General Coping Strategies Research Articles

Perceived Weight Discrimination and General Coping Strategies.

Perceived weight discrimination is associated consistently with worse health outcomes. Coping strategies may be one mechanism of this association. The present research examined the association between perceived weight discrimination and strategies used to cope with general stress (not weight-specific) and whether these strategies accounted for part of the association with markers of health. Participants (N = 1882) completed a cross-sectional survey with a comprehensive measure of coping strategies and reported on their perceived experience of weight discrimination and markers of physical, mental, and social health. Perceived weight discrimination was associated with greater use of disengaged coping strategies (β = .19, p < .01) and was unrelated to active and support coping strategies. Disengaged coping mediated the association between weight discrimination and worse physical, mental, and social health (proportion of mediation ranged from 14 to 47%). This pathway was independent of body mass index (BMI). Individuals in the obesity weight category (BMI ≥ 30kg/m2) were less likely to use active (β = - .11, p < .01) and support (β = - .09, p < .01) coping strategies, which did not consistently mediate the association with health. Perceived experiences of weight discrimination are associated with disengaged coping strategies to manage stressful experiences, and these strategies are one mechanism that may contribute to the worse health associated with unfair treatment due to weight.

Coping strategies of fathers and siblings of children with cancer: a literature review

IntroductionsThe impact of paediatric cancer diagnosis on the family system is universally recognised, as well as the need for the family to find a new balance. Paediatric nurses, being promoters...

A qualitative analysis of nutritional needs and dietary changes during cancer treatment in Ireland.

Cancer and its associated side effects can cause changes in dietary intakes of people with cancer due to a variety of nutrition impact symptoms. These symptoms can lead to suboptimal dietary intakes which negatively affect muscle mass and therefore survivorship. The aim of this qualitative study was to assess the nutrition needs and dietary changes made by cancer patients in Ireland. Online focus groups were completed with cancer patients and caregivers, and demographic information was collected via an online questionnaire. An inductive thematic analysis approach was utilised to derive themes and subthemes from the data. Four online focus groups were held with cancer patients and caregivers (n = 15) which reflected 18 total cancer experiences. Novel themes identified from this research included that symptoms were varied and transient-coming and going rapidly-and that patients were not satisfied with dietetic and broader nutrition services provided by hospitals. Themes that aligned with previous research were the severity and variety of nutrition impact symptoms and the variety of both evidence-based and non-evidence-based nutrition strategies used by patients to overcome nutrition impact symptoms, as general coping strategies, and potentially due to the belief that nutrition can be curative. Treatment of nutrition impact symptoms must be rapid and responsive. The development of responsive self-management resources such as booklets and apps for patients is likely to be valuable to ensure that patients can access support for their nutrition impact symptoms as-and when-they occur. Nutrition support must be integrated across the multi-disciplinary team to optimise trust in nutrition strategies.

Coping with a global crisis-Changes in worries about the Russo-Ukrainian War.

Global crises, such as the Russo-Ukrainian War, can lead to worrying, which in turn can result in health problems when not positively coped with. This study investigates how the worries of Germans are related to general coping strategies. Three consecutive online surveys were distributed from the beginning of March until the beginning of May 2022. The surveys assessed participants' worries about the Russo-Ukrainian War and their use of four coping domains for the two preceding weeks. A total of 175 (54.3% female; Mage= 33.3, SD= 13.6, 18-66 years) participants completed all three questionnaires. Worries and coping (meaning-focused, problem-focused, social, and avoidance coping) declined over time. Cross-sectionally all coping domains, except meaning-focused coping, correlated positively with initial worries, indicating a higher use of coping strategies when worries were present. In line with this, the use of both social and avoidance coping declined over the course of the study when worries were reduced. Furthermore, a higher initial use of avoidance coping was associated with a stronger decline in worries. Worries and coping strategies both declined following the Russian invasion of Ukraine which suggests that worries and coping strategies adapt to one another over time.

STRESS AND COPING SKILLS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: This study aims to assess the stress and coping skills among undergraduate medical students.&#x0D; Methods: A quantitative cross sectional study conducted from September to November 2022, in University College of medicine and dentistry, UOL. The participants were MBBS students of 1st year until final year. The data was collected by using three questionnaires: demographic form, suanprung stress test and COPE inventory and was analyzed by using SPSS25. Associated factors of stress were analyzed by Kruskal-wallis and chi square test.&#x0D; Results: Data was collected from 675/780 undergraduate medical students with a response rate of 86.5%. Female students responded (53%) in majority as compared to males (47%). According to the association between general demographic characteristics and coping strategies, gender, scores, religion, and illness have been found to have significant correlation with adaptive coping strategies. These demographic characteristics may influence how an individual responds to stress and may affect their ability to use adaptive coping strategies.&#x0D; Conclusion: Usually medical students have flexible coping skills. Adaptive coping mechanisms were significantly correlated with gender, education and health problem.&#x0D; Keywords: undergraduate; medical; stress; coping skills&#x0D; &#x0D;

A biopsychosocial-spiritual wellness check program for internal medicine residents: A brief report.

The pandemic has significantly impacted medical residents. We created and implemented a biannual biopsychosocial-spiritual Wellness Check Program (WCP) to help internal medicine residents self-assess for burnout, enhance resilience, and to promote early identification and referral to mental health services. We report the preliminary findings from our quality improvement pilot effort at Loma Linda University Health (LLUH). Residents participated in biannual sessions with licensed therapists employed by Loma Linda University, Office of Physician Vitality (OPV). Visits consisted of an evidence-guided discussion about general wellbeing, relationships, family life, coping strategies, and referrals. Archived, confidential WCP session notes between July 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 were reviewed and a simple tally system was used to record coping strategies, concerns, and referrals made. Partner and family issues were the most prevalent concern, followed by mental health issues, and relationships with colleagues, faculty, or staff. Most residents described several coping strategies: 66.36% listed two to three, and 26.36% listed four or more. Referrals were offered to community or employee assistance program therapists, follow-up with the OPV, psychiatry, couple counseling, given Web based psychoeducational links, or referred to their program director. Nine other residencies requested the WCP providing anecdotal evidence of its feasibility and usefulness. As the pandemic surged, these visits normalized reflections about wellbeing, intentional coping strategies, and resilience practices. We continue to gather data to refine and further structure this program and help residents monitor and address their resilience needs and wellness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Factors Related to Clinical Competence among Graduating Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study investigated clinical competency, COVID-19-related anxiety, coping strategies, self-efficacy, and perceived stress among graduating nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional survey. Participants were recruited from universities located in four major cities in South Korea. General demographic information, clinical competency, self-efficacy, perceived stress, COVID-19-related anxiety, and coping strategies were assessed using reliable questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple regression tests were used to analyze the data. The mean clinical competency, self-efficacy, perceived stress, adaptive coping, and maladaptive coping were 138.16 ± 18.34, 83.85 ±14.02, 21.37 ± 5.79, 53.15 ± 4.64, and 30.98 ± 6.73, respectively. COVID-19-related anxiety was reported by 4.3% of participants. Clinical competency was significantly positively correlated with self-efficacy (r = .44, p < .001) and adaptive coping (r = .20, p = .035) and was significantly negatively correlated with maladaptive coping (r = .20, p = .035). The predictors of clinical competency were self-efficacy (β = .434, p < .001) and adaptive coping (β = .173, p < .039), which explained 23% of the variance in clinical competency. Self-efficacy and adaptive coping strategies are significant predictors of clinical competence during the pandemic. Planning and implementing various curricular and non-curricular activities to increase senior students' self-efficacy and adaptive coping strategies will help prepare competent nursing graduates for the pandemic when they enter the nursing workforce.

Efeitos da terapia vocal indireta via telefonoaudiologia na autoavaliação e qualidade vocal de profissionais da educação física

ABSTRACT Purpose: this study aimed to verify the effects of indirect vocal therapy (IVT), via telehealth, in physical education professionals in voice self-assessment, as well as vocal quality. Methods: 16 physical education professionals, aged between 18 and 50 years, both sexes, participated in the study. All participants were submitted to eight IVT sessions twice a week, 30 minutes each, remotely. The assessments happened remotely, too. Vocal health was explained to modify vocal habits and general health, coping strategies, stress management, and therapeutic interaction. The following protocols were applied: Vocal Disorders Screening Index, Voice Symptoms Scale (VoiSS), Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and vocal recording (/a/ and counting) was performed, evaluating the general degree of vocal quality, pre and post-IVT. The Wilcoxon Test (p&lt;0.05) was applied to verify the findings. Results: there was a significant decrease in the values of the VoiSS protocol (total p=0.041; limitation p=0.032), and VHI (total p=0.012; p=0.005), and in the general degree of vocal quality in vowel /a/ (p=0.011). Conclusion: IVT applied through telehealth in physical education professionals, has positive effects on vocal and laryngopharyngeal symptoms, improving the self-perception of voice handicaps. IVT significantly improved the general degree of vocal quality, only in the emission of the sustained vowel.

Sociodemographic and Digital Education Factors Are Associated to General Health, Coping Strategies, and Academic Outcomes of Undergraduate Students during the Post-Pandemic Period.

The COVID-19 pandemic suddenly and forever changed the lives of many undergraduate students around the globe, forcing them to switch to online learning while undergoing social confinement within their homes. It is now well-established that this prolonged period of uncertainty impacted students’ well-being, health, and academic achievement. However, how student-related factors, such as coping strategies as well as sociodemographic, contextual, and technological variables, are linked to digital education factors is currently less understood. Using multiple regression analysis, this study investigates the results of an online questionnaire administered to students from two universities in southern Italy, differing in positioning and size, as well as policies and attitude towards digital learning. The results of this study show the positive effects of expertise with digital devices and university digital learning policies on students’ perceived general health. Conversely, isolation and lack of relational connectedness negatively impacted students’ health. Furthermore, this study highlights the role of different coping strategies, demonstrating that active forms of coping have a positive effect on students’ health, whereas avoidance strategies have the opposite effect. Taken together, this study provides crucial links between the many factors influencing students’ experience with online learning and health, and provides useful indications to promote the uptake of and adaptation to online learning.

General Well-being and Coping Strategies in Adult Eosinophilic Esophagitis Patients.

Background/AimsGrowing evidence suggests a negative effect of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) on patients’ general health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, the relevance and use of coping strategies and its relation to (disease specific) HRQOL as well as its determinants have not been studied well.MethodsAdult EoE patients were invited to complete standardized measures on general HRQOL (Short Form-36 Health Survey [SF-36]) and coping strategies (Utrechtse Coping Lijst [UCL]). Scores were compared to general population norms. The disease specific Adult Eosinophilic Esophagitis Quality of Life (EoE-QOL-A) measure was used to assess EoE-HRQOL. Socio-demographic-and clinical factors were also evaluated.ResultsIn total, 147 adult EoE patients (61% males), age 43 (interquartile range, 29-52) years were analyzed. Mental health-scores (SF-36) were significantly lower in EoE patients, whereas physical health-scores (SF-36) were similar in EoE patients (vs the general population; P = 0.010 and P = 0.240), respectively. The subdomain “disease anxiety” (EoE-QOL-A) was mostly affected, determinants were; female gender, younger age, severe clinical disease activity, higher number of food bolus extraction, and more recent EoE-diagnosis. Less effective coping styles (ie, passive/palliative reaction) were associated with a significant impact on each individual EoE-HRQOL-subdomain as well as lower scores of the Mental Health Component Scale in male EoE patients. Passive reaction in female EoE-patients correlated with impairment of the EoE-HRQOL-domains “emotional impact” and “disease anxiety.” Active problem solving was significantly related to better perception of mental HRQOL (SF-36) in both males and females.ConclusionsEoE has a significant negative impact on mental HRQOL, with less effective coping strategies––specifically in males, being a relevant determinant. Thus, a pro-active approach towards coping mechanisms is needed in order to enhance HRQOL and manage patients’ burden of EoE.

Predictors of psychological risk and resilience among Syrian refugee children.

War-exposed refugee children are at elevated risk for mental health problems, but a notable proportion appear resilient. We aimed to investigate the proportion of Syrian refugee children who can be considered resilient, and applied a novel approach to identify factors predicting individual differences in mental health outcomes following war exposure. The sample included 1,528 war-exposed Syrian refugee children and their primary caregiver living in refugee settlements in Lebanon. Children were classed as having low symptoms (LS) if they scored below clinically validated cut-offs for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and externalising behaviour problems. Children scoring above any cut-off were classified as having high symptoms (HS). Each LS child was matched with one HS who reported similar war exposure, to test what differentiates children with similar exposures but different outcomes. 19.3% of the children met our resilience criteria and were considered LS. At the individual level, protective traits (e.g. self-esteem; OR = 1.51, 95% CI [1.25, 1.81]) predicted LS classification, while environmental sensitivity (OR = 0.69, 95% CI [0.59, 0.82]), poorer general health (OR = 0.71, 95% CI [0.58, 0.87]) and specific coping strategies (e.g. avoidance; OR = 0.90, 95% CI [0.85, 0.96]) predicted HS classification. Social/environmental predictors included perceived social support (OR = 1.23, 95% CI [1.02, 1.49]), loneliness and social isolation (OR = 0.85, 95% CI [0.80, 0.90]), child maltreatment (OR = 0.96, 95% CI [0.94, 0.97]), and caregiver mental and general health (e.g. caregiver depression; OR = 0.94, 95% CI [0.92, 0.97]). Future research should take multiple dimensions of functioning into account when defining risk for mental health problems and consider the identified predictors as potential targets for interventions.

Evaluating mediation and moderation effects in call center employees: A correlational investigation into fatigue, general health, coping and sleep disturbances

Sleep disturbance is usually present in night-shift workers. The objective of this study was to explore the relationships among fatigue, general health, coping and sleep disturbance together with mediating role of general health and moderating role of coping strategies i.e. Task, Emotion oriented &amp;Avoidance in night-shift call center workers. Correlation research design was adopted with sample (N=200) assessed from call centers of Lahore by applying purposive sampling strategy. Data was obtained by administering Multi-dimensional Fatigue Inventory, General Health Questionnaire-28, Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations-21, and Screening Questionnaire for Sleep Disturbance in Shift Workers. Data was analyzed by using Pearson product moment correlation, Hierarchical Multiple Regression Analysis and Hayes Process Regression analysis. Results of this study state that fatigue correlated positively with general health and sleep disturbance. General health, task-oriented, emotion-oriented and avoidance coping strategies also have positive relationship with sleep disturbance. General health seems to have full mediation effect on the relationship of fatigue and sleep disturbance. Task and emotion-oriented coping strategies appear as a moderator while avoidance coping strategy does not appear as a moderator between the relationship of fatigue and sleep disturbance. This research has future implications for identifying night shift call centers workers having proneness to develop Shift work disorder due to sleep disturbance and provides them with better sleep hygiene guidelines to protect their health.

Self-esteem in sexual minority young adults: a qualitative interview study exploring protective factors and helpful coping responses

Research on mental health inequalities between sexual minority and heterosexual young adults has historically focussed on the additional stress processes that might explain this disparity. However, more recently there has been a shift towards research focussed on resilience factors that might promote mental health in sexual minority young adults. Self-esteem is one such proposed resilience factor. This study aimed to explore the factors that promote or protect self-esteem itself in sexual minority young adults. A semi-structured interview study was conducted with 20 sexual minority young adults (aged 16–24) to explore their perspectives on the factors, responses and strategies that have helped to protect or promote their self-esteem. Six themes were identified from thematic analysis: helpful responses to minority stress; sexuality acceptance; positive LGBTQ + social connections and representations; positive social relationships and evaluation; successes and positive qualities and general coping strategies for low self-esteem. Findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical implications.

Study Protocol: Racial Discrimination, Cultural Processes and Wellbeing Among Asian University Students

Introduction: Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in racial discrimination and xenophobia directed towards Asians has been documented in Western countries. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have also led to increases in mental health problems among people worldwide. Individuals from Asian backgrounds are at high risk for experiencing a dual-threat, due to risk for racial discrimination, in addition to general life and COVID-19-specific stressors. In Canada, the largest population of foreign- and Canadian-born immigrants are from Asian origins, while 74.9% of Canada’s international students in Canadian universities come from Asian countries. Considering the increase in incidents of racism and violence against Asian communities in Canada and the potential impacts of discriminatory events, our goal is to investigate associations between in-person and online racial discrimination and mental health among university students from Asian backgrounds, and the extent to which general coping strategies (e.g., problem-focused, emotion-focused, physical activity) contribute to better mental health outcomes among students. Because individuals from immigrant backgrounds, including Asian, are highly heterogeneous in terms of their immigration characteristics (e.g., immigrant status, length of residence), we will also examine the extent to which cultural processes (i.e., acculturation, cultural identity) affect associations between racial discrimination and mental health.&#x0D; Methods and analyses: University students from Asian backgrounds will be asked to complete an online survey examining mental health, in-person and online racial discrimination, physical activity, coping strategies, and cultural processes (i.e., acculturation, cultural identity). Hierarchical multiple regressions will be conducted to examine associations between racial discrimination and mental health, and the moderating role of coping strategies and cultural processes.&#x0D; Ethics and Dissemination: This project has received ethics approval from the University of Ottawa Research Ethics Board. Results of the study will be published in UOJM and can later be submitted for internal or external conference presentations or other journals, recognizing UOJM as the primary publisher.

Возможности диспозиционной и ситуативной оценки копинг-стратегий (на примере применения общей и специфичной для пандемии версий методики COPE)

The problem of stability / variability of ways of coping with stress and of the need of diagnostic of situational coping is actual for both psychology of stress and self-regulation psychology. The pandemic situation presents a model of the overall stressful situation that allows such a comparison. The aim is to reveal methodological differences in assessing general and specific (for a pandemic situation) coping strategies and their relationship with the reaction to a pandemic and subjective well-being, and their dynamics over 3—4 weeks of the self-isolation regime. 402 adults filled the general and situational (for a pandemic) versions of COPE, Satisfaction With Life Scale, Scale of Positive And Negative Experiences, measures for anxiety and adherence to self-isolation recommendation. After 3—4 weeks, 203 respondents re-completed the well-being and pandemic reaction scales. The results demonstrate that in a pandemic situation, people are more likely to report using behavioral disengagement, restraint and acceptance, and less often to report all other strategies than in general. Situational use of emotional support and emotions venting improve the prediction of anxiety of the negative consequences of a pandemic and anxiety of infection. Denial and non-acceptance of the pandemic predict low adherence with recommendations. An increase in infection anxiety in 3—4 weeks is more pronounced in those using emotional support and substances, while decrease in anxiety of negative consequences — in those with lower use of emotional support and lower behavioral disengagement in pandemic.

Age Differences in the Use/Efficacy of Emotion Coping Strategies among Adults with Chronic Pain: A Scoping Review

Active coping strategies (e.g., exercise and pharmacological treatments) typically do not leave chronic pain patients completely pain-free. Therefore, individuals turn to emotion-focused strategies to cope with associated impairment and psychosocial consequences. General coping strategy use has been shown to differ by age. This scoping review explored age differences in the use and effectiveness of emotion-focused strategies in adults experiencing chronic pain. Studies were located via advanced searches in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, and Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global and referral. Two reviewers independently conducted abstract screenings and full-text extractions. Conflicts were discussed and resolved by the PI. We identified 15 studies that met our inclusion criteria, of which 14 met criteria for high methodologic quality. The majority of studies utilized the Coping Strategies Questionnaire to assess differential use of pain-coping strategies. The remaining studies used one of five other questionnaires. Only one study examined the differential effect of age on the efficacy of emotion-focused strategies. Five of the eight studies that examined hoping/prayer coping reported the strategy’s positive association with age. Age was not associated with ignoring pain or reinterpreting pain sensations in any of the eight studies in which these strategies were measured. We concluded that older age was associated with the use of praying/hoping as a means of coping with pain. No other consistent associations between age and other measured coping strategies were identified. Future research should account for auxiliary stressors and pain characteristics while investigating the differential effect of age on pain coping efficacy.

Intra- and Interorganizational Barriers to Blockchain Adoption: A General Assessment and Coping Strategies in the Agrifood Industry

Background: Companies partaking in modern supply chains face numerous intra- and interorganizational barriers when it comes to the adoption of blockchain technology. Empirical research is missing that explores how exactly these barriers can be overcome. In this paper we first explore barriers that organizations need to overcome to successfully deploy blockchain technology. In a second step, we investigate the agrifood industry and highlight differences in coping strategies between incumbents and start-ups. Methods: We conducted a quantitative survey with 190 supply chain experts to identify barriers and an in-depth qualitative study that included 10 expert interviews to better understand the current situation in agrifood organizations. Results: The findings from the quantitative study show that the most relevant organizational barrier to blockchain adoption is the widespread lack of understanding of the technology and its potential benefits. In the qualitative study we illustrate how various intra- and interorganizational barriers can be overcome and how the resources and capabilities differ between incumbents and start-ups. Conclusions: Our results provide academics with a better understanding of the relevant barriers and bridges of blockchain adoption. Practitioners benefit from learning about the resources and capabilities they need to deploy in order to benefit from blockchain technology.

Coping strategy utilization among posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity and substance use co-occurrence typologies: A latent class analysis.

There is a lack of research on primary prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and substance use among trauma-exposed populations. To guide the development of more effective prevention efforts, the current study sought to identify underlying coping mechanisms that impact PTSD-substance use co-occurrence. A person-centered analytic approach (latent class analysis) examined PTSD-substance use co-occurrence typologies (classes) and identified theoretically adaptive (e.g., active coping) and maladaptive (e.g., denial) coping strategies that differentiated between classes among a sample of 1,270 trauma-exposed participants (Mage = 20.71, 73.5% female, 45.7% White). Latent class analysis identified five distinct typologies, reflective of extant epidemiological and etiological work. Generally, behavioral disengagement and self-blame coping increased the likelihood of being in more severe PTSD-illicit substance use (e.g., cocaine) comorbidity classes. Positive reframing and planning differentiated between low and moderate illicit substance typologies with moderate PTSD severity. Venting, acceptance, and self-distraction differentiated between asymptomatic and moderate PTSD severity typologies with low illicit substance use. Findings identify general coping strategies associated with increased likelihood of being in more severe comorbidity typologies, as well as several unique coping strategies associated with risk of transitioning between low/moderate PTSD and illicit substance use classes. Relevant interventions (e.g., trauma psychoeducation, guilt-reduction therapy, psychological first aid) that may be targets for future prevention-oriented work are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Stress coping strategies and their perceived effectiveness among HIV/AIDS healthcare providers in China: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT Previous studies have suggested that many HIV/AIDS healthcare providers (HCPs), especially those in resource-poor settings, suffer from various work-related stress because of the complexity of HIV/AIDS patients’ medical conditions, occupational exposure, HIV-related stigma, and challenges with patients’ physical, mental, and social conditions. However, data are limited regarding how HIV/AIDS HCPs cope with the stress and their perceived effectiveness of these coping strategies. This qualitative study was designed to explore HCPs’ coping strategies and their perceptions of effectiveness of these strategies. We conducted in-depth face-to-face interviews with 46 HIV/AIDS HCPs in Guangxi, China. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and imported into NVivo V.11. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach. The analysis of the data revealed six general coping strategies: seeking social support, applying problem-solving strategies, adopting healthy lifestyle, developing self-compassion, using mindfulness-based stress reduction methods, and avoidance and escaping. It is imperative to increase institutional support and develop training programs to improve problem-solving skills, healthy lifestyle, and self-compassion among HIV/AIDS HCPs in China.

Experiences and perceptions of perinatal depression among new immigrant Chinese parents: a qualitative study

BackgroundImmigrant status, acculturation level, race and ethnicity have been found to contribute to the utilization of mental health services in the perinatal period. This study explored perinatal experiences and perceptions among Chinese immigrant mothers and their spouses, as well as the possible barriers and facilitators that affect their health care utilization.MethodsWe recruited 13 women ages 18–35 years born in mainland China, living in Rochester, New York, and residing less than 5 years in the United States. Participants primary language was Mandarin Chinese and all had given birth to at least one live infant within the past 7 years. Participants’ age was at least 18 years old at the time of delivery. Five spouses also participated. We divided women in two focus groups and held one focus group for men, with data collection including demographic questionnaires and semi-structured focus group questions conducted in December 2014. Data were analyzed following thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes emerged: experiences of perinatal depression; perceptions of perinatal depression; general preventive and coping strategies; and attitudes toward the supportive use social media applications (apps) and text messaging during the perinatal period. Participants had limited knowledge of perinatal depression and had difficulty distinguishing between normal perinatal mood fluctuations and more severe symptoms of depression. They discussed immigrant-related stress, conflicts with parents/in-laws while “doing the month”, the perceived gap between the ideal of “perfect moms” and reality, and challenges with parenting as the causes of perinatal depression. Women approved of screening for the condition but were conservative about follow-up interventions. As for the management of perinatal depression, participants preferred to deal with the problem within the family before seeking external help, due to potential stigma as well as Chinese traditional culture. They were receptive to obtaining pertinent health information from anonymous social media apps, preferring these to personal text messages.ConclusionThe recent immigrant Chinese parents to the United States in the study had limited knowledge of perinatal depression and did not make full use of mental health services for support due to language and cultural barriers. Screening for perinatal depression is only the first step. Future research should explore what interventions may serve as an acceptable approach to overcoming these gaps.