Ineffective Coping Strategies Research Articles

“You can only take so much, and it took everything out of me”: Coping strategies used by parents of children with cancer

This study qualitatively assesses the coping strategies of parents who care for a child with cancer. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 French and English families who had had a child diagnosed with cancer in the last ten years in two Eastern Canadian provinces. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded with a focus on parental coping strategies. Using coping behaviors as described and categorized in the Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response (FAAR) model as a foundation, we found that families used a variety of appraisal-, emotion-, and problem-focused coping. Appraisal-focused coping strategies involved trying to stay "positive" and "making positive comparisons." Problem-focused coping involved behaviors such as being an advocate for the child and seeking information. The majority of parents, however, described using emotion-focused coping behaviors such as trying to avoid "feeling too much" by hiding difficult emotions and "escaping" from problems. Others used more positive emotion-focused coping behaviors such as humor, seeking support (informal or formal), or writing diaries. A small group of parents used ineffective coping strategies (alcohol abuse, misdirected anger) that added to family stress. These ineffective strategies have led to a modification of the FAAR model indicating that not all coping behaviors are beneficial to family adjustment in crisis. Overall, many parents felt that their coping strategies were effective; however, a few described having a complete "coping breakdown". Parents used a range of coping strategies of which emotion-focused coping was the most prominent. We have enhanced the FAAR model by including additional coping behaviors as well as a description of how some coping behaviors add to the daily stressors for parents dealing with a child's illness. Professional health care providers need to understand the variability of the coping behaviors in order to appropriately assist parents to avoid coping breakdowns.

Success and Failure, Fear of Failure, and Coping Responses of Adolescent Academy Football Players

The study examined fear of failure among 81 male adolescent football players (age 16–18 years) in English football academies. Four players who reported high fear of failure were interviewed. They perceived the consequences of failure to be both interpersonal and intrapersonal. Fear of failure affected their sporting performance and interpersonal behavior. They employed predominantly ineffective coping strategies to deal with fear of failure, and both effective and ineffective strategies to deal with failure experiences. The findings of this study enhance understanding of the fear of failure construct in sport, contributing both to research and practice.

Failure to treat tobacco use in mental health and addiction treatment settings: A form of harm reduction?

In mental health and addiction treatment settings, failure to treat tobacco dependence has been rationalized by some as a clinical approach to harm reduction. That is, tobacco use is viewed as a less harmful alternative to alcohol or illicit drug use and/or other self-harm behaviors. This paper examines the impact of providers’ failure to treat tobacco use on patients’ alcohol and illicit drug use and associated high-risk behaviors. The weight of the evidence in the literature indicates: (1) tobacco use is a leading cause of death in patients with psychiatric illness or addictive disorders; (2) tobacco use is associated with worsened substance abuse treatment outcomes, whereas treatment of tobacco dependence supports long-term sobriety; (3) tobacco use is associated with increased (not decreased) depressive symptoms and suicidal risk behavior; (4) tobacco use adversely impacts psychiatric treatment; (5) tobacco use is a lethal and ineffective long-term coping strategy for managing stress, and (6) treatment of tobacco use does not harm mental health recovery. Failure to treat tobacco dependence in mental health and addiction treatment settings is not consistent with a harm reduction model. In contrast, emerging evidence indicates treatment of tobacco dependence may even improve addiction treatment and mental health outcomes. Providers in mental health and addiction treatment settings have an ethical duty to intervene on patients’ tobacco use and provide available evidence-based treatments.

Experiences of Burnout Among Adolescent Female Gymnasts: Three Case Studies

Within the current study, the process of adolescent burnout is considered in relation to perceived contributors, symptoms, consequences, and subsequently, effective and ineffective coping strategies. Through case studies, the researchers sought the burnout experiences of three competitive female gymnasts. Participants were selected based on scores obtained from Raedeke and Smith’s (2001) Athlete Burnout Questionnaire. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the process, athlete data were considered in tandem with interviews from at least one parent and one coach. Transcribed data were segmented into meaning units, coded into a hierarchy of themes and verified by each respondent. Despite common trends among the participants, differences were also found in relation to symptoms, contributors, and the progression of the condition. Implications are provided for the athlete/parent/coach triad and also for sport psychologists.

The association of type D personality with quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease

Objectives: Personality traits appear as determinants of quality of life (QoL) in most chronic diseases. Type D personality is characterized by ineffective coping strategies that reduce QoL in patients with coronary heart disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Type D personality also predicts QoL in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, gender differences in Type D personalities are explored. Methods: The sample consisted of 153 PD patients (51.4% males; mean age 67.9 ± 9.3 years). DS-14 was used to measure Type D personality, negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI). The Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQ-39) was used to assess QoL, and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) was used to assess functional status. The regression model consisted of disease severity, disease duration, age and DS-14 and its two scales (NA and SI). Results: Type D is negatively associated with overall QoL in PD patients and most subscales of the PDQ-39. Type D explained emotional well-being in both genders but was significant in the models for stigma, cognition, and communication only in men. NA and SI played a less important role in women in comparison with men. Conclusion: Type D personality is an important part of the QoL model in PD patients of both genders, especially in the NA scale. The gender differences suggest that male and female PD patients require different coping strategies.

Sport injury rehabilitation adherence: Perspectives of recreational athletes

The purpose of this study was to investigate recreational participants’ experiences of adhering to a sport injury rehabilitation program. Six participants undertaking a rehabilitation program for a tendonitis‐related injury as a result of sport involvement took part in this study. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews and were thematically analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (Smith & Osborn, 2003). Five themes emerging from the data set were motivation, confidence, coping, social support, and pain. Specifically, a lack of motivation and confidence were perceived to have a negative effect upon home‐based rehabilitation adherence while ineffective coping strategies, over support and pain, appeared to have an adverse influence on rehabilitation adherence in a clinic setting. The use of effective coping strategies and varied types of social support aided rehabilitation adherence. Applied implications and future research directions are discussed

P03-77 Comparison of coping strategies and emotional intelligence in Borderline Personality Disorder and normal subjects

Aim:The goal of the study was to compare coping strategies and emotional intelligence of patients suffering from borderline personality disorder (B.P.D.) and those of normal subjects in Arak city (2007 - 2008).Method:40 patients (20 male and 20 female) with B.P.D. and 40 normal subjects (20 male and 20 female) participated in the study. All 80 subjects were assessed using the Millon clinical multiaxial - III, coping strategies questionnaire, and emotional quotient. the method of the research was case-control; data were analyzed by t-student test and regression.Results and conclusion:The results showed that patients with B.P.D. mainly used ineffective coping strategies such as escape-avoidance strategy in comparison with the normal subjects. Additionally the patients with B.P.D. used positive reappraisal, planful problem solving, and seeking social support less than the normal subjects, and their emotional intelligence was low. There were no significant differences between the emotional intelligence and applying coping strategies of male and female patients. Furthermore the study showed that there is a positive correlation between the applying effective coping strategies and emotional intelligence.

Coping strategies of schizophrenic patients referring to psychiatry clinics at hospitals affiliated to universities of medical sciences in Tehran

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is the most disabling mental disorder and patients with it experience much stress. Coping strategies, therefore, play a significant period in this regard and these patients may have difficulty in applying them. They usually use ineffective coping strategies. Purpose This descriptive study was conducted to determine coping strategies in schizophrenic patients referring to psychiatry clinics at hospitals affiliated to universities of medical sciences in Tehran in 2006. Methods 90 schizophrenic patients were selected at two stages by quota and convenience sampling methods. The Ways of Coping Questionnaire was used0. for data collection after identifying its content and face validities and its reliability by internal consistency. Data were collected by self-report method and review of medical records. Results Findings showed that “resignation” (50.11%) and “self - soothing” (47.06%) were the first and second common strategies respectively. “Considering (41.38%),” “Positive reappraisal (40.86%),” “Ignoring (40.67%)” and “Acting (37.03)” were the third common strategies. Most subjects also used “Avoidance” and the minority of them applied “Problem-oriented” strategies. Conclusion Most subjects used “Avoidance” coping strategy. Keywords : Schizophrenic patients, Coping strategy, Psychiatry clinic.

The Role of Stressors and Coping Strategies in the Burnout Experienced by Hospice Workers

The helping professions have always been associated with high levels of stress and burnout because of the emotional intensity of the relationships with patients. The nature of hospice work can be both rewarding and challenging. Hospice workers encounter a variety of work- and client-related stressors. The work-related stressors they face include organizational stressors and role ambiguity they experience in their work environment. Social factors make up a third set of work-related stressors. Chronic exposure to these stressors may result in burnout if they are not adequately dealt with. Coping strategies can be divided into 3 categories, namely, problem-focused coping strategies, emotionally focused coping strategies, and ineffective coping strategies. The focus of this research is to determine how the stressors experienced by hospice workers in and outside the working environment as well as the coping strategies adopted by them can be used to predict the extent to which they experience burnout. The findings of this study suggest that hospice workers do experience a great deal of burnout, which affects their work performance and general functioning. The burnout is mainly the result of work-related stressors. Recommendations to alleviate this problematic situation are made.

A longitudinal phenomenological analysis of coping effectiveness among Scottish international adolescent golfers

The aim of this study was to explore coping effectiveness among international golfers. Five Scottish international adolescent golfers (mean age 16.6 years, s = 0.6) maintained daily coping effectiveness diaries over a 28-day period during their competitive season. Data were thematically analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (Smith & Osborn, 2003). The participants reported 56 effective coping strategies and 23 ineffective coping strategies. The unique finding from this study is that the same coping strategies were often rated as being both effective and ineffective, even when they were employed to manage the same stressor. This suggests that the goodness-of-fit approach and the choice of coping strategy theories may not be adequate explanations of coping effectiveness. Applied practitioners working with golfers are encouraged to teach their clients a variety of coping strategies, which should be deployed in combination.

Role of thought-related beliefs and coping strategies in the escalation of intrusive thoughts: An analog to obsessive–compulsive disorder

Cognitive–behavioral models of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) assume that obsessions have their origin in normal intrusive thoughts. These models propose that certain beliefs, such as thought–action fusion (TAF) beliefs, combined with the use of ineffective coping strategies, such as thought suppression, lead to the development of OCD. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between these variables in a non-clinical sample in addition to exploring the effects of an alternative, acceptance-based coping strategy. This study explored the relationship between TAF beliefs, thought suppression, and OC-consistent symptoms via mediational analyses. Results showed that thought suppression mediated the relationship between TAF beliefs and OC-consistent symptoms. This study also experimentally examined the effects of various coping strategies (suppression, acceptance, or monitor-only) on the frequency of a distressing intrusion and appraisal ratings (e.g., anxiety, guilt, responsibility) after a TAF induction. Spontaneous suppression in the monitor-only group made comparisons of the experimental data difficult. However, analyses provided preliminary evidence suggesting that thought suppression is related to more intrusions, higher levels of anxiety, and negative appraisals, whereas an acceptance-based approach may be a useful alternative. Additional findings, limitations of the current study, and directions for future research are discussed.

Can an Athlete Be Taught to Cope More Effectively? The Experiences of an International-Level Adolescent Golfer during a Training Program for Coping

The purpose of this descriptive paper was to examine the experiences of an internationally ranked golfer during a training program for coping. A 16-yr.-old male English golfer maintained an audio diary for seven competitive rounds over 21 days. He answered the same five questions after each competitive round concerning his experiences of stress and coping. The training program for coping was based upon the previous research of Nicholls and colleagues with adolescent golfers at the international level. The training program reduced the number of ineffective coping strategies that the participant used.

The Central Role of Interpersonal Conflict in Low Frequency Noise Annoyance

This paper considers the relationship between the Environmental Health Officer and the Low Frequency Noise complainant (sufferer). It is suggested that the characteristic psychoacoustic properties of Low Frequency Noise may interact with inappropriate assessment protocols to produce a series of interpersonal pressures that play an active part in shaping the overall noise problem. This interaction may be considered as a legitimate and common impact factor within Low Frequency Noise complaints. The confounding role of misperception and miscommunication, between the parties, is explored and models of conflict resolution are considered as a means for providing counter measures to the behavioural consequences of failed assessment procedures and ineffective personal coping strategies.

Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome

Functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS) differs from the other functional bowel disorders; it is less common, symptoms largely are unrelated to food intake and defecation, and it has higher comorbidity with psychiatric disorders. The etiology and pathophysiology are incompletely understood. Because FAPS likely represents a heterogeneous group of disorders, peripheral neuropathic pain mechanisms, alterations in endogenous pain modulation systems, or both may be involved in any one patient. The diagnosis of FAPS is made on the basis of positive symptom criteria and a longstanding history of symptoms; in the absence of alarm symptoms, an extensive diagnostic evaluation is not required. Management is based on a therapeutic physician-patient relationship and empirical treatment algorithms using various classes of centrally acting drugs, including antidepressants and anticonvulsants. The choice, dose, and combination of drugs are influenced by psychiatric comorbidities. Psychological treatment options include psychotherapy, relaxation techniques, and hypnosis. Refractory FAPS patients may benefit from a multidisciplinary pain clinic approach.

Psychological outcome of patients following treatment of oral cancer and its relation with functional status and coping mechanisms

Traditionally health-care providers have measured outcome of treatment of disease by focusing on tumour response and disease-free survival. However, it has become increasingly apparent that the behavioural and functional impact of treatment on the patient is important. This study investigates the psychological outcome and its relationship with functional status and coping mechanisms following treatment of oral cancer patients. Sixty-eight patients were evaluated 6 months to 6 years after treatment (from October 1992 to October 1997) for oral cancer. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used for psychological evaluation, the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QOL) and The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) for evaluating the head and neck specific and general functional status, respectively. Finally, the "Mental Adjustment to Cancer Questionnaire" (MAC-Q) was used for evaluation of coping mechanisms. The incidence of anxiety and/or depression was 25% and the socio-demographic and medical characteristics showed poor correlation with the psychological outcome in this study. The results indicated that there was a strong association between psychological outcome and head and neck specific and general quality-of-life (QOL) domains, and style of coping. The p-value was less than 0.01 for most of the domains and items of functional status and the effective coping style. Deteriorated functional status and ineffective coping strategies are strongly associated with poor psychological outcome in patients with oral cancer.

The adolescent outcome of hyperactive girls

The aim of the study was to clarify the developmental risk for interpersonal relationship problems and ineffective coping strategies associated with hyperactive behaviour in girls in a longitudinal epidemiological design. This was investigated in a follow-up study of girls who were identified by parent and teacher ratings in a large community survey of 6- and 7-year-olds as showing pervasive hyperactivity or conduct problems or the comorbid mixture of both problems or neither problem. They were later investigated, at the age of 14-16 years, in a detailed interview. Childhood hyperactivity was a risk for disrupted relationships in adolescence with peers and the opposite sex, but not parents. Findings were independent of the existence of conduct problems. Hyperactivity was a risk for the use of a wide variety of ineffective coping strategies. On the other hand, conduct problem girls reported applying specific coping strategies, but rated these to be ineffective. It is concluded that early therapeutic interventions targeting the development of social skills and problem-solving skills are required in order to help overcome these problems in later life.

Profiles of non‐victims, escaped victims, continuing victims and new victims of school bullying

Victims of school bullying are known to be at risk in peer relationships and to sometimes use ineffective coping strategies, but little previous research has examined differences among escaped victims, continuing victims and new victims. A follow-up design compared friendships, behavioural characteristics, victimization experiences and coping strategies of pupils who had 2 years previously answered a questionnaire identifying themselves as victims (V) or non-victims (NV) of school bullying and whose current victim status could be identified. 406 pupils aged 13-16 years (190 boys, 216 girls): 175 non-victims (NV-NV), 146 escaped victims (V-NV), 27 new victims (NV-V) and 58 continuing victims (V-V). Structured interviews were given to pupils, together with the SDQ. Teachers also filled in the SDQ. School records of attendance were obtained. Escaped victims did not differ greatly from non-victims, but had some self-perception of continuing peer relationship difficulties. Continuing victims, irrespective of gender, liked other pupils and breaktime less (but did not dislike other aspects of school), had fewer friends in school (but not outside school), more often missed school (sometimes because of bullying), scored high on problem scales of the SDQ, and were more likely to be involved in bullying others as well as being bullied. New victims tended to resemble continuing victims. Continuing victims did not differ from escaped victims on type of bullying, but new and continuing victims less often reported talking to someone about a specific incident of bullying. Most victims gave mainly victim-related reasons for the bullying having taken place. The results are discussed in relation to why some pupils become or continue to be victims in secondary school, and recommendations for anti-bullying procedures in schools designed to help such victims.

Law enforcement organizational behavior and the occurrence of post-traumatic stress symptomology in law enforcement personnel follwoing a critical incident

Research by Evans and Coman (1993), Sewell (1984), and Gudjonsson and Adlam (1983) suggests that being shot in the line of duty or the shooting of a partner are often ranked by officers, despite their infrequent occurrence, as the most stressful field events. This study was designed to elucidate factors within the organizational structure of law enforcement, other than the incident itself, which promote ineffective coping and increases in PTSD-like symptomology in police officers. This study found that both police officers, and the organization in which they work, practice predominately ineffective emotion-focused coping strategies following an officer-involved shooting. Possible links between organizational behavior and long-term post-traumatic symptomology were discovered; it appears that officers have readily available models of poor coping responses merely by imitating the behavior of their organization.

The Concept Analysis of Crisis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the concept of crisis and to provide basic data to develop a valid instrument to measure crisis, and to enhance clear communications between health profession. Methods: This study used the process of Walker & Avanfs concept analysis, Results: Crisis was defined as imbalance and unstability which was caused by ineffective usual coping strategy, expressed by emotional, cognitive, behavioral change different from usual life, precipitated by some events, and persisted during the limited time. Critical attributes were imbalance, unstability, ineffective coping strategy, time^limited, precipitating event, opportunity, danger, and consciousness of crisis. Antecedents include precipitating event, stress, ineffective usual coping strategy, social support, and personal vulnerability. Consequences of crisis were adaptation, growth, development, maladaptation and mental health problem. Conclusion: It is hoped that this study will stimulate further exploration of this concept and development of measuring instrument of crisis state.

Chronic Neuropathic Pain in Spinal Cord Injury: The Patient′s Perspective

Chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) in spinal cord injury (SCI) is recognized as severely compromising, in both adjustment after injury and quality of life. Studies indicate that chronic pain in SCI is associated with great emotional distress over and above that of the injury itself. Currently, little is known about the SCI patient's perception of the impact of living with chronic neuropathic pain. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of CNP in SCI patients in relation with physical, emotional, psychosocial, environmental, informational, practical and spiritual domains, and to identify effective and ineffective pain coping strategies. Three focus groups were conducted that included 24 SCI individuals living in the community. Participants were selected to maximize variation in terms of type of SCI, Frankel classification, years since onset of SCI, age and sex. The sessions were audiotaped and tapes were transcribed. A qualitative analysis of data involved a constant comparison approach, in which categories and themes were identified. Many complex themes emerged including: nature of pain; coping as process and product; medication failure; and the impact of CNP on physical, cognitive, emotional, interpersonal, social and life activities. Medication failure was identified as a common outcome, while strategies including use of warm water, swimming, increased activity and distraction provided temporary pain relief. Learning to live with the pain appeared to be related to acceptance of pain, which in turn seemed to facilitate adjustment. Further research is warranted to determine the process by which SCI patients learn to live with CNP and coping strategies that facilitate adjustment to CNP in SCI patients.