Cope Research Articles

Young adults’ perceived social isolation and e-impulse buying on social commerce platforms: linking roles of perceived stress and hedonic browsing

Purpose This paper aims to explore the pathways connecting perceived social isolation, perceived stress, hedonic browsing and e-impulse buying in social commerce. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical model was proposed. Data from 394 young adults was analyzed using structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized relationships in the model. Findings Perceived social isolation is associated with elevated levels of perceived stress and engagement in hedonic browsing. Young consumers often turn to hedonic browsing as a coping mechanism for stress, and both stress and hedonic browsing play significant roles in fostering impulsive purchases. Perceived stress fully mediates the influence of perceived social isolation on hedonic browsing. Conversely, hedonic browsing partially mediates the impact of perceived stress on e-impulse buying. Practical implications Businesses can use the findings to develop effective marketing strategies that entice customers to purchase on social commerce platforms. Moreover, the findings offer valuable insights for young consumers, providing them with an understanding of the complexities of impulsive buying in social commerce. This knowledge can empower them to make informed decisions and exercise enhanced control over their purchasing habits. Furthermore, the findings could be used as a basis for developing targeted interventions to reduce unnecessary purchases, particularly during challenging times that necessitate social isolation. Originality/value This study offers new empirical insights into the ways in which perceived social isolation, perceived stress and hedonic browsing contribute to the heightened prevalence of e-impulse buying in social commerce.

Coping mechanisms used by caregivers of HIV/AIDS orphans in North West province, South Africa

Coping mechanisms used by caregivers of HIV/AIDS orphans in North West province, South Africa

“Yes, I'm worth it!”: How romantic breakups influence self‐gifting propensity

AbstractWhen do consumers indulge in self‐gifting? While extant research predominantly explores self‐gifting as a coping mechanism in postchallenging phases, this research suggests an additional dimension: self‐gifting as a form of self‐reward. Drawing from the idea of stress‐related growth, this paper focuses on consumer behavior following a romantic breakup, investigating self‐gifting as a reward mechanism. Results from five studies consistently demonstrate that the severity of a breakup significant influences consumers' self‐gifting propensity in both intrinsic‐ and extrinsic‐rewarding consumption, driven by their heightened perceived deservingness. These effects are attenuated when individuals engage in ruminative thoughts about their tumultuous (vs. harmonious) breakups. These findings explain the nuances of self‐gifting behavior following a romantic breakup by establishing a theoretical link between personal failures (e.g., romantic breakups) and a sense of deservingness, which influences consumer's self‐gifting propensity as a self‐reward.

Coping strategies and food insecurity experiences: the case of female-headed agricultural households in Liberia

PurposeRealities of food insecurity are more pronounced with a specific focus on women in developing countries. The need to understand the varied food insecurity experiences among female-headed agricultural households in such contexts provided the rationale and motivation for this study.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a quantitative cross-sectional approach, drawing on the binary logistic regression to determine the influence of socioeconomic status on household coping mechanisms in response to food insecurity in a stratified random sample of 509 female-headed agricultural households in Liberia.FindingsThe results revealed that most respondents experienced food insecurity reflected in inadequate food availability, an inability to eat nutritious food and the necessity to skip meals. In response, they employed coping strategies such as borrowing money, selling assets, and reducing health expenses, which were influenced by socioeconomic characteristics such as gender, education, and marital status.Practical implicationsThe study illustrates the multi-layered and complex context of food insecurity among women. From these findings, the study proposes the consideration of such dynamics to inform practical and relevant mitigatory policy approaches to the target demographic.Social implicationsWith food insecurity being a social problem, the study identifies its social impact by documenting the participants' lived experiences. Thus, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of food insecurity across different segments of society.Originality/valueThe study draws its originality from understanding how food insecurity impacts female-headed households, highlighting the often-ignored gender dynamics of food insecurity in developing nations and aggregating the coping strategies and food insecurity expenses.

Dimensions of living with emetophobia

Purpose This paper aims to present an examination of selected literature about the lived experiences of those with emetophobia. Its intention is to inform further empirical enquiry and subsequent approaches to treatment and care aimed at inclusive support for sufferers. To that end, it is important to bring the sufferers’ narrative into public and professional domains. Design/methodology/approach A systematic search of multiple databases using the search engine Discover@bolton and grey literature was undertaken to obtain evidence about the lived experiences of people with emetophobia. The search terms used were “emetophobia” and combinations of associated topic phrases using Boolean operators (AND / OR): “Emetophobia” OR “fear of vomiting” OR “fear of being sick”, Emetophobia AND “lived experiences” and finally Emetophobia OR “fear of vomiting” OR “fear of being sick” AND “lived experiences”. Eight papers were included in the review and five items of grey literature. Findings Several themes were identified in this literature including fear, escape and avoidance, other influences, consequences and medicalisation. The findings reveal that the experiences of those with emetophobia are subsumed beneath a focus on diagnosis and treatment. When it comes to understanding the actual lived experience of a person with emetophobia, the evidence presents the reader with what treatment may work and how they might respond to it, but largely omits the voice of the individual with emetophobia. This signals a need to undertake enquiry to bring this to the fore and so inform ways of greater inclusive practice for the public and professionals alike. Research limitations/implications The evidence reviewed in this paper can be noted for the limited discussion about the individual’s lived experience of emetophobia. Gaining insight into this would contribute to raising awareness in a wider public arena and inform carers and healthcare professionals’ understanding. It would also display the importance of an individual context and health journey. Practical implications Knowing this can inform approaches to helping an individual either to live with the phobia and manage its impact on daily living (positive rather than maladaptive coping mechanisms) or to overcome it with or without adjunct medical treatment (if this is possible). Social implications Knowing based on contemporary empirical enquiry will inform policy and guideline development. Whatever course is taken, it must contribute to steps being taken towards achieving a better quality of life for individual sufferers. The findings of this paper likewise inform the need for further study into the individual lived experience of emetophobia. Originality/value This paper is original in having identified a need to bring empirical evidence of the lived experience of sufferers with emetophobia into the public and professional domain.

FEATURES OF COPING STRATEGIES IN CONDITIONS OF UNCERTAINTY OF WARTIME

Relevance. The purpose of this article is to empirically investigate the discrepancies in the selection of coping strategies among groups of people during war under various conditions of uncertainty. Methodology. The sample consists of 186 residents of Ukrainian cities who live under various conditions of uncertainty. Methods: author’s questionnaire, methods: «Test for psychological diagnostics of coping mechanisms (E. Heim)», «The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12) (N. Carleton, adaptation by H. Gromova)»; mathematical methods for processing empirical data using the IBM SPSS Statistics 26 package. Results. Respondent groups, based on their location relative to the front line, show statistically significant discrepancies in cognitive and behavioral coping strategies. The empirical study’s analysis showed that individuals living in the front and near-front zones often compare their problems with others and downplay their difficulties more frequently (41,94%) than those living further from the front line (21.94%). Furthermore, individuals closer to the front line show a higher tendency to employ the adaptive coping strategy «altruism» (19.35%), that is, they offer help to others in overcoming difficulties more often than those living further from the front line (6.45%). Both groups predominantly employ relatively adaptive coping strategies. However, a divergence in problem-solving approaches exists: individuals in the front and near-front zones typically avoid problem-solving by engaging in a favorite activity, whereas the other group tends to evade problem-solving by resorting to alcohol, medicines, sedatives, or indulging in tasty food. The study did not identify statistically significant differences between groups regarding intolerance to uncertainty.

Traffic Noise Impacts Glucocorticoid Response, Activity, and Growth in Two Species of Tadpoles.

There is a large body of evidence linking increased noise to negative health effects for animals. Anthropogenic noise induces behavioral and physiological reactions across a range of taxa and increased traffic noise affects glucocorticoid (GC) hormones associated with the stress response in amphibians. GCs help to maintain homeostasis while balancing energetic tradeoffs between reproduction, growth, and activity. Stressors during early development can impact fitness at later life stages. We measured growth, activity, and GCs in response to high levels of traffic noise in two tadpole species that differ in life-history: Acris crepitans and Rana berlandieri. We predicted earlier exposures to traffic noise will slow development and alter behavior and GC concentrations differently than later exposures. Subjects were initially either exposed to natural levels of traffic noise for 8 days (early exposure) or a white noise control (later exposure), then the treatment was switched. Activity was measured via focal sampling and tadpoles were categorized as active if movement was detected. Tadpoles exposed to white noise initially maintained mass and activity throughout the experiment and early exposure to traffic noise had a greater impact on mass, activity, and GCs. Tadpoles exposed to traffic noise initially lost mass, with A. crepitans regaining mass but not R. berlandieri. When exposed earlier to traffic noise, R. berlandieri increased movement when shifted to the white noise treatment while A. crepitans did not significantly change activity. A. creptians had higher corticosterone release rates compared to R. berlandieri, and in both species, release rates were higher for tadpoles exposed to noise earlier. The longer-lived R. berlandieri allocated more of their energetic resources into activity while the shorter-lived A. crepitans allocated energy towards growth. R. berlandieri and A. crepitans utilized different coping strategies to contend with early exposure to traffic noise, potentially due to differences in life histories. Our findings suggest that these tadpoles employ different coping mechanisms to modulate stress responses in noise-polluted environments, and these mechanisms could influence their fitness later in life. Further study is needed to understand the impact in more sensitive tadpole species.

Assessment of Stigma, Violence and Coping Mechanisms Among HIV Infected People Who Inject Drugs in Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria

People who inject drugs (PWIDs) living with HIV face high levels of stigma, violence, and rape due to their risky lifestyles, potentially facilitating the spread of HIV. This study assessed the level and type of stigma and violence among PWIDs attending Heartland Alliance in Akwa Ibom State and their coping mechanisms. This descriptive cross-sectional study of 442 PWIDs receiving care at four one-stop shops in the state was conducted using mixed methods. Quantitative data were collected through pretested structured questionnaires and an adopted stigma scale, administered by trained research assistants using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewer (CAPI). For qualitative data, one focus group discussion (FGD) was held at each site with 8-10 purposively selected PWIDs, and transcripts were analyzed thematically. The study findings reveals that most respondents were male (78%) with a mean age of 32.7±7 years. Pentazocine use was common (52%), and 18% shared needles, with 15% sharing blood after injections among friends. More than half (58%) missed more than one dose of ARVs in the past week. Perceived stigma (59%) was more common than internal stigma (18%), with predictors being student status, non-disclosure of HIV status, and non-adherence to treatment. PWIDs Physical violence (47.5%) and verbal abuse (37.1%) were prevalent among PWIDs. Female PWIDs had a ninefold higher risk of rape. Coping mechanisms included isolation, increased substance use, battle readiness, and positive reframing. <i>Conclusion</i>: PWIDs face significant levels of stigma, violence, and non-adherence, jeopardizing treatment outcomes and perpetuating STI, HIV, and blood-borne infection transmission. Establishing harm-reduction programs is essential to address these vulnerabilities and the consequences associated with drug use.

Work-life balance is essential to reducing burnout, improving well-being.

To assess levels of burnout, well-being, and mental health of veterinarians and compare them to those of nonveterinarians by use of validated instruments, and to identify the predictive values of techniques individuals can use to help reduce burnout and/or improve well-being and mental health. An online survey of 4,636 veterinarians from a random sample of 40,000 US veterinarians provided by the AVMA. The study was fielded from September 11 to October 9, 2023. Burnout and well-being of veterinarians were generally consistent with that of employed US adults. Serious psychological distress was more common among veterinarians than in the general population. Veterinarians on average were more likely to score higher in neuroticism than nonveterinarians, and neuroticism was a predictor of low well-being, poor mental health, and burnout. Work-life balance, an effective coping mechanism for stress, and working in a positive clinic culture were among the significant factors that predicted good well-being and mental health and reduced burnout. The higher percentage than the norm of veterinarians with serious psychological distress was a concern. Focusing on maintaining a good work-life balance and adopting a reliable coping mechanism can potentially help reduce distress. Veterinary medicine is an inherently stressful profession. The purpose of this study was to identify key factors that contribute to burnout, well-being, and mental health and to determine what behaviors and management techniques help reduce stress and burnout and contribute to well-being and mental health, thus improving job satisfaction and personal fulfillment.

Today’s positive affect predicts tomorrow’s experience of meaningful coincidences: a cross-lagged multilevel analysis

ABSTRACT The perception of meaningful patterns in random arrangements and unrelated events takes place in our everyday lives, coined apophenia, synchronicity, or the experience of meaningful coincidences. However, we do not know yet what predicts this phenomenon. To investigate this, we re-analyzed a combined data set of two daily diary studies with a total of N = 169 participants (mean age 29.95 years; 54 men). We investigated if positive or negative affect (PA, NA) predicts the number of meaningful coincidences on the following day (or vice versa). By means of a cross-lagged multilevel modelling approach (Bayesian estimation) we evaluated with which of two theoretical assumptions the data are more in line. First, if meaningful coincidences are facilitated by a broader and more flexible thinking style, PA should positively predict meaningful coincidences at the following day. However, if the experience of meaningful coincidences signifies a strategy to cope with negative feeling states, NA should predict the experience of meaningful coincidences during the following day. In favour of a more flexible thinking style, we found that PA predicted the number of perceived coincidences the following day. We did not find any effect for NA, and therefore, no evidence arguing for the coping mechanism hypothesis of meaningful coincidences.

Social Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Indian Migrant Workers: A Survey-Based Investigation

This research investigates the social impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on Indian migrant workers, aiming to fill a literature gap by providing empirical insights into their experiences and challenges during the pandemic. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected through structured interviews with 200 migrant workers across various regions of India. The study analyzed the impact on employment status, sources of financial support, mental health outcomes, changes in social support networks, access to healthcare services, coping mechanisms, perception of government support, and willingness to return to urban centers for work. The findings highlight a significant decline in employment, reliance on savings and remittances, heightened mental health burden, erosion of social support networks, barriers to healthcare access, diverse coping strategies, dissatisfaction with government support, and reluctance to return to urban centers post-lockdown. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy responses to address the socio-economic and psychological needs of migrant workers, promote resilience, and build more inclusive and equitable societies.

The semiotic remediation of hardtack biscuits during World War One

This study offers the first detailed examination of the materiality of World War One hardtack biscuits – a dense biscuit made from flour, water and salt, which was a key component of ration packs for both Australian and British soldiers. It is specifically concerned with the types of repurposing – or acts of semiotic remediation – that take place, their broader sociocultural functions and the semiotic resources drawn upon to make meaning. Using a combination of multimodal analysis and archival research, it identifies five key acts of semiotic remediation by soldiers – declarations of ownership, letters, diary entries, photo frames and objets d’arts – which showcase hardtacks as unique, unmediated resources for understanding WW1 experiences. It also notes the frequent use of humour as a coping mechanism, as well as the important memorialisation function of hardtacks, acquiring symbolic values disproportionate to their everyday value for bereaved families. Hardtacks, thus, stand as a testimony to the resourcefulness of humans in trying circumstances, holding a wealth of knowledge on the aestheticisation of war that no living person possesses.

A systematic literature review on coping mechanisms and food security during pandemics

A systematic literature review on coping mechanisms and food security during pandemics

Factors associated with posttraumatic stress and anxiety among the parents of babies admitted to neonatal care: a systematic review

BackgroundPosttraumatic stress (PTS) and anxiety are common mental health problems among parents of babies admitted to a neonatal unit (NNU). This review aimed to identify sociodemographic, pregnancy and birth, and psychological factors associated with PTS and anxiety in this population.MethodStudies published up to December 2022 were retrieved by searching Medline, Embase, PsychoINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health electronic databases. The modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for cohort and cross-sectional studies was used to assess the methodological quality of included studies. This review was pre-registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021270526).ResultsForty-nine studies involving 8,447 parents were included; 18 studies examined factors for PTS, 24 for anxiety and 7 for both. Only one study of anxiety factors was deemed to be of good quality. Studies generally included a small sample size and were methodologically heterogeneous. Pooling of data was not feasible. Previous history of mental health problems (four studies) and parental perception of more severe infant illness (five studies) were associated with increased risk of PTS, and had the strongest evidence. Shorter gestational age (≤ 33 weeks) was associated with an increased risk of anxiety (three studies) and very low birth weight (< 1000g) was associated with an increased risk of both PTS and anxiety (one study). Stress related to the NNU environment was associated with both PTS (one study) and anxiety (two studies), and limited data suggested that early engagement in infant’s care (one study), efficient parent-staff communication (one study), adequate social support (two studies) and positive coping mechanisms (one study) may be protective factors for both PTS and anxiety. Perinatal anxiety, depression and PTS were all highly comorbid conditions (as with the general population) and the existence of one mental health condition was a risk factor for others.ConclusionHeterogeneity limits the interpretation of findings. Until clearer evidence is available on which parents are most at risk, good communication with parents and universal screening of PTS and anxiety for all parents whose babies are admitted to NNU is needed to identify those parents who may benefit most from mental health interventions.

A Concurrent Analysis of Drug Relapse Risk, Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy, and Aftercare Experiences among Aftercare Program Clients

The cases of drug use and abuse have predominantly increased globally. This issue has become the most significant challenge among mental health professionals, the national government, and the general population. With the absence of substantial research about drug relapse and avoidance in the Philippines, this mixed-method research seeks to find out the relationship between drug relapse risk and drug avoidance self-efficacy among substance users who participated in the aftercare program. This study employed a concurrent mixed method design, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches. In the quantitative phase, the Advance Warning of Relapse (AWARE) Questionnaire and Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES) were administered to 66 participants from the Aftercare Program (ACP) at the Department of Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Eastern Visayas. The aim was to establish a correlation between the risk of drug relapse and drug avoidance self-efficacy. In the qualitative phase, interviews were conducted with five participants who met the study's inclusion criteria. Purposive sampling was used to select these participants. Quantitative findings revealed that ACP clients had low drug relapse risk and high drug avoidance self-efficacy. Moreover, Pearson product-moment correlation shows an inverse relationship between lower drug relapse risk and high drug avoidance self-efficacy, and vice-versa. However, the correlation between these variables is weak, indicating that drug avoidance self-efficacy is not a strong predictor of relapse risk in aftercare program clients. Similarly, qualitative results exposed the client’s experiences in the After Care Program. Six themes emerge from their experiences, such as their various reasons for taking the drugs, the effects of substance use, their effective coping mechanisms, the treatment of their communities, their accomplishment of recovery goals, and overcoming challenges in their recovery. The study suggests that individuals who participate in the aftercare programs are trying their best to recover and increase their self-efficacy to avoid using drugs. This strong self-efficacy, in combination with various factors such as family support, the acceptance of the community, and continued reminders of the consequences of substance abuse, decreased their vulnerability to use drugs in high-risk situations. The findings will increase the awareness of Filipinos in the prevention and treatment of substance use among their loved ones, relatives, and friends. Likewise, the findings recommend improving the aftercare program to increase its effectiveness and efficiency in preventing relapse among individuals in recovery.

CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY THE POLICE OFFICERS IN CRIME PREVENTION IN TABUK CITY, KALINGA

This study generally determined the challenges encountered by police officers in crime prevention in Tabuk City, Kalinga. The study specifically aimed to determine the specific challenges faced by police officers in effectively preventing crime regarding personal, family, and community relations and resources. Additionally, it sought to investigate the coping mechanisms of police officers to manage the challenges associated with their role in crime prevention. The study used a qualitative-narrative research design, and an interview guide was used to collect the data. The researcher used purposive sampling to select seven participants based on the specific characteristics or criteria relevant to the research questions. Through the use of inductive thematic analysis to analyze the qualitative data, the result revealed that police officers had encountered challenges during the implementation of crime prevention. It includes the impact of duty and personal relationships, threats and attacks, and cultural sensitivity and diversity regarding personal obstacles. Lack of time, high risk and stress, role modeling, and guidance regarding family challenges. Maximum tolerance, community engagement, concealment of criminals, and wrong perception regarding community challenges. Resource challenges require more funds and adequate equipment and vehicles. However, through proactive coping mechanisms, police officers attempted to overcome these obstacles. It concluded that the difficulties encountered by police officers in effectively preventing crime were complex and multifaceted, and they required a holistic approach that prioritized officers' well-being and could better fulfill their mission of promoting public safety. KEYWORDS: Problem encountered, coping mechanism, personal and family challenges, community and resources challenges, police officers

Preventive Health Practices and Stress Management Among Bangladeshi Immigrants During COVID-19: A Culture-Centered Approach

Underrepresented communities were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic across all states in America. Since immigrants have diverse ethnic backgrounds, their health behaviors and coping mechanisms might vary during the pandemic. Therefore, this study investigates the health behaviors of low-income Bangladeshi immigrants in the USA to understand their preventive health practices and stress-buffering processes during COVID-19. Using a culture-centered approach for data analysis, a total of 15 participants, including undocumented immigrants, were recruited for the study. The results show that the immigrants’ health behaviors concerning COVID-19 were heavily influenced by their cultural beliefs, which determined whether they perceived the COVID-19 virus as dangerous or not. Their preventive health practices and stress-buffering processes were predominantly shaped by traditional home remedies, common preventive measures, and prayers. Additionally, it was found that structural barriers made it difficult for them to maintain a healthier life, as they could not afford regular food or medicine delivery services during COVID-19. Not only did affordability pose challenges, but the lack of language and computer skills restricted their online access to purchasing food or other necessities as well. Future research directions and limitations of the study are also discussed.

Prevalence of fatigue and consumption of energy drinks consumption among nursing students studying part-time

Background: Professional nurses who study part-time are faced with demanding tasks, demanding routine, having to cope with their studies and family commitments. Some nurses try different tactics to cope with their demanding tasks, such as the consumption of energy drinks, to alleviate tiredness and fatigue. Although these energy drinks can alleviate fatigue and boost their energy levels, they have adverse effects to their health such as migraines, insomnia, seizures, arrhythmias and other cardiovascular complications.Aim: To determine the health effects of energy drinks among nurses studying part-time.Setting: Selected university in the Gauteng province, South Africa.Methods: Descriptive, quantitative method that was contextual in nature was used. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a conveniently sampled population to determine the health effects of the use of energy drinks. Data analysis were done by means of descriptive statistics using the Statistical package for Social Sciences version 26.Results: Findings indicated that nurses studying part-time experience fatigue (n = 86; 49%). To alleviate fatigue (n = 91; 52%), they use energy drinks.Conclusion: Use of energy drinks is prevalent among the nurses because of fatigue caused by studying while working. To reduce the use of energy drinks, the participants need study leave and to be supported by their families and employers.Contribution: The study encourages reduction or prevent the use of energy drinks by nurses who work and study part-time. Participants must use time management as a coping mechanism.

Coping Styles among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Introduction: Autism falls under the most common category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). It is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability characterized by persistent and pervasive impairments that include challenges with social understanding and communication, difficulty adapting to new situations, and exhibiting repetitive behaviors or interests. Caring for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be an arduous task for caregivers all around the globe. To tide through the various phases of development, certain coping mechanisms are applied by the parents of children with ASD. An impact on the level of parental distress can be evaluated being based on parental coping styles concerning developmental disabilities. Objective: To assess the coping among the parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and to measure the association of coping styles with selected background variables. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 174 parents of children with ASD in selected autism care centers in Kathmandu, Nepal. The data was collected using a questionnaire developed by taking the reference from the Brief COPE questionnaire to evaluate the coping styles used by parents. Descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent sample t-test) were used to analyze data in SPSS vs20. Results: The findings of the study revealed, the majority of the respondents were below 35 years of age (70.1%), female (55.2%), belonged to the Brahmin/Chhetri (63.2%) ethnic group, had a single child (62.1%), belonged to nuclear family (52.9%), were homemakers (34.5%), able to spend sufficiently economically (66.7%) and having a graduate or higher education (71.3%). Similarly, the majority of autistic children were aged between 1 to 5 years (93.1%), and were males (71.3%). In terms of birth order, the majority of children with autism were firstborns (72.4%), did not have any other illnesses (96.6%), and were diagnosed at the age of less than 3 years (62.1%). Overall, the majority of the parents used a problem-focused coping style with a mean of 3.2±0.3, followed by avoidant coping style (2.7±0.4) and emotion-focused coping style (2.5±0.5). Likewise, there was there was a significant association of avoidant coping style with the age of respondents and the number of children they have, emotion-focused coping with ethnicity, and occupation of respondents. Again, the sex of respondents, level of education of spouse, and level of autism of children of respondents were found to have a significant association with both avoidant and emotion-focused coping styles. Overall, the level of education of respondents was associated with overall coping strategies. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, the study concludes that the majority of the respondents used problem problem-focused coping style, followed by avoidant and emotion-focused coping styles. Significant associations were found between various coping styles and demographic attributes such as age, gender, ethnicity, occupation, level of education of respondents as well as their spouse, and the level of ASD of their children. Understanding the coping styles is central to supporting the parents’ coping efforts. Providing parents with effective techniques to manage their emotions can greatly influence how they view their situation, the intensity of the symptoms of their children, and the psychological distress associated with it.

What do you think caused your ALS? An analysis of the CDC national amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient registry qualitative risk factor data using artificial intelligence and qualitative methodology

Objective: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable, progressive neurodegenerative disease with a significant health burden and poorly understood etiology. This analysis assessed the narrative responses from 3,061 participants in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National ALS Registry who answered the question, “What do you think caused your ALS?” Methods: Data analysis used qualitative methods and artificial intelligence (AI) using natural language processing (NLP), specifically, Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) to explore responses regarding participants’ perceptions of the cause of their disease. Results: Both qualitative and AI analysis methods revealed several, often aligned themes, which pointed to perceived causes including genetic, environmental, and military exposures. However, the qualitative analysis revealed detailed themes and subthemes, providing a more comprehensive understanding of participants’ perceptions. Although there were areas of alignment between AI and qualitative analysis, AI’s broader categories did not capture the nuances discovered using the more traditional, qualitative approach. The qualitative analysis also revealed that the potential causes of ALS were described within narratives that sometimes indicate self-blame and other maladaptive coping mechanisms. Conclusions: This analysis highlights the diverse range of factors that individuals with ALS consider as perceived causes for their disease. Understanding these perceptions can help clinicians to better support people living with ALS (PLWALS). The analysis highlights the benefits of using traditional qualitative methods to supplement or improve upon AI-based approaches. This rapidly evolving area of data science has the potential to remove barriers to accessing the rich narratives of people with lived experience.