Influence Coping Strategies Research Articles

Subjective Appraisal and Orientations in Difficult Life Situations as Predictors of Coping Strategies.

Many studies have shown that problem-focused coping and a positive reappraisal of one's situation are the most conducive to achieving life goals and psychological well-being, whereas avoidance coping and self-blame have a negative impact on well-being. But there is not enough data on what the predictors of these coping strategies are in the situational context. To assess the combined influence of subjective appraisal (uncontrollability, unclearness, negative emotions) and orientations in difficult situations (by drive and rejection) on planful problem solving, positive reappraisal, wishful thinking (fantasizing), and self-blame. The research has a survey design. The sample consisted of 637 adult participants who analyzed difficult situations in their lives associated with achieving significant life goals of various types (N = 637; 60% female; Mage = 24.2; SD = 6.25). Two alternative structural models were assessed, which include subjective appraisals of the situation (uncontrollability, unclearness, intensity of negative emotions), orientations in difficult situations (drive and rejection), and ways of coping (planful problem-solving, positive reappraisal, wishful thinking, and self-blame). The first model, in which all cognitive appraisals and orientations in difficult situations directly influence coping strategies, has relatively low fit indices. The second model, in which the influence of cognitive appraisal was partially mediated by orientations in difficult situations, has better fit indices. In life situations involving solution of a difficult task, the strongest predictor of problem-focused coping and positive reappraisal is the "drive" orientation of being attracted to difficulties, which mediates the influence of subjective control and emotions on these ways of coping. An orientation away from difficulties, "rejection," mediates the influence of unclearness and negative emotions on fantasizing and self-blame. A low level of subjective control directly affects self-blame and the avoidance of problem-solving. Negative emotions are a weak predictor of self-blame. Interaction between the subject and the situation involves appraisal of difficulty, which influences orientation in difficult situations. In turn, orientations are predictors of coping strategies. The characteristics of the psychological situation determine coping, which may be oriented toward approach to or avoidance of the goal.

The Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Suicidal Behavior and Early Traumatic Experiences in Depressed Subjects.

Background: Depressed patients with early traumatic experiences may represent a clinically and biologically distinct subtype, with worse clinical outcomes and greater risk of suicide. Since early traumatic experiences alter development of systems that regulate the stress response, increasing sensitivity to stress and mood disorders later in life, certain personality features may influence coping strategies, putting individuals with depression and a history of early traumatic experiences at greater risk of suicidal behavior.Objective: To determine whether impulsivity mediates the relationship between early traumatic experiences and suicidal behavior in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).Methods: The total sample consists of 190 patients [mean age (SD) = 53.71 (10.37); females: 66.3%], with current MDD (DSM-5 criteria). The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), the List of Threatening Experiences (LTE), and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) were used to assess childhood and adulthood adverse life events and impulsivity, respectively. We developed mediation models by bootstrap sampling methods.Results: Eighty-one (42.6%) patients had a history of previous suicide attempts (SA). CTQ-SF-Total and BIS-11-Total scores were significantly higher in MDD patients with previous SA. Correlation analyses revealed significant correlations between the CTQ-SF-Total and BIS-11-Total, CTQ-SF-Total and HDRS-Total, and BIS-11-Total and HDRS-Total scores. Regression models found that CTQ-SF-Total, BIS-11-Total, and HDRS-Total scores were associated with SA. Mediation analyses further revealed the association between CTQ-SF-Total and SA was mediated by the indirect effect of the BIS-11-Total score (b = 0.007, 95% CI = 0.001, 0.015), after statistically controlling for sex, the HDRS-Total, and the LTE-Total.Discussion: Data suggest that impulsivity could mediate the influence of childhood trauma on suicidal behavior. This will help understand the role of risk factors in suicidal behavior and aid in the development of prevention interventions focused on modifiable mediators when risk factors are non-modifiable.

How people of African Caribbean or Irish ethnicity cope with long-term health conditions in UK community settings: A systematic review of qualitative, quantitative and mixed method studies.

Living with a chronic or mental health condition can be challenging and requires considerable adjustment. As ways of coping are culturally influenced, it is important to understand how minority ethnic populations cope, to inform appropriate services. This review aimed to explore the coping strategies used by UK residents from an African Caribbean or Irish background between 1960 and 2020. A systematic literature search on strategies used to cope with chronic health conditions in both populations living in the United Kingdom identified 26 relevant studies. Data were extracted, quality of papers was appraised and critical interpretive synthesis was applied. Two major foci of the studies were coping strategies and barriers to coping. The main coping strategies were denial/scepticism, self-management, spirituality and religion. Within each population, there was variation in ways of coping. The review highlights the complex role of religion in influencing coping strategies. It demonstrates how personal and minority ethnic populations' experiences of service use are connected with stigma, fear and mistrust, which also act as barriers to seeking help and to coping. Coping with a chronic or mental health condition in the Irish and African Caribbean populations is under-researched. Stigma, fear and mistrust in services act as key barriers to help-seeking and religion is a prominent coping strategy. However, few detailed examples were given on how it was used to assist individuals when managing a chronic or mental health condition. Also due to a lack of research, firm conclusions cannot be drawn for the Irish population.

Factors Influencing Coping Strategies for Drought-Affected Households in Northern Cameroon

Factors Influencing Coping Strategies for Drought-Affected Households in Northern Cameroon

Coping Strategies for Oral Health Problems by People with Schizophrenia.

BackgroundPersons with schizophrenia are particularity susceptible to poor oral health. Symptoms of schizophrenia often affect oral health behaviors and lifestyle. The aim was to explore coping strategies used by people with schizophrenia in oral health in order to understand and to best involve them in the management of their own oral health in daily life.Materials and methodsThis is systematic review reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements. We included cross-sectional and longitudinal quantitative and qualitative studies that 1) examined coping strategies regarding oral health in persons with schizophrenia or 2) examined coping strategies were used in dental care. We included studies conducted with at least one PWS aged 18 years old more and without restriction on sex, socioeconomic status, or language.ResultsThe 8 studies included suggest that coping strategies depends on complex translation processes that can be either personal (e.g., psychological symptomatology, neuropsychological functioning to adversely affect hope, self-esteem, self-stigma, self-determination, sense of coherence, and resilience) and/or environmental factors (e.g., peer support and efficacy of rehabilitations programs). We further identified that the main factor influencing coping strategies was dental stress situation. ConclusionsThis review suggests that coping strategies play a crucial role in the recovery process for oral health of PWS. Translation processes in oral health should be more explored in the future to clarify the capacity of PWS to cope with essential self-care in oral health on daily life.

Bladder-Bowel Dysfunction in Children: Consequences, Risk Factors and Recommendations for Primary Care Interventions

The goals of this paper are to review potential risk factors and emerging insights into nature of bladder-bowel dysfunction (BBD) and highlight a patient-centered approach to management, which can begin in the primary care setting. (1) BBD is documented in about half of patients with vesicoureteral reflux and increases potential for renal scarring. (2) Neurodevelopmental and environmental factors are associated with BBD and greater understanding of a neurocentric basis for BBD is emerging. (3) A patient-centered approach to care is required. The way in which children and adolescents understand their bladder, bowel, or continence problem can influence coping strategies and adherence to treatment. Early identification and treatment of BBD is important to prevent significant medical and social burden. The primary care provider with foundational knowledge of the causes and risk factors for BBD and an established relationship with a patient and family is well suited to identify BBD and begin management.

Previous Early-life Stress Modifies Acute Corticosterone-induced Synaptic Plasticity in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex of Adolescent Rats

Stress can either strengthen coping strategies or enhance the risk of depression and anxiety. Synaptic plasticity is one of the key brain functions that can be affected by stress. We have previously shown that early-life stress in the form of maternal separation (MS) impairs functional synaptic plasticity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), i.e., long-term potentiation (LTP), in adolescent rats. It has been postulated that a previous experience of prolonged stress can modify the response to a subsequent acute stress challenge and influence coping strategies. Therefore, in the present study, we examined how previous MS experience influenced acute stress-induced changes in the LTP and expression of genes and proteins engaged in synaptic plasticity in the mPFC of adolescent rats. To mimic acute stress, we applied acute injections of corticosterone (CORT) and its vehicle (VEH). In control rats, acute CORT injection enhanced LTP in the mPFC. In contrast, MS rats generally exhibited an impairment of LTP that was not further affected by CORT. Moreover, for many studied parameters, such as induction of cFos and Arc mRNA and protein and activation of BDNF, GDNF and NCAM mRNA, MS rats showed diminished, vague or absent responses to acute VEH/CORT compared with those of control rats. These results suggest that previous early-life stress experiences may induce adaptive plasticity within the mPFC, which influences the response to acute stress challenge and coping strategies in adolescents. Depending on the specific environmental context, this phenomenon may lead to either future vulnerability or future resilience to stress-related psychopathologies.

Coping strategies of Taiwanese children with autism spectrum disorders.

To explore and describe the coping experiences of children with autism spectrum disorders in Taiwan. Children with autism spectrum disorders are faced with daily social and living challenges, which can cause stress. Chinese culture emphasises discipline and obedience, which may influence coping strategies of children with autism spectrum disorders in Taiwan. This qualitative study employed an exploratory descriptive design. Data were collected from in-depth, face-to-face structured interviews. Interviews explored coping strategies of Taiwanese school-aged children (aged 6-19) with autism spectrum disorders. Children (N=17) and their caregivers were recruited by purposive sampling. Transcribed interview data were thematically analysed using the procedure of Miles and Huberman. Five themes emerged from the analysis of the data, which described the coping strategies of the children: (1) problem-solving, (2) acting-out, (3) avoidance, (4) seeking help and (5) self-regulation. These themes included multiple coping strategies, which employed the concepts of engagement and disengagement. The children with autism spectrum disorder used many strategies to cope with the stresses resulting from behaviours and symptoms associated with the disorder. Most of the Taiwanese children use both problem-solving and emotional-focused coping strategies. Understanding coping strategies of children with autism spectrum disorder could help caregivers (parents, teachers) and medical professionals develop interventions to reduce these challenges, which could alleviate stress and improve social functioning for these children.

Effect of Climate Change on Cocoa Production in Ondo State, Nigeria.

carried out on effect of climate change on cocoa production in Ondo State, Nigeria. It specifically identified the socio-economic characteristics, examined the coping strategies adopted by the farmers in adjusting to these problems, determined the factors affecting the coping strategies adopted by the farmers in adapting to climate change, examined the rainfall and temperature patterns of the study area within the period of 1992 – 2012 and analyzed the effects of some climatic variables on cocoa production within the period of 1992-2012. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to obtain data from 180 cocoa farmers that were purposively selected from 3 Local Government Areas in Ondo State being the highest producers it the State, these are; Ondo East, Akure South and Idanre LGA. Descriptive Statistical Analysis, Trend Analysis, Multiple Regression Model and Tobit Regression Modelwere used to analyze the data. About 62% of the cocoa farmers interviewed observed noticeable changes in temperature while 70% and 51% of the farmers reported increased changes in rainfall and sunlight respectively. Among the most prevalent climate change problems reported among cocoa farmers in the study area were; high incidence of black pod disease (80%), death of cocoa trees (75%), increase malaria incidence (65%),reduction in cocoa yield (63%) and inability to dry cocoa pods (61%). The trend analysis of cocoa production in the study area revealed that there was a sharp decrease in the volume of cocoa produced from 1992-2000while fluctuatingoccurrenceswere witnessed in the volume of cocoa produced till 2012. Also, there was variability in the rainfall, relative humidity and temperature patterns examined within the period under the study. The major coping strategies employed by the cocoa farmers in the study area were; use of chemicals (75%), mulching and planting trees (69%) different planting date (63%), monitoring weather (61%) and crop diversification (58%)while factors influencing coping strategies adoption by the cocoa farmers in the study were; level of education, farm size, access to extension service and farming experience. Keywords:Cocoa Production,

Coping strategies among conflict-affected adults in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic literature review

ABSTRACTMental health is recognised as a key issue for populations affected by conflict. The aim of this systematic literature review is to examine coping strategies among conflict-affected civilians in low- and middle-income countries. The objectives were to examine (1) the types of coping strategies used by conflict-affected civilians; (2) factors influencing coping strategies; (3) relationships between coping strategies and mental health outcomes. A database search was conducted on May 13, 2014. Qualitative and quantitative studies that report on coping strategies used by adult conflict-affected civilians in LMICs were included, yielding 50 articles. Coping strategies were organised into a typology of problem-solving, support seeking, escape-avoidance, distraction, and positive cognitive restructuring domains. Support-seeking, positive cognitive restructuring, and problem-solving domains were the most frequently reported coping domains across the articles. Significant factors influencing coping included gender and exposure to trauma. The relationship between coping and mental health outcomes was nuanced. The diverse findings reported across the studies reflect the variety of contexts from which the samples are drawn, the range of coping typologies, and differing methodological approaches to exploring coping and mental health. Context-specific studies are needed in order to capture the social and cultural influences on coping and mental health.

Effects of Nurses’ Job Stress and Work-Family Conflict on Turnover Intention

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among nurses’ job stress, work-family conflict, coping methods, job burnout, and turnover intention. A survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted with 423 clinical in South Korea. It was revealed that job stress was positively related to work-family conflict and had a negative influence on active coping but no influence on passive coping. Job stress had a positive influence on job burnout but no influence on turnover intention. Work-family conflict didn’t influence coping strategies and turnover intention but had a positive influence on job burnout. Active coping strategies had a negative influence on the job burnout but no influence on turnover intention. Job burnout had a positive influence on turnover intention. It was found that active coping strategies which influence a nurses turnover intention can be an intervention measure as a mediator effect. Further, the variables that were confirmed to be influencing factors in this study can be changed through nursing interventions. Thus, these variables can be used to develop a program for decreasing nurses’ turnover intention.

Religion, Spirituality, and the Hidden Curriculum: Medical Student and Faculty Reflections

ContextReligion and spirituality play an important role in physicians’ medical practice, but little research has examined their influence within the socialization of medical trainees and the hidden curriculum. ObjectivesThe objective is to explore the role of religion and spirituality as they intersect with aspects of medicine's hidden curriculum. MethodsSemiscripted, one-on-one interviews and focus groups (n = 33 respondents) were conducted to assess Harvard Medical School student and faculty experiences of religion/spirituality and the professionalization process during medical training. Using grounded theory, theme extraction was performed with interdisciplinary input (medicine, sociology, and theology), yielding a high inter-rater reliability score (kappa = 0.75). ResultsThree domains emerged where religion and spirituality appear as a factor in medical training. First, religion/spirituality may present unique challenges and benefits in relation to the hidden curriculum. Religious/spiritual respondents more often reported to struggle with issues of personal identity, increased self-doubt, and perceived medical knowledge inadequacy. However, religious/spiritual participants less often described relationship conflicts within the medical team, work-life imbalance, and emotional stress arising from patient suffering. Second, religion/spirituality may influence coping strategies during encounters with patient suffering. Religious/spiritual trainees described using prayer, faith, and compassion as means for coping whereas nonreligious/nonspiritual trainees discussed compartmentalization and emotional repression. Third, levels of religion/spirituality appear to fluctuate in relation to medical training, with many trainees experiencing an increase in religiousness/spirituality during training. ConclusionReligion/spirituality has a largely unstudied but possibly influential role in medical student socialization. Future study is needed to characterize its function within the hidden curriculum.

Impact du niveau d’activité physique sur l’alexithymie et le coping dans une population de plus de 40 ans atteinte de sclérose en plaques : une étude pilote

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of physical activity on alexithymia and coping strategies among people with multiple sclerosis aged over 40. The hypotheses were that physical activity should have a protective effect on alexithymia, and more particularly, on “emotional identification” and could influence coping strategies because it can be considered as a distractive coping strategy. MethodsThirty-seven patients aged 40 years or older were asked to complete a form including an identification sheet and standardized questionnaires: the Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire (version B), the Coping with Health Injuries and Problem Questionnaire, the Fatigue Impact Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. ResultsThe participants with a high or moderate level of physical activity used “information research” as a coping strategy better than those who had a lower level of physical activity. They also analyzed their emotions better. The results revealed an association between these variables and anxiety, depression and fatigue. DiscussionThis study provides insight for future research about the impact of physical activity on multiple sclerosis.

Navigating Hazardous Conditions

Depression is highly prevalent among HIV-positive individuals and has been identified as an important predictor of suboptimal adherence to highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). To date, however, researchers have not adequately examined how depression influences adherence among depressed HIV-positive patients. The aim of our study was to explore the process by which depression interacts with other factors relevant to medication adherence decision making to influence adherence to HAART. We used principles of grounded theory to guide our methods. We conducted interviews with 21 HIV-positive individuals diagnosed with comorbid depressive disorders. Results indicated that depression, HIV-related cues, and health and self-care beliefs combined to influence coping strategies. Coping strategies, in turn, predicted whether participants were able to adhere to HAART. These findings can be used by practitioners to broaden the scope of factors they consider when treating depressed patients who might be at risk for nonadherence.

How do psychological variables influence coping strategies in inflammatory bowel disease?

BackgroundAdjusting to chronic disease is a complex process and one that, in the case of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), has received very little attention. The objectives of this study were to identify coping strategies used by patients with IBD and to explore how these strategies are related to psychological characteristics. MethodsA transversal study was designed in which 875 patients with IBD were prospectively enrolled. Independent variables were evaluated using a sociodemographic questionnaire and a clinical questionnaire—the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); dependent variables were evaluated using the COPE Inventory (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced), a multidimensional scale for evaluating general coping styles. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the variables associated with the type of coping used. ResultsThe participation rate was 91.3%. The most common coping strategy was emotion-focused coping (X¯=2.64; 95% CI=2.61–2.69), with no differences in relation to type of disease. The highest scores for anxiety were associated with emotion-focused coping (β=0.164, p=0.001) whereas, for depression, the highest scores were associated with escape–avoidance (β=0.108, p=0.044). No correlation was found between stress levels and type of coping. ConclusionsPatients with IBD have a tendency to focus on emotions in their coping process, and this process appears to be related not only to sociodemographic characteristics or features of the disease itself but also to psychological factors—anxiety and depression, primarily.

Religion, resources, and work-family balance

It is increasingly recognised that work and family roles are interconnected. This is one reason why researchers and practitioners are working to understand and facilitate balance between work and nonwork roles. Most existing literature defines inter-role balance by emphasising work and family roles alone; unfortunately, this narrow focus prevents us from recognising individuals’ engagements in many other roles that may also influence one's balance. The present study expands our thinking about work-family balance by presenting and testing a model that incorporates involvement in a third role, organised religion. Specifically, we examine religious involvement, among Hindus living in the United States (N = 105), as a predictor of resource gain and loss, and its effect on perceptions of work-family balance. Working within a Conversation of Resources framework, it was then expected that this resource gain/loss would influence coping strategies and perceptions of bi-directional work-family conflict and facilitation (indicators of work-family balance).

Accuracy in Parameter Estimation for the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation: Sample Size Planning for Narrow Confidence Intervals

The root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) is one of the most widely reported measures of misfit/fit in applications of structural equation modeling. When the RMSEA is of interest, so too should be the accompanying confidence interval. A narrow confidence interval reveals that the plausible parameter values are confined to a relatively small range at the specified level of confidence. The accuracy in parameter estimation approach to sample size planning is developed for the RMSEA so that the confidence interval for the population RMSEA will have a width whose expectation is sufficiently narrow. Analytic developments are shown to work well with a Monte Carlo simulation study. Freely available computer software is developed so that the methods discussed can be implemented. The methods are demonstrated for a repeated measures design where the way in which social relationships and initial depression influence coping strategies and later depression are examined.

Trauma exposure characteristics, past traumatic life events, coping strategies, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychiatric comorbidity among people with anaphylactic shock experience

Objectives This study investigated the interrelationship between trauma exposure characteristics, past traumatic life events, coping strategies, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and psychiatric comorbidity among people after anaphylactic shock experience. Method The design was cross-sectional in that 94 people with anaphylactic shock experience responded to a postal survey. They completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, the General Health Questionnaire 28, and the COPE Scale. They also answered questions on trauma exposure characteristics. The control group comprised 83 people without anaphylaxis. Results Twelve percent of people with anaphylactic shock experience fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for full PTSD. As a group, people with anaphylaxis reported significantly more past traumatic life events and psychiatric comorbidity than did the control. Partial least squares analysis showed that trauma exposure characteristics influenced postanaphylactic shock PTSD symptoms and psychiatric comorbidity, which, in turn, influenced coping strategies. Conclusions People could develop PTSD and psychiatric comorbidity symptoms after their experience of anaphylactic shock. The way they coped with anaphylactic shock was affected by the severity of these symptoms. Past traumatic life events had a limited role to play in influencing outcomes.

Psychological aspects and coping styles of parents with Haemophilic child undergoing a programme of counselling and psychological support

Parents of children affected by haemophilia must face, often without prior knowledge, the difficult challenge imposed by such a pathology. To satisfy the need of information, guideline and psychological support for a better quality of life, 30 parents with haemophiliac children have participated in a programme of counselling and psychological support. Such a programme has the aim of guiding the group trough a process of discovery, comparison and personal growth and stimulating adaptive processes of problem-solving and decision-making. The aim of this paper was to verify how the programme influenced coping strategies and other psychological constructs such as depression and anxiety. Subjects of this study were administered the following psychological tests: COPE (coping, orientation to problems experienced), BDI (beck depression inventory), STAI-Y form (state-trait anxiety inventory) at the beginning and at the end of the programme. The results show that by the end of the programme subjects are characterized by a greater use of problem-focused coping strategies, typical of individuals who think that the situation is susceptible to change, and a minor use of emotion-focused coping strategies, related to individuals who regard the situation as immutable. The use of avoidance -focused coping strategies seems to remain at the same level even if it was low. Also the other psychological aspects investigated, namely depression and anxiety, did receive a positive influence. The results show how significant such programme has been for parents.

Pain assessment.

Pain usually is the major complaint of patients with problems of the back, thus making pain evaluation a fundamental requisite in the outcome assessment in spinal surgery. Pain intensity, pain-related disability, pain duration and pain affect are the aspects that define pain and its effects. For each of these aspects, different assessment instruments exist and are discussed in terms of advantages and disadvantages. Risk factors for the development of chronic pain have been a major topic in pain research in the past two decades. Now, it has been realised that psychological and psychosocial factors may substantially influence pain perception in patients with chronic pain and thus may influence the surgical outcome. With this background, pain acceptance, pain tolerance and pain-related anxiety as factors influencing coping strategies are discussed. Finally, a recommendation for a minimum as well as for a more comprehensive pain assessment is given.