Coping Strategy Indicator Research Articles

Practices for the development of communicative skills of professional communication of medical university students

Introduction.In this article the problem of formation of communicative skills of professional communication of students of medical high School is considered. Theoretical and methodological approaches to this problem are analyzed. The theoretical basis of the study was the work of MV Rodikov, LV Kochetova, Ln. Vasilyeva about the process of formation of readiness of students of medical University for interpersonal interaction in the professional sphere and in particular the formation of skills of building trust between the doctor and the patient. The authors identified individual and personal qualities necessary for the graduate in practice, such as: the ability to diagnose the social situation; skills of effective interaction with colleagues in the workplace; possession of verbal and non-verbal means of communication in building relationships with patients; rejection of all kinds of stereotypes of patient perception [5,6]. The assessment of such important professionally significant qualities in the formation of communicative competence of the future doctor, such as sociability, tolerance, empathy, goodwill, respect, attentiveness, restraint, flexibility [7, 15]. The authors highlight the psychological characteristics of the doctor, affecting the communicative competence, such as: emotional stability; sensitivity to negative attitude on the part of the patient; anxiety; depression [13]. The important qualities of the future specialist include: the ability to be convincing in conversation with the patient and his relatives, respect for colleagues and their opinion, especially when the issue concerns controversial clinical cases and requires open discussion [8,9,10]. It is noted that the success of the interaction between the doctor and the patient depends on the skills: the establishment of primary contact; elimination of possible contradictions (clash of views of the doctor and the patient); correction of conflict behavior of the patient during medical consultation; ability to inform the patient of "bad news" concerning his health; planning joint actions with the patient [4, 14,31].Materials and methods.A study was conducted on the diagnosis of the ability to empathize in students of a medical university using the method of V. V. Boyko, the specifics of gender attitudes were determined using the «Sex-role questionnaire», the coping styles of behavior were studied using the method «Coping strategies indicator».Results.The study are showed that 44.7% of respondents have an average level of empathic abilities, 53.2% – understated, 2.1% – very low. The girls is in 86.6% the emotional channel of empathy prevailed, which allows the latter to easily enter into an emotional resonance with the other person. Among young men, 52.9% showed rational, 47.1% - intuitive channels of empathy. The analysis showed of the structure of coping behavior that the first place for both girls and boys (66.6% and 88.2%, respectively) was occupied by the problem-solving strategy. The second is the search for social support, which indicates the importance of social support at the initial stage of professional activity.Discussion and Conclusions.It is noteworthy that among those surveyed, attitudes that limit emotional responsiveness prevailed, along with this, students used various empathy channels, allowing them to build the medical process most effectively in the future depending on the situation. The level of communicative competence of students did not differ in terms of "empathy" depending on the specialization. The active position was in the choice of coping strategies allow students to overcome the influence of various types of stress associated with future professional activities.

Factors Influencing Disaster-Incident-Related Impacts on Korean Nursing Students.

The frequency of earthquakes in South Korea is increasing. This study aimed to examine and identify the factors influencing the degree of disaster-incident-related impacts among Korean nursing students who have actual disaster experience. The study sample consisted of 153 nursing students living around the Phohang-si area in Gyeongsang-do, South Korea, and who have actual disaster-incident-related experience. Measures used in this study were the Impact of Event Scale, Perceived Health Status Scale, Psychological Well-Being Scale, and Coping Strategy Indicator (Korean version). The data collection period was from October to December 2018. Factors that influence disaster-incident-related impacts among Korean nursing students in descending order are as follows: perceived health status (β = 0.48), gender (β = −0.28), coping skill (β = 0.18), psychological well-being (β = 0.14), need for disaster education (β = 0.12), and major satisfaction (β = −0.12). This study provides preliminary evidence that perceived health status is a major and primary predictor of disaster-incident-related impacts among Korean nursing students, followed by coping skill and psychological well-being. The findings can be reflected in a pertinent curriculum by actively considering these factors in designing nursing education interventions for managing disaster-incident-related impacts among Korean nursing students.

Coping Strategies, Social Support, Leisure Activities, and Physical Disabilities.

Objectives: Research suggests that individuals with physical disabilities use leisure as a way of dealing with stress and receiving social support. A dearth of information exists about the relationships among leisure, coping, and social support. The purpose of this study was to investigate the types of leisure activities associated with coping strategies and social support among Korean individuals with physical disabilities. Methods: We collected data from individuals who registered with the Korea Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities. After obtaining signed consent, 351 participants completed all 3 instruments: Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI), Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Survey, and Leisure Participation Involvement (LPI). Frequency, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were utilized. Results: Certain leisure activities served as predictors of different types of coping strategies and social support. In particular, participation in social activities was identified as the strongest predictor of coping strategies and social support, and physical activity participation was a strong predictor of the avoidance coping strategy. Conclusions: Social and outdoor activities participation provide important avenues for participants to develop the ability to deal with stress and create social support systems.

Coping facilitated troponin T increases and hypo-responsivity in the copeptin-HPA-axis during acute mental stress in a black cohort: The SABPA study

BackgroundDefensive coping (DefS) was associated with a vulnerable cardiovascular profile in blacks. The copeptin/vasopressin system is a manifestation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis activity and may act as an acute compensatory mechanism when there is a disruption in volume-loading homeostasis, i.e. when cardiac stress is evident. Whether DefS will influence associations between copeptin and cardiac stress markers, remains unclear. Here we aimed to determine associations between acute mental stress responses of copeptin, vascular responsiveness and biomarkers of cardiomyocyte injury [cardiac troponin T (cTnT)] and cardiac wall-stress [N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)] in DefS race groups. MethodsSouth African black and white teachers (n = 378) of both sexes, participated in this target population study. Cases with a history of myocardial infarction, stroke and atrial fibrillation were excluded. We obtained coping scores (Coping Strategy Indicator), beat-to-beat blood pressure and fasting blood samples at rest and after 1-min exposure to the Stroop-Colour-Word-Conflict-test. ResultsInteraction effects (p < .05) for copeptin percentage change (%) during the Stroop-Colour-Word-Conflict-test determined stratification of participants into race and DefS (≥26, above-median score) groups. In DefS blacks, Stroop-Colour-Word-Conflict-test exposure elicited increases in cTnT%, NT-proBNP% and diastolic-blood pressure%. Again, in these individuals, multiple regression analyses showed positive associations between copeptin% and total peripheral resistance%; with inverse associations between copeptin% and cTnT% (p < .05). None of these associations were found in DefS whites. ConclusionsUtilisation of DefS in blacks provoked vascular hyper-responsiveness and cardiac wall stress (elevated cTnT and NT-proBNP); possibly mediated via the copeptin/vasopressin system. However, a presumably hypo-responsive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis during stress exposure could not counteract coronary perfusion deficits via additional copeptin/vasopressin release. The presence of defensiveness may have clinical implications in preventive cardiology.

Coping strategies as moderating factors to compassion fatigue among critical care nurses.

PurposeThis study measured levels of compassion fatigue, burnout and satisfaction among critical care and emergency nurses. It investigated coping strategies as moderating factors and as predictors to levels of compassion fatigue.MethodsUsing a cross–sectional design, this study was conducted on 228 (84.4%) out of 270 from four Jordanian hospitals. Nurses worked in different types of critical care units and emergency departments. Nurses completed a demographic questionnaire on the professional quality of life and coping strategies indicator scales.ResultsNurses had low to average compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary stress syndrome. Problem‐solving and avoidance ranged between very low and average levels. Nurses reported having very low to average levels on seeking social support scale. Female nurses had better compassion satisfaction compared with their male colleagues, and the type of unit had a significant impact on the secondary stress syndrome, problem‐solving, and seeking social support. Nurses from the surgical cardiovascular ICU scored the highest mean scores on the secondary stress syndrome. Better coping strategies were associated with higher compassion satisfaction and lower levels of secondary stress syndrome. Problem‐solving significantly predicted compassion satisfaction, avoidance significantly predicted secondary traumatic syndrome.ConclusionsCoping strategies are moderating factors that could improve compassion satisfaction among critical care nurses. Managers could use findings to create healthier and supportive work environments. We recommend focusing on activities that promote better coping strategies, including improving the social support system. We also recommend replicating this study using a qualitative approach to identify further causes of compassion fatigue.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and coping mechanism among migrant returnees from middle east countries in Amhara region, Ethiopia

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess risk factors and measure prevalence rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Coping Mechanisms of migrant returnees from Middle East countries in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Methods: Mixed method explanatory research design was employed on 376 randomly selected migrant returnees in six nominated towns of the region. PTSD checklist and Coping Strategy Indicator were employed for assessment. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and interview were also utilized. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test and MANOVA were utilized to analyze the collected data. Result: The general life time prevalence rate of PTSD was 26.2%. Correspondingly, avoidance, intrusive thought and hyper arousal were reported core symptoms of PTSD in their due order. Likewise, to improve quality of life, failure in educational endeavor, peer and family pressure, unemployment and poverty were the major factors for migration to Middle East. In this study, the independent t-test result shows that there was statistically significant mean difference between male and female respondents in experiencing intrusive thought (t (374)=-2.62, p&lt;0.05), avoidance (t (374)=-3.14, p&lt;0.05) and hyper arousal (t (374)=-2.86, p&lt; 0.05). Besides, current employment status of returnees had statistically significant effect in experiencing intrusive thought (t (374)=2.45, p&lt;0.05), avoidance (t (374)=-2.42, p&lt;0.05) and hyper arousal (t (374) = 2.10, p&lt;0.05). In addition, a MANOVA result revealed that there were statistically significant differences between participants with their respective age (F (6,522)=2.230, p˂0.05), educational status (F (9,665)=3.051, p&lt;0.05), average monthly income (F (6,522)=0.867, p˂0. 05) and types of abuse they faced (F (9,635)=2.113, p˂0. 05) on PTSD dimensions (intrusive thought, avoidance and hyper arousal). Correspondingly, ANOVA result disclosed that age, educational status, types of abuse returnees’ face and monthly income in the Middle East had statistically significant effect on intrusive thought, avoidance and hyper arousal separately. As contributing factors for PTSD, limitations on freedom of movement, enforced cultural isolation, verbal and sexual abuse, excessive working hours, being arrested, confiscation of documents, withholding of wage and life threatening trial were highly reported problems. Finally, problem solving, seeking social support and avoidance coping mechanisms were utilized in their due order. Conclusion: The life time prevalence rate of PTSD were very high. Therefore, mental health service providers shall consider in diagnosing and treating PTSD among migrant returnee

The effect of burnout syndrome of nurses on the quality of care

The article deals with the problem from the field of developmental psychology and acmeology, associated with the study of the phenomenon of burnout syndrome in nurses and its impact on the quality of medical care. The interest of the study to this problem is due to the real psycho-emotional and psychosocial problems that the nurse is facing daily in her professional activities. Empirical data on the identification of burnout syndrome and preferred behavioural strategies in the implementation of professional tasks among nurses are given. To obtain empirical data, the following methods were used in the study: the method of Viktor Boyko "Study of Burnout"; the James H. Amirkhan questionnaire "The Coping Strategy Indicator", as well as a patient survey"Patient Satisfaction with the Quality of Medical Services Provided" was conducted. According to the obtained results, the degree of risk to the burnout syndrome among practicing nurses is quite acute. Thus, at different stages of professionalisation there is a tendency for the examined people to have symptoms of emotional burnout of various severity levels, however this indicator has little effect on the quality of medical services. The results of the study indicate that this situation is due to the presence of personal resources in nurses, coping strategies that allow her to adequately solve professional tasks, as well as to findinternal resources to overcome problematic situations.

Coping and Cardiac Troponin T – A Risk for Hypertension and Sub-Clinical ECG Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: The SABPA Study

Defensive coping (DefS) was associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) susceptibility in Blacks. Whether coping strategies will associate with sub-clinical left ventricular hypertrophy (electrocardiographic-left ventricular hypertrophy [ECG-LVH] or Cornell product), cardiomyocyte injury and blood pressure (BP), is unclear. Therefore, we assessed relationships between ECG-LVH, cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and 24-hour BP in bi-ethnic groups when habitually utilising a certain coping style, and these groups when having a stress-related cTnT cut-point of 4.2ng/L. A target population study included a Black (n=190) and White (n=204) teachers' gender cohort (20-65years) from South Africa. The Coping Strategy Indicator determined DefS, social support and avoidance coping scores. Fasting blood samples, 10-lead ECG, 24-hour BP and ECG data were obtained. Interaction effects showed no gender, social support and avoidance coping differences. Stratification of groups was done for ethnicity and DefS. Blacks sought more social support, used less avoidance coping and presented with higher CVD susceptibility. Hypertension prevalence and ECG-LVH levels in DefS Blacks (63%) were higher compared to DefS Whites (40%). Multivariate regression analyses showed positive associations between Cornell product, cTnT and BP [p≤0.05] in DefS Blacks only. Their 24-hour systolic blood pressure (SBP) was associated with time-domain depressed heart-rate-variability and prolonged ST-segment-depression especially when applying an established stress-related cTnT ≥ 4.2ng/L cut-point. Defensive coping facilitated autonomic hyperactivity, myocardial injury and subsequent compensatory BP elevations as possible homeostatic reflexes to alleviate myocardial perfusion deficits. The resulting pressure overload increased sub-clinical wall remodelling and ischaemic heart disease risk in Blacks utilising habitual defensiveness. We therefore recommend regular ECG and high sensitivity cTnT screening in asymptomatic patients with emotional stress susceptibility. Longitudinal evidence is needed to confirm causality and progression of cardiomyopathy risk.

Defensive coping facilitated a smaller cortisol-to-estradiol ratio and a higher hypertension risk: the SABPA study

Objectives: Taxing psychosocial stress and defensive coping have been associated with hypoactivity in cortisol, a vasoconstrictive agent. Estradiol has vasodilatory properties with cardio- and neuroprotective effects. It can however also induce α1-adrenergic vasoconstrictive responsiveness. We aimed to determine whether the cortisol-to-estradiol ratio (Cort:E2) may augment α1-adrenergic responsiveness and hypertension risk when habitually using defensive coping.Methods: African (n = 168) and Caucasian (n = 207) men and women (46 ± 9 years) were included. Preferential use of defensive coping was determined from Coping Strategy Indicator questionnaire scores. 24h Ambulatory blood pressure was obtained. Fasting serum estradiol and cortisol samples were collected before 09h00 and Cort:E2 was calculated.Results: Estradiol was higher in ethnic-coping groups. Smaller Cort:E2, higher estradiol levels, self-reported emotional stress (19.05% vs. 9.66%) and 24h blood pressure reaching hypertensive status (65% vs. 24%) were evident in African compared to Caucasian men (p ≤ .05). A smaller Cort:E2 was associated with augmented 24h SBP and 24h DBP in African men [Adj R2 0.21–0.29 (p ≤ .05)], and especially when utilizing defensive coping [Adj R2 0.34–0.38 (p ≤ .001)].Conclusions: A smaller Cort:E2 was associated with raised blood pressure in defensive coping African men. Defensive coping, possibly via highly activated α1-adrenergic vasoconstrictive responses, may facilitate neuro-endocrine dysfunction and hypertension in African men.

Factors Affecting the Students’ Coping Strategy Dealing with National Nurse Competence Examination: Which are More Related?

&lt;span&gt;National nurse competency examination (UKNI) aims to measure standards of nurses approved with Nurse’s Register License. This examination could induce anxieties that affect students’ readiness, performance and graduation. The objective of this study was to describe coping strategy in dealing with national nurse competency examination and its related factors which are anxiety and perception. A descriptive study was performed on 80 nursing students at clinical rotation nursing program who enrolled in March 2017’s nurse competency examination. German Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI-G), Perception Questionnaire and Coping Strategy Indicators (CSI) were used to measure exam anxiety, student’s perception and coping strategy respectively. The results show that regarding to students’ perception, 37 students (46,3%) demonstrated good perception and the rest (58,7%) showed poor perception. Forty two students (52.5%) experienced low anxiety and the rest (47.5%) experienced high anxiety. In regards to coping strategy in dealing with competence examination, 44 students were in good category (55%), while 36 students (45%) were in poor category. This study implies that information about the national nurse competence examination should be provided as earlier as possible, so that students could make adequate preparation.&lt;/span&gt;

QUALITY OF LIFE, MENTAL ADJUSTMENT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION OF MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY

Aim. To assess the quality of life and mental adjustment of mothers of children with epilepsy; to further specify the areas of psychological rehabilitation. Materials and methods . One hundred and twenty women who had children with epilepsy were studied. Clinical assessment of their mental state and their psychological condition were performed using the following instruments: the WHOQOL-BREF, the Stigmatization-of-Patients-with-Epilpesy questionnaire (Wasserman LI, Mikhailov VA), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Zung Anxiety Rating Scale (Z-CDS), the Level-of-SocialFrustration questionnaire (Wasserman LI), the Coping Strategy Indicator (Amirkhan D), and the Value Survey (Rokeach M). Results. We found symptoms of anxiety in 51 women (42.5%) and symptoms of neurotic disorders in 34 women (28.3%); among the latter, neurasthenia was diagnosed in 8 women and prolonged depression – in 26 women. The symptoms were accompanied by dissatisfaction with their quality of life, social frustration, maladjustment, high selfstigma due to the child’s disease, hyper-social attitudes and preference for choosing irrational coping strategies in difficult situations. Conclusion. The results indicate the ways of psychological rehabilitation (i.e. psychological education and prevention) of such mothers to improve their mental adjustment and stress resistance.

Possible role of stress, coping strategies, and life style in the development of breast cancer.

Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility of the effect of life long stressful events, along with coping method used, perception of social support, and life style on the development of breast cancer. Methods In this hospital-based case control study, the study group comprised 250 women with breast cancer who were followed by Florence Nightingale Breast Study Group. Control group included 250 women, who had similar sociodemographic characteristics to the study group. Data were collected with semi-structured interview form, Healthy Life Style Behavior Scale, Coping Strategy Indicator, and Stress Evaluation Form developed by us. Results In multivariate analysis, family history of cancer (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 2.29-1.05), inadequate social support (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.23-2.73), and loss of father during childhood (OR: 2.68, 95% CI: 5.52-1.30) and serious stressor within the last five years (OR: 4.72, 95% CI: 7.03-3.18) were found to be risk factors increasing the risk of breast cancer. When family history of cancer was excluded from the model, the presence of psychiatric disorder history (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 3.26-1.17) and major life events (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 4.07-1.24) were added to the model as risk factors. Conclusion The present study indicates that especially the stressful events experienced within the last five years plays an undeniable role in the risk of breast cancer. Social support may be as important in the period before the diagnosis as in the period after diagnosis.

Depression and Coping Mechanism among Migrant Returnees from Middle East Countries in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess risk factors and measure prevalence of depression disorder and coping mechanisms of migrant returnees from Middle East countries in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Methods: Mixed method explanatory research design was employed on 376 randomly selected migrant returnees in six nominated towns of the region. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Abusive Behavioral Checklist (ABC) and Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI) were employed for assessment. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and interview were also utilized. Descriptive statistics, independent ttest, dependent t-test and ANOVA were utilized to analyze the collected data. Result: The general life time prevalence of depression disorder was 34.8%. Specifically, headache, stomachache and irritability were most frequently reported core symptoms of depression by most of returnees, but suicidal thoughts, pessimism, and sadness occur as well. Likewise, imprisonment, ill health condition without access to medical care, serious physical injury from combat situation, witness of beatings to head or body, witness of torture, forced for separation from family members, isolation from others, for lack of shelter, lack of food or water, for evacuation under dangerous conditions, witness of rape or sexual abuse and physical abuse like beating to the body were highly reported traumatic experience by domestic migrant returnees respectively. In this study, the independent t-test result shows that there was statistically significant mean difference in sex (t(374)=-4.075, p<0.05), employment status (t(374)=2.178, p<0.05) and legal status of migrant returnees (t(374)=-9.058, p<0.05) in experiencing depression disorder. Besides, ANOVA result revealed that age (F(3,372)=19.003, p<0.05), educational status (F(2,372)=6.939, p<0.05), average monthly income of the returnees in Middle East countries (F(2,373)=44.072, pA‹Â‚0.05), types of abuse that returnees’ face (F(3,372)=2.996, pA‹Â‚0.05) had statistically significant effect on depression disorder of migrant returnees. Finally, problem solving, seeking social support and avoidance coping mechanisms were utilized by returnees in their due order. Conclusion: The life time prevalence of depression disorder was very high. Therefore, mental health service providers shall consider in diagnosing and treating depression disorder among migrant returnees.

Roles of Biopsychosocial Factors in the Development of Breast Cancer.

The aim of this study was to determine the roles of biopsychosocial risk factors in the development of breast cancer. This hospital-based case-control study included 491 women with breast cancer (study group) and 512 women who did not have cancer or other serious diseases (control group). Biological, psychological, and social risk factors were compared between the two groups. Data were collected using the semi-structured interview, the Stress Assessment Form, and the Coping Strategy Indicator to assess these factors. When the significantly different biopsychosocial variables between the study and the control groups were evaluated together, independent breast cancer risk factors were found as follows: a stressor experienced in the last 5 years, age 40 years and older, inadequate social support perception, use of avoidance coping strategy, being a housewife, having a family history of cancer, and having a body mass index ≥25. This study showed a relationship between breast cancer risk and manageable variables (obesity, stressor and coping strategy, social support, and employment status), age and family history of cancer, which are biopsychosocial factors. Biopsychosocial aspects are becoming a greater part of many different healthcare systems.

Defensive coping and essential amino acid markers as possible predictors for structural vascular disease in an African and Caucasian male cohort: The SABPA study.

Defensive coping (DefS), oxidative stress, inflammation, and related amino acids (phenylalanine [Phe] and tyrosine [Tyr]) have been implicated in cardiovascular disease. This study assessed whether inflammation, oxidative stress, changes in essential amino acids, and altered coping strategies are correlated with subclinical vascular changes in African (n = 82) and Caucasian (n = 100) men from the Sympathetic Activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Africans (SABPA) study. The Coping Strategy Indicator questionnaire identified DefS participants. Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) was monitored for 24 h, whereas carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and cross-sectional wall area (CSWA) were determined ultrasonically. Essential amino acids were analyzed with a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. Oxidative-inflammatory markers were measured by spectrophotometry. African men had poorer health than Caucasian men, including higher alcohol abuse, elevated BP, abdominal obesity, physical inactivity, and elevated inflammation. Phe (p < .001) and Phe/Tyr ratio (p = .006) as well as CIMT (p = .032) were higher in African men. DefS African men had higher levels of Phe (p = .002) and Phe/Tyr (p = .009) compared to DefS Caucasian men; these differences were not observed in non-DefS men. Systolic BP and inflammation (C-reactive protein) were positively associated with left (L-) CSWA, while Phe/Tyr was negatively associated with L-CSWA in DefS African men. African males presented with elevated Phe and Phe/Tyr ratio, catecholamine precursors, worsening during DefS-possibly driven by inflammation and BP contributing to structural vascular abnormalities.

Stress and Coping Strategies among University Freshmen in Hong Kong: Validation of the Coping Strategy Indicator

This study has examined the validation of the Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI) with the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) as a criterion for a sample of Chinese university students in Hong Kong, which consists of one hundred and ninety-four freshmen from the local universities. The relationship between freshmen’s coping efforts and adjustment to university life in the Hong Kong context has been investigated, using the CSI as the measure of coping and the GHQ-12 as the screening instrument for mental health. The results indicate high internal consistency of the three CSI coping scales, implying that the CSI can be a valid instrument to assess the coping efforts of university students of Hong Kong. Moreover, the samples of freshmen are found to prefer positive coping strategies, and female students are more willing to seek social support than males in coping with stress.

Stressful point-of-care rapid testing for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and syphilis.

Even with technological advances in point-of-care rapid testing for HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis, individuals may still find the experience of submitting to testing, and receiving results, to be stressful. Participants completed the rapid test experience questionnaires to assess stress both prior to and after the specimen collection. Participants completed the risk behavior assessment, the coping strategies indicator, and the Barratt impulsivity scale. Participants chose which rapid tests they wanted using a list administered via computer. Logistic regression analysis was used to model self-reported stress prior to testing and after testing. A total of 1097 individuals completed testing. Individuals who scored high on avoidance reported a stressful experience at pretest (OR = 1.15, CI = 1.04, 1.26) while higher educational attainment was associated with no stress at both time points. Injection drug users, avoidant, and impulsive individuals experience stress either before or after rapid testing. Education appears to be protective against stressful testing.

The Relationship Between Psychosocial Adjustment and Coping Strategies Among Patients With Multiple Sclerosis in Turkey.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease with significant psychosocial adjustment challenges. The objective of the study was to assess the psychosocial adjustment and coping strategies in patients with MS and to put forth the relationships between them. The sample group comprised 85 outpatients with MS who were admitted to the Neurology Clinic of a university hospital for treatment between October 2007 and July 2008. Data were acquired via an information form and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale and Coping Strategy Indicator. It was determined that 55% of the patients had poor psychosocial adjustment levels. Statistically significant relationship was found between Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self-Report and problem solving as well as seeking social support coping strategies ( p < .01). Psychosocial adjustment got worse with decreasing problem-solving and seeking-social support coping strategies of patients. The psychosocial adjustment to MS of patients is closely related with effective coping strategies. The results have emphasized the significant role of mental health and social services and coping strategies regarding the comprehensive care needs of these patients.

Effects of partial sleep deprivation on reaction time in anesthesiologists.

Fatigue in anesthesiologists may have implications that extend beyond individual well-being. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of sleep deprivation on the reaction time in anesthesiologists either after an overnight call or regular working hours. Moderation of this effect by coping strategies was observed. Psychomotor vigilance test was used to assess reaction time in 23 anesthesiologists at two time-points: (i) on a regular non-call day and (ii) after a 17-h in-house call. Student's paired t-test was used to compare Psychomotor Vigilance Task data at these two moments. Change score regression was performed to determine the association between coping strategies, assessed using the Coping Strategy Indicator instrument, and decline in reaction time after night call. Twenty-one colleagues completed the psychomotor vigilance test measurements after two decided to end their participation for personal reasons. Post-call psychomotor vigilance test mean reaction time decreased by an average of 31.2 ms (95% CI: 0.5, 61.9; P = 0.047) when compared to regular day. Reliance on specific coping mechanisms, indicated by Coping Strategy Indicator scale scores, included problem-solving (28 ± 4), followed by seeking social support (23 ± 5) and avoidance (19 ± 4). The change score regression model (r2 = 0.48) found that greater reliance on avoidance was associated with greater increase in reaction time after night call. Reaction time increased considerably in anesthesiologists after a night call duty. Greater subjective reliance on avoidance as a coping strategy was associated with greater deterioration in performance.

Application of the Extended Health Control Belief Model to Predict Hepatitis A and B Vaccinations.

Adult vaccination compliance rates vary according to sample and type of vaccine administered (influenza, pneumococcal). This study looked at vaccination of a community sample of low-income, minority adults. Nurses offered free vaccination for hepatitis A and B in the form of the combined Twinrix vaccine to adults on a walk-in basis. In addition to dosing information, participants completed the Risk Behavior Assessment, the Coping Strategies Indicator and the Cardiovascular Risk Assessment. Skaff's extended Health Belief Model was used as the theoretical framework. Count regression was used to model receipt of one, two, or three doses. The majority of participants were male with a mean age of 40years. The distribution of doses was: 173 individuals (27.6%) received one dose only, 261 (41.7%) received two doses, and 191 (30.5%) received three doses of vaccine. The multivariate count regression model including being male, having previously been told by a health care provider that one has syphilis, having severe negative emotions, and perceived social support were associated with participants' receiving fewer doses of hepatitis vaccine. A greater problem-solving score was associated with a higher number of vaccine doses received. Despite free vaccinations offered in an easily accessible community setting, the majority of participants failed to complete the hepatitis vaccine series. More effort is needed to get adult men to participate in hepatitis vaccination clinics. Additional research is necessary to understand barriers other than cost to adults receiving vaccination.