults attending the Child Development Rehabilitation Center, at Oregon Health Science University. Adults included 15 females and 19 males, mean age of 29.5 (17 – 49 years.) By postal survey, information was obtained assessing subjective QoL (WHOQOL – BREF, psychological distress (Hopkins Symptom Checklist), disability cognitions (Harowitz Impact of Events Scale) coping efforts (Lazarus Revised Ways of Coping Checklist), and cognitive difficulties (1item and Broadbent Cognitive Failures Questionnaire).

Comparison of a questionnaire commonly used for measuring coping with a daily-basis prospective coping measure

Background Much research have investigated the relation between stress and health, with focus on the role of coping as a moderator. The use of the concept of coping is in need of more stringency since it is often used in a more or less careless manner. A contributory cause of the confusion within the research field is the often-negligent interpretation of results from the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) Scale (i.e., results are discussed in terms of coping strategies instead of mental adjustment). Furthermore, checklists are often used in research but seldom specify the stressor that patients are attempting to cope with. Methods Consecutive patients newly diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer were included in this study. Of 151 eligible patients, 95 (63%) participated. As soon as their physical condition so permitted, patients were asked to assess their coping by way of two methods: an instrument commonly used for measuring coping (MAC Scale) and a daily-basis prospective coping measure [Daily Coping Assessment (DCA)]. The study investigated the relations between these two methods, which are used to evaluate different ways of coping with cancer, and related these to specified stressful events and psychologic distress outcomes [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)]. Results Among patients with GI cancers, a comparison of the DCA with the MAC Scale renders important differences regarding the use of coping strategies. Furthermore, coping as measured by the DCA is more clearly separated from both stressors such as psychologic aspects and psychologic distress outcomes as measured by the HADS. Discussion A comparison between the two measures renders differences regarding the use of coping strategies among patients with GI cancers. The daily-basis prospective coping measure seems to be better separated from both stressful events and psychologic distress outcomes. The DCA offers a promising alternative to the use of coping checklists. The difference between the measures is in accordance with the original intention that the MAC Scale be used to measure mental adjustment rather than coping (i.e., the results do not support the use of the MAC Scale as a coping measure).

Pre‐cessation depressive mood predicts failure to quit smoking: the role of coping and personality traits*

To examine whether mood, personality and coping predict smoking cessation and whether the associations of personality and coping are mediated through depressed mood. Multicenter (n = 8) smoking cessation trial. A total of 600 smokers (> or = 15 cigarettes/day) without current depression who participated in a smoking cessation study. The outcome was continuous abstinence during the last 4 weeks of the 3-month trial: depressed mood was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), personality by the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and coping by the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist (RWCC). A total of 14.7% (88/600) were abstainers. Controlling for potential confounders, baseline BDI independently predicted smoking cessation. Smokers with BDI > or = 10 were less likely to quit than those with BDI < 10 (odds ratio: 6.39, 95% CI: 1.44-28.3, P = 0.01). Compared to BDI < 10 smokers, BDI > or = 10 smokers had significantly higher scores for neuroticism and lower scores for extraversion and conscientiousness (NEO-PI-R). On the RWCC, BDI > or = 10 smokers scored higher for blame self, wishful thinking and problem avoidance and they scored lower on problem focus than smokers with BDI < 10. A mediational analysis showed that neither personality traits nor coping skills predicted directly smoking cessation. However, low level of problem focusing and social support seeking predicted a negative outcome via depressed mood. A BDI score > or = 10, even in smokers who do not meet a current diagnosis of major depression, directly predicts inability to quit. This suggests the utility of assessing depression symptoms in routine smoking cessation care.

Canadian Dental Students’ Perceptions of Their Learning Environment and Psychological Functioning Over Time

A cohort of dental students (N=28) at the University of Manitoba was followed throughout their entire dental education program to explore changes in their perceptions of the learning environment over time. Aspects of the students'psychological functioning, including common psychological symptoms, self-esteem, and coping strategies, were also evaluated to assess changes in these factors over time. A battery of instruments consisting of the Learning Environment Survey (LES), the Symptom Questionnaire (SQ), the Ways of Coping Checklist (WCCL), and the State Self-Esteem Scale (SSES) was administered at the beginning, midpoint, and end of each academic year throughout the four-year dental education program. Results indicated that there was a minor positive recalibration of student perceptions in the areas of course relevance and opportunities for outside interests during the first months of year one. Apart from this, perceptions of dental school as a seldom-to-occasionally positive learning environment were maintained over the entire dental education program. In terms of psychological functioning over time, students reported decreases in their levels of problem-focused coping and self-esteem, increased use of avoidance and wishful thinking as coping strategies, and more anxiety, depression, and hostility at various points. Some implications of these findings for dental education are discussed.

P4-180: Burden of care in Alzheimer’s disease and its relationship to coping: An Indian experience

Many studies have addressed the issue of caregiver burden in patients with major psychiatric illnesses. However, this aspect has been less studied in the case of dementia caregivers, especially in Indian context where family is the sole care–provider and institutional care is not prevalent. It aims to evaluate the burden of the caregivers of dementia patients and assess its relationship with various clinical and psychosocial variables as well as coping. It was a cross–sectional study design with sample of convenience. Total of 32 patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type (DSM–IV) and their caregivers visiting the dementia clinic, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi between 1st Oct 2003 and 31st March 2004 were included. In addition to complete history including sociodemographic profile, the patients were assessed for level of cognitive functioning using Hindi Mental State Examination (HMSE; Tsolaki 2000) and for severity of dementia using Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR; Hughes 1982).The caregivers were assessed for burden using Burden Assessment Schedule (BAS; Thara, 1998) and coping using Coping checklist (Rao, 1989). Mean age of patients was 71.75 ±9.66 years, majority being males. Mean age of caregivers was 53.94±16.16 years, majority being females. Majority of caregivers comprised of spouses (50%) followed by children (46.9%). The mean total adjusted burden score was found to be 58.57± 11.52 with maximum possible score of 100, suggesting moderate degree of burden. Total burden didn't correlate with age or educational status. Females and those who were housewives were the major bearers in certain subgroups of burden as compared to males and working females respectively. HMSE score had significant negative correlation with total burden score. Total burden score was significantly more in severe dementia as compared to mild and moderate dementia. ‘Problem solving’ coping had significant negative correlation with total burden score. The present study suggests a considerable burden of care on caregivers, especially females. Problem–focused approach was found to be associated with lesser burden. The importance of designing appropriate caregiver interventions cannot be undermined.

Estrés organizacional y salud en funcionarios de centros de atención primaria de una comuna de Santiago

Demands on primary health care services in Chile are increasing. The staff perception of specific sources of tension at work is not known. This knowledge is necessary to avoid preventable health problems caused by distress. To identify specific work stressors in primary health care facilities and to examine individual characteristics that could mediate their effects on health. We evaluated organizational stressors (Perceived Work Characteristics for Health Services Survey), personal characteristics (Work Locus of Control Scale, Ways of Coping Check List) and distress (Goldberg General Health Questionnaire, Cooper Stress Symptoms Checklist) in a representative sample of 129 workers of 5 public Primary Health Care Centers of a borough in Santiago. Women and non-professional personnel reported more psychological and physical stress symptoms. Regression analysis showed that work stressors significantly explained the variance of psychological (26%) and physical (28%) distress symptoms. Perception of more role conflicts, less support of peers and superiors and less workload were predictors significantly associated with higher stress outcomes. Avoidance coping strategies were associated with more distress and mediated the effect of organizational stressors on health. We identified the groups at risk of stress in Primary Health Care Centers and specific sources of tension in the organization, as well as individual risk factors. Both should be addressed in interventions to reduce distress and prevent consequences on health.

Dimensions of Cancer Locus of Control Scale as Predictors of Psychological Adjustment and Survival in Breast Cancer Patients

The Cancer Locus of Control Scale, to investigate specific beliefs of control in cancer patients, was validated previously with an English-speaking population. This study tested the construct and concurrent validity of a 17-item French version of the scale and explored its relations with psychological adjustment and with adaptation assessed two years later. In a sample of 157 women diagnosed with a first breast cancer, the French version was administered along with the Body Image Questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Social Support Questionnaire, and the Ways of Coping Checklist. A factor analysis performed on scores identified the three original factors: internal causal attribution, control over the course of the illness, and religious control. Internal causal attribution was associated with high scores for state and trait anxiety, negative body image, emotion-focused coping, and problem-focused coping. Control over the course of the cancer was positively associated with scores on both problem- and emotion-focused coping. Religious control was negatively associated with perceived stress. Emotional adjustment and quality of life were assessed in 59 of the 157 breast cancer patients two years after diagnosis and original testing. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that internal causal attribution significantly predicted 38.1% of the variance in rated state anxiety. None of the dimensions of the Cancer Locus of Control Scale predicted the duration of survival measured two years later in 75 of the 157 patients.

Inner Representations, Coping, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptomatology in a Community Sample of Trauma Survivors

To assess whether coping styles mediated the relation between inner representations and posttraumatic stress symptomatology, a community sample of self-defined trauma survivors (N = 95) completed the World Assumptions Scale, Ways of Coping Checklist—Revised, and Trauma Symptom Inventory. Regression analyses indicted that individuals with more positive inner representations reported experiencing less symptomatology and tended to use more active and less passive coping strategies. Furthermore, the relation between inner representations and the extent of symptomatology was mediated through the use of passive coping strategies, although the latter 2 variables were likely reciprocally related. The implications of these findings for the well-being of trauma survivors were discussed.

Prostate Cancer: Appraisal, Coping, and Health Status

The purpose of this study was to identify how cognitive appraisal and types of coping affect the health status of men with prostate cancer. Lazarus and Folkman's model of stress and coping guided this correlational, cross-sectional study. The convenience sample was composed of 131 men with prostate cancer who completed the Cognitive Appraisal of Health Scale, the Ways of Coping Checklist, and the Short-Form Health Survey using mailed questionnaires. Participants who appraised more harm or loss experienced worse physical and mental health. When participants perceived their diagnosis as posing more harm or loss or a greater threat, they were more likely to use emotion-focused coping. When the diagnosis was perceived as a challenge, men were more likely to use more problem-focused coping. The findings of this study enable health care providers to be more attentive to the psychosocial needs of prostate cancer patients.

Stressful Situations and Coping Strategies in Relation to Age

Whether people cope differently with negative events at different ages was assessed by relation to age by type of situation perceived as potentially stressful and by type of coping strategy used, and also whether the kind of coping strategy used to reduce the potential stressor was related to type of stressor. To do this the factor structure of the Spanish version of the Ways of Coping Checklist of Lazarus and Folkman was examined in an Argentine sample of 153. The factor analysis of checklist scores identified five factors: Cognitive redefinition, Problem focus, Seeking social support, Wishful thinking, and Avoidance. For two groups, ages 20 to 24 and 40 to 45 years, analysis indicated a significant association of type of situation perceived as potentially stressful with age. The middle-age group (40-45 yr.) chose a way of coping in problem solution but the young adult group (20-24 yr.) seemed more often to elude problems. It appears that the type of stressor influences type of coping.