Number Of Coping Strategies Research Articles

Psychological characteristics of patients with pancreatitis as a factor in forming commitment to treatment

The article is devoted to the study of the psychological characteristics of patients with pancreatitis in order to determine possible targets for psychological correction. Increased rates of anxiety, sensitivity, egocentrism, as well as differences with the comparison sample in a number of coping strategies were revealed. The results obtained can be used to carry out psychocorrectional work in order to form the necessary level of adherence to treatment in patients with pancreatitis.

The association between dietary diversity, social assistance, and coping strategy with household food security during COVID-19 in Tulungagung District, East Java

Background : Food insecurity is still prevalent in Indonesia and COVID-19 impacts led to severe and widespread increases in food insecurity, affecting vulnerable households with impacts expected to continue into 2022 and possibly beyond.
 Objective : This study aimed to determine the association between dietary diversity, social assistance, and coping strategies with food security during COVID-19 in Tulungagung, East Java.
 Methods : This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tulungagung District, East Java with interviewed using telephone from May to July 2021. Multistage random sampling was conducted to 187 parents (mother or father). The study used structured questionnaire for socio demographic background, Household Food Insecure Assess Scale (HFIAS), dietary diversity scale, coping strategy index instruments to collect the data.
 Results : This study found the prevalence of food insecurity in Tulungagung were 56.1%. There was association between income (p=0.021, OR= 2.388(1.123-5.079)), dietary diversity (p=0.007, OR=3.400(1.440-8.200)), number of coping strategies (p=<0.001, OR=10.020(5.055-9.861)), and coping strategies food compromisation (p=<0.00, OR=13.337(5.835-3.485)) with food security.
 Conclusions : Most households have faced food insecurity because of lower income during the pandemic, have low dietary diversity, and tend to use coping strategy to survive. By this finding, it is important for government to give priority and focus on vulnerable household in social assistance for the long term and more focused to build up human capital among households through skill and training to ensure the resilience of food security.

Влияние копинг-стратегий пациентов пожилого и старческого возраста на исходы лечения дегенеративно-дистрофических заболеваний позвоночника

Introduction Dissatisfaction with conservative treatments of various types of dorsopathies results in increased number of surgical interventions to eliminate the accompanying clinical manifestations. Patients' psychosocial characteristics are likely to impact treatment satisfaction, and personality traits as cognitive status, depression, anxiety and coping strategies of the patient have a role. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of the coping strategies of a patient on surgical treatment outcomes in older patients with dorsopathy. Material and methods The study included 149 patients with dorsopathy aged 60 years and over. The patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group (n = 54) consisted of patients with central stenosis of the spinal canal (M48.0) who underwent minimally invasive surgeries without stabilization. The second group included 95 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis and unstable VMS (M43.1, M53.2). A variety of decompression and stabilization surgical technologies were employed for the patients. Results The majority of patients in the first group ( n = 46, 85 %) obtained satisfactory surgical outcome. Eight patient (15 %) had poor outcome. An inverse, moderate, statistically significant correlation was revealed between maladaptive coping strategies identified with Ways of Coping Questionnaire (distancing, avoidance), Stress Coping Questionnaire (behavioral avoidance of a problem), the Coping Strategy Indicator (avoidance) and surgical outcome. Surgical outcome was rated as satisfactory in 79 (83.2 %) cases and poor in 16 (16.8 %) patients of the second group (n = 95). Patients of the second group showed a greater number of coping strategies having a statistically significant correlation with treatment outcome. Patients with adaptive strategies resulting from decompression and stabilization operations had a more favorable outcome. Maladaptive coping strategies such as confrontation, avoidance and behavioral avoidance of the problem had a negative impact on treatment outcome. Discussion A comprehensive analysis of the questionnaire data showed that the more aggressive the intervention was with the use of fixation constructs, the greater the impact of the patient's coping strategies on the outcome of treatment observed. This relationship was not found in decompression cases with maladaptive strategies being most significant. Conclusion We can conclude about the predictive value of coping strategies based on the impact of the severity of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies on the outcome and satisfaction with the surgical treatment of dorsopathies in older patients. This factor is essential for the preoperative stage to facilitate personalized treatment options for the complex group of patients.

Longitudinal study of age-related differences in the psychological impact of confinement as a consequence of Covid-19 in a Spanish sample

This research aims to analyze age-related differences in the psychological impact of the Covid-19 confinement situation in a Spanish sample. A longitudinal study (N= 1,041) was conducted through an online survey with two measurements: at two and five weeks after the declaration of the alarm state in Spain. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depressive symptoms, spiritual well-being and perceived loneliness were evaluated by screening tests. Means and their confidence intervals (95%) were calculated for all variables in the study, for the three age groups: 18-30, 31-59, 60-80. Linear mixed models with random slopes (Time nested to Subjects) were calculated for each variable. The results indicate that the psychological impact caused by the pandemic persists over time, and even increases in some of the variables studied. The older age group (60-80 years) shows the least impact and the greatest well-being. They presented less depressive, anxious and PTSD symptoms and less loneliness. These results may be explained by the greater resilience of this group to recover from adverse situations, in addition to having a greater number of coping strategies.

\u201cThis is hard to cope with\u201d: the lived experience and coping strategies adopted amongst Australian women with pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy

BackgroundWomen with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) report diminished ability to perform physical activities and experience higher rates of mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, than pregnant women without PPGP. Despite these physical and psychological impacts, little is known about the lived experiences of PPGP amongst Australian women and the ways in which they cope. Situated within biographical disruption and social support theories, this study sought to gain a conceptual understanding of the experience and impact of PPGP on daily life, and how women cope with this condition during pregnancy.MethodsA qualitative research design, situated within a phenomenological framework, using individual, semi-structured interviews consisting of open-ended questions was used with a flexible and responsive approach. Purposive sampling of pregnant women attending a single hospital included 20 participants between 14 and 38 weeks gestation, classified with PPGP as per recommended guidelines, with a mean (SD) age of 31.37 (4.16) years. Thematic analysis was performed where interview data was transcribed, coded, grouped into meaningful categories and then constructed into broad themes.ResultsThree themes were identified: 1. a transformed biography; 2. coping strategies; and 3. what women want. The pain experienced created a dramatic change in women’s lives, making the pregnancy difficult to endure. Women utilised social support, such as family, to help them cope with pain, and a self-care approach to maintain a positive mindset and reduce stress. Although a few women received support from healthcare professionals, many reported a lack information on PPGP and limited societal recognition of the condition. Women wanted early education, personalised information and prompt referral to help them cope with PPGP.ConclusionsFindings from this study highlighted the complexity of living with PPGP as women attempted to deal with the unexpected impact on daily life by seeking support from partners and families, while also struggling with societal expectations. Although women with PPGP used a number of coping strategies, they sought greater support from healthcare professionals to effectively manage PPGP. These findings have important implications for the provision of health care to women living with PPGP.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618001423202.

The Psychological Experience of Frontline Perioperative Health Care Staff in Responding to COVID-19: Qualitative Study.

BackgroundThe rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has presented immeasurable challenges to health care workers who remain at the frontline of the pandemic. A rapidly evolving body of literature has quantitatively demonstrated significant psychological impacts of the pandemic on health care workers. However, little is known about the lived experience of the pandemic for frontline medical staff.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the qualitative experience of perioperative staff from a large trauma hospital in Melbourne, Australia.MethodsInductive thematic analysis using a critical realist approach was used to analyze data from 9 semistructured interviews.ResultsFour key themes were identified. Hospital preparedness related to the perceived readiness of the hospital to respond to the pandemic and encompassed key subthemes around communication of policy changes, team leadership, and resource availability. Perceptions of readiness contributed to the perceived psychological impacts of the pandemic, which were highly varied and ranged from anger to anxiety. A number of coping strategies were identified in response to psychological impacts which incorporated both internal and external coping mechanisms. Finally, adaptation with time reflected change and growth over time, and encompassed all other themes.ConclusionsWhile frontline staff and hospitals have rapidly marshalled a response to managing the virus, relatively less consideration was seen regarding staff mental health in our study. Findings highlight the vulnerability of health care workers in response to the pandemic and reinforce the need for a coordinated approach to managing mental health.

Heat Perception and Coping Strategies: A Structured Interview-Based Study of Elderly People in Cologne, Germany.

The transdisciplinary project “Heat-Health Action Plan for Elderly People in Cologne” addresses the most heat-vulnerable risk group, people over 65 years of age. A quantitative study aimed to better understand heat perception and coping strategies of elderly people during heat waves to inform heat-health action plans. We conducted a representative quantitative survey via structured interviews with 258 randomly chosen people over 65 years old, living in their own homes in four areas of Cologne, Germany. These areas varied, both in terms of social status and heat strain. Data regarding demographics, health status, coping strategies, and heat perception were collected in personal interviews from August to October 2019. The majority of the participants perceived heat strain as moderate to very challenging. Women, people with a lower monthly income, and those with a lower health status found the heat more challenging. We found that participants adapted to heat with a number of body-related, home-protective, and activity-related coping strategies. The number of coping strategies was associated with perceived personal heat strain. There is a definite underuse of water-related heat adaption strategies among the elderly. This is of increasing relevance, as rising heat impact will lead to more heat-related geriatric morbidity. Our results are seminal to inform elderly-specific, socio-adapted local heat-health action plans.

HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY AND COPING STRATEGIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Food security is one of the crucial areas of global concerns, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, a number of countries, including Malaysia, started to impose a generalised quarantine or lockdown as a measure to curb the spread of the disease. The key aspect of this measure is the restricted movement of people, goods and transportation. As a result, food supply and consequently, food security became embroiled in the mix. Questions such as will we be able to get the food supply during the pandemic, will there be enough food for everyone, and how will we cope in ensuring household food security were asked. Thus, the aim of this paper is to explore the issues of household food security and the short-term coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically focusing on the views of respondents from Sarawak, Malaysia. Findings and discussion in this paper are based on data that was collected online from 235 respondents from all over Sarawak, Malaysia. It is found that availability of food is not really an issue but the challenges of food security during the COVID-19 pandemic are more focused on access to their preferred food and the choices of food that are available. A number of coping strategies has also been identified, such as getting food from alternative sources like online shopping, home vegetable gardens and preservation and storing of surplus food to make them last longer. These measures are not considered as severe.

I don\u2019t want to think about it: a qualitative study of children (6\u201318\u2009years) with rheumatic diseases and parents\u2019 experiences with regular needle injections at home

BackgroundOverall outcomes of pediatric rheumatic diseases (RD) have improved due to treatment with biologic agents and methotrexate. For many children, this treatment often entails regular needle injections. Pain and fear of needle injections are common in childhood, but how children and parents handle long-term needle injections at home has not been fully explored. This study aimed to explore how regular needle injections affect children with RD and their parents in their daily living.MethodsThis explorative qualitative study used individual interviews and focus groups to ensure a comprehensive investigation of the topic. Children aged 6 to 16 years (n = 7) and their parents (n = 8) were interviewed individually 4 to 6 months after the onset of needle injection treatment. The focus groups included children aged 11 to 17 years (n = 9) and parents (n = 8) with a minimum of 6 months of experience with injection treatment. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe main themes; “challenges,” “motivational factors,” and “routines” captured experiences and strategies that influenced the continuation of needle injections at home. Many children feared the moment immediately before the needle stick, although they had become accustomed to the pain. Most parents felt insecure about handling needle injections and lacked follow-up from healthcare providers. The children’s experience of treatment effects and self-confidence were essential to maintain motivation for further injections. A number of coping strategies helped children focus away from injection related discomfort, often discovered by chance. Facilitating firm routines and shared responsibility within families helped children develop self-confidence during the procedure. Children and parents struggled to find suitable information on the Internet.ConclusionsChildren and parents experienced long-term needle injections challenging. They used their own limited resources and cooperated within the families to create routines and to introduce coping strategies necessary to manage and keep up with the procedure. Although the injection itself was not experienced very painful, the discomfort, worries and impact on daily life represented far more than a little needle stick, and thus needs more attention from healthcare providers.

Awareness, anxiety and coping regarding COVID-19 among South Indian population: web based cross sectional survey

Background: COVID-19, a highly infectious pandemic illness, has caused stress in everyone globally. It is a new situation, where no one is prepared to battle. With the currently available data, health care and the government makes guidelines and fights against this pandemic. The cooperation of the public is highly important to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19.Methods: A web based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 519 participants using convenience snowballing technique to assess the awareness, anxiety, and coping strategies regarding COVID-19 from 14 May 2020 to 24 May 2020. The validated online Google form questionnaire consisted of demographic variables, questionnaire related to awareness on COVID-19, anxiety related to COVID-19, and coping strategies. The analysis was done using both the descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The majority of them were graduates and postgraduates. And 78% of them reported that no COVID-19 positive cases were identified in their area. The awareness score was 7.47±1.37 (median=8, range: 1-10). And the overall anxiety regarding COVID-19 was 47.74±11.58 (Range 17-85). On average, participants practiced 4 coping strategies ranged from 1-8 mainly ‘talking to friends and family’ and ‘taking care of diet’. Awareness was positively correlated with behavioral anxiety (r=0.103, p=0.019) and the number of coping strategies used (r=0.146, p=0.001).Conclusions: The study showed that awareness was positively associated with hand washing, social distancing which are the parts of preventive activities. Health promotion activities in terms of health education can improve the behavioural change.

Encountering authority and avoiding trouble: Young migrant men’s narratives of negotiation in Europe

Drawing on data from seven European countries (Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and the United Kingdom), this article seeks to identify how young migrant men engage with authority and avoid conflict against a backdrop of increasing hostility towards migrants in many European countries. As this article contends, even those with permanent residency status in the host country often find themselves having to justify their legitimacy to carry out daily tasks, resulting in many young male migrants living with feelings of perpetual insecurity. As such, a number of coping strategies are employed by young migrant men in order to assuage such feelings and mitigate potential risks. Focusing on the lived experiences of this group, as described in narrative interviews, our study found that many young migrant men are required to enter into negotiations with authority figures, where there is a considerable power differential. Acting as risk assessors, they find themselves forced to navigate complex and challenging social relations and support networks. We show how self-limiting behaviour intended to avoid or control interactions with authority and the negotiations conducted to minimize the risk of ‘trouble’ by young migrant men not only are problematic in the context of day-to-day activities but can very often have a detrimental impact on their lives.

Household Food Insecurity, Coping Strategies, and Happiness: The Case of Two Public Housing Communities

Food insecurity continues to affect a significant number of U.S. households, even during periods of economic growth and prosperity. Household food insecurity in the U.S. is measured with the Food Security Core Survey Module, which reflects the importance of household financial resource con­straint as the ultimate cause of food insecurity. While the module recognizes some of the strategies households employ to cope with food hardships, it hardly encompasses the salient strategies common­ly used by low-income families. The purpose of this study is to identify the major strategies low-income households employ to cope with their food insecurity, and to gain insight into the process they go through toward making ends meet and into how the process may affect their sense of overall happiness. To this end, a survey instrument[1] was developed and administered to low-income house­holds in two public housing communities in Atlanta, Georgia. The results indicated that the majority of the sampled households, even those classified as food secure, report insufficiency of income to cover their monthly expenses. As a consequence, they employed a number of coping strategies to make ends meet. These included forgoing or delaying purchases of non-food items and borrowing or seeking help from friends and relatives. The study also found a mismatch between household self-assessment of their food conditions and food-security level classification. Despite the severity of coping strategies used, some households reported overall happiness with their lives, although, for the majority, the results suggested a positive association between percep­tions of food sufficiency and a sense of overall happiness. [1] The survey instrument it is available from the corresponding author upon request.

COPING STRATEGIES AS DETERMINANTS OF READINESS FOR AGE-RELATED CHANGES

he article analyzes the topical matter of psychological mechanisms of awareness by person of own age. The problem is considered through study of relationship between the coping and subjective willingness to adopt age-related changes throughout the life. The aim of the article was to study features of the coping strategies as determinants of psychological readiness for age-related changes adoption in people of various ages (19-85 years old). Four hundred three inhabitants of four regions of Ukraine were surveyed, involving: 95 persons ‒ inhabitants of the Southern Ukraine (23.6%), 100 persons ‒ residents of the Eastern Ukraine (24.8%), 108 persons – residents of the Central Ukraine (26.8%), 100 persons – residents of the Western Ukraine (24.8%). The method of readiness for age-related changes (N.S. Gluhanyuk, T.B. Gershkovich) and the SACS coping questionnaire (S. Hobfoll with co-authors) were used. It was found that components and levels of readiness for age-related changes adoption are determined by a number of coping strategies that are characterized by the prosocial coping vector, which is guided by future-oriented processes. It was shown that the coping has the most important value in formation of readiness for age-related changes adoption at the age under 35 years old. During this age period, the strategies activation of making social contact, search for social support, as well as the avoidance strategies suppression, play the most important role in integral readiness provision. The basic assumption of the research was confirmed related to the coping strategies as determinants of psychological readiness for age-related changes adoption. The fact determined in our research related to the avoidance coping strategies, as negative predictor of readiness for age-related changes adoption, corresponds to the data that acceptance of thoughts of aging intensifies and stabilizes the experience of transformational aging. The idea, debated in literature, of proactive and anticipatory-preventive attitude towards age-related changes adoption, which enables the efficient coping of age-related changes, was also confirmed in the research performed.

Ologit analysis of determinants of vulnerability to food insecurity by cocoa farming households in Southern Asunafo, Republic of Ghana

Purpose. Using ologit analytical tool, this study examined the determinants of vulnerability to food insecurity by cocoa farming households in Southern Asunafo, Ghana and assessed the coping strategies adopted by the farmers against food shortage related shocks. 
 Methodology / approach. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to elicit cross sectional data from a total of 150 cocoa farmers across the 11 settlements in the study area using a semi-structured questionnaire. CARE and WFP (2003) Household Coping Strategy Index (CSI) and Factor analysis were used to determine vulnerability to food insecurity status of the households and ordered logit regression was used to identify the determinants of vulnerability. The data was analyzed using STATA software. 
 Results. Findings from the study revealed that 35.33 % of the households were moderately vulnerable while 33.33 % and 31.34 % were mildly and severely vulnerable respectively in the study area. Borrowing food, eating seed stock, begging for food and reducing meals were the major coping strategies adopted by the households. The ordered logit regression result shows that being a female household head increases the probability of being vulnerable. Age of household head was found to be significant (p < 0.05) and negatively influencing Vulnerability to food insecurity. Household dependants and number of coping strategies were found to be significant (p<0.05) and positively influencing Vulnerability. Education level, farm income and labor hour use were found to be significant (p < 0.1) and negatively influencing vulnerability. Marital Status, Access to extension and off-farm occupation were significant (p > 0.05) and negatively influencing household vulnerability to food insecurity among the households.
 Originality / scientific novelty. Author’s developed econometric model is very useful is empirically assessing determinants of vulnerability of cocoa farming households to food poverty in southern Asunafo district, and to form a basis for decision making regarding achieving food security in Southern Asonafo. The proposed method offers great potentials for achieving safe, nutritious, and accessible food security condition amidst the challenge of food poverty.
 Practical value / implications. The study concluded that policies that address the major determinants of vulnerability such as education, off-farm occupation, access to extension services and income diversifications with emphasis on cocoa female farmers’ empowerment are will enhance resilience of rural farming households to food insecurity in the study area.

Livelihood strategies and household resilience to food insecurity: insight from a farming community in Aguie district of Niger

Niger is regularly affected by food insecurity, mainly due to the high sensitivity of its agricultural sector to climate variability. Despite the support from multiple development institutions and households’ willingness to address food security, hunger and malnutrition continue to challenge many vulnerable households. This study aims to analyze household livelihood strategies toward food security and assess factors determining their resilience. To address the issue, cluster analysis and the principal component analysis were used to identify the different livelihood strategies and to construct a resilience index, respectively. Regression analysis was used to identify the most significant factors determining households’ resilience. The results indicate there were six different household types—pastoralist-extensive agriculturalists, farmers, agro-pastoralists, public service employees, entrepreneurs and wage employees—however, the majority of households obtained their livelihood from both agriculture and livestock (agro-pastoral systems). The principal component analysis highlighted that the pastoralist-extensive agriculturalists are the most resilient followed by public service employees, while households focused on wage labor are the least resilient, followed by entrepreneurs. In terms of gender, the study reveals that households headed by men are more resilient than those headed by women. However, the resilience components including income and food access, assets and adaptive capacity are the most correlated with the households’ resilience to food insecurity. Furthermore, the regression analysis results reveal that the household size, crop production, farming experience, livestock size and number of coping strategies are the most significant factors determining household resilience to food insecurity. Consequently, to face the challenges of climate change and food security, rational investments in agriculture are necessary to transit rural household land-use practices to climate-smart agriculture.

Feasibility of measuring psychological resilience in hospitalized patients with acute illness: The Resilience After the Trauma of Acute Illness (RAFT) study

Resilience is the ‘ability to bounce back’. We want to investigate whether measurement of resilience during an acute hospital admission is feasible. We conducted a feasibility study. Resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience Scale. Results were contextualized by measuring chronic disease burden, anxiety, depression, coping strategies and personality traits. 56 or 103 patients approached took part in the study. A group of 12 patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation served as a control group. We found evidence of low resilience in 4/44 (9%) patients admitted as medical emergencies. Low resilience was statistically related to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and a number of coping strategies and personality traits. We found no relation between measures of resilience and previous admissions to hospital. The concept of resilience might be applicable to unscheduled admissions to hospital. Larger studies are required to establish whether low resilience is common and amenable to intervention. REC number 17/WA/0024.

Mom, Dad, or Somewhere In Between: Role‐Relational Ambiguity and Children of Transgender Parents

ObjectiveThis study introduces the concept of role‐relational ambiguity to explain the challenges some individuals face in adjusting to a parent's gender transition.BackgroundWhen a parent undergoes a gender transition, our society lacks both the language and social scripts to describe how parent‐child relationships and roles should look afterward. Yet little is understood about how children of transgender parents experience a parent's transition.MethodDrawing from in‐depth interviews with 30 adult children of transgender parents, this article documents the occurrence of role‐relational ambiguity and how individuals manage this ambiguity in the long term.ResultsResults indicate repeated discussions of role‐relational ambiguity in a majority of participants. In the long term, participants developed a number of strategies for coping with role‐relational ambiguity.ConclusionRole‐relational ambiguity is a common occurrence for the children of transgender people interviewed in this study. Yet, it is evident that most of these participants were actively engaged in attempts to restructure and redefine relationships with their transgender parents despite the obstacles presented by role‐relational ambiguity.ImplicationsRole‐relational ambiguity is an understandable response to unexpected family changes, and one that can be worked through with time, understanding, and the proper resources.

Predictors of food insecurity and coping strategies of women asylum seekers and refugees in Durban, South Africa

BackgroundThis cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of household food insecurity and the association between food insecurity and coping strategies among women asylum seekers and refugees in the city of Durban in South Africa.MethodsA coping strategy questionnaire was used to determine food security as this gives a good indication of what the women have to go through in order to provide safe and nutritionally sound meals to family members. The questionnaire also presents an indicator of food security, with a higher score indicating a higher level of food insecurity. Participants were recruited in the Durban city centre from church and community meetings and in their workplace. Data were collected from 200 women. Households were classified as food-secure and food-insecure groups for comparison purposes. Data were analysed on SPSS, version 23.0, for descriptive statistics, correlations, and logistic and bivariate linear regression.ResultsThe results showed that 96.2% of the women were living in poverty (< US$1.9 per person per day). Only 8.0% of the women were food secure. Regarding the coping strategies, except for ‘sending children to the refugee pre-schools’ the number of coping strategies was significantly higher in the food-insecure group (p = 0.000). The number of people in the household, the unemployment status of the women and household income were predictors of poverty (R2 = 0.859, p = 0.000, SEE = 0.189). Larger household size, households spending between ZAR700 and ZAR900 on food monthly (OR 1.01; CI 0.26–4.56) and households purchasing food from street vendors (OR 4.02; CI 01.35–46.23) or informal community shops (OR 4.1; CI 0.42–40.22) were indicators of food insecurity.ConclusionThis study points to a serious problem of household food insecurity among black women asylum seekers and refugees in the city of Durban, South Africa. The food security status of this group of women can possibly impact on the nutritional status of the family unit and make the family vulnerable to disease and illness. This will place an additional burden on the government in providing healthcare services to refugees and asylum seekers.

How to ensure optimal care for people living with dementia

There are 106 types of dementia and they affect the brain in different ways. Front-line nurses can help to support people with dementia – as well their families – with a number of coping strategies

Care-giving Coping Strategies Among Mothers with Chronically Ill Children

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the study is to identify the types of stresses experienced and the coping strategies used by mothers who are responsible for providing care to their chronically ill and disabled children. A qualitative approach was selected to systematically document the experiences and highlight individual coping strategies. Purposive sampling was used in this qualitative pilot study, fifteen (15) mothers who were known to the researcher as well as two schools that specifically cater for children with disabilities were selected to participate in the study. Thirty questionnaires were handed out of which fifteen were returned. Data was collected using the coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) to measure the extent to which parents perceived a number of coping strategies to be helpful in coping with the chronic illness of their child (ren). The scale comprised 45 items with 3 subscales. The results highlighted the types of stresses that were experienced by the mothers and the coping strategies practiced by these mothers when caring for their disabled children. Mothers who care for chronically ill children are faced with daily stress that relates to care as well as their personal life.