People Coping Research Articles

A randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effect of diet on weight loss and coping of people living with HIV and lipodystrophy

The purpose of the research study was to evaluate a diet intervention in relation to the perceived weight loss and ways of coping of people living with HIV and lipodystrophy. The objectives were (i) to measure the perceived impact of weight loss upon men with HIV and lipodystrophy following a diet intervention and (ii) to identify strategies used by men to cope with HIV and lipodystrophy following a diet intervention. HIV positive people on antiretroviral treatments are normalizing their lives and are facing a life-long future. Morphological changes occur as a result of antiretroviral therapy causing HIV positive people to hesitate commencing treatment. An experimental design incorporating pretests and posttests of experimental and control groups was used in the study. The sample consisted of 30 men over 18 years of age, living with HIV and lipodystrophy. All participants were surveyed by questionnaires and their perceived weight loss and ways of coping were measured at baseline and 10 weeks. Findings indicated a significant improvement for perceived weight loss and although not significant, all coping processes were used more by the participants in the intervention group compared with the control group. The diet intervention demonstrated a positive effect particularly upon perceived weight loss on men living with HIV and Lipodystrophy in the study setting. Diet is a recommended management option for people who endure severe and distressing symptoms from antiretroviral therapy.

Psychological Status, Coping, and Social Support of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Central China

To investigate psychological status, coping, social support, and psychosocial factors associated with people living with HIV/AIDS in a highly HIV-infected area of central China. Cross-sectional descriptive correlation study. Of 200 individuals with HIV/AIDS registered at the "Warm Homestead" health care center (central China), all who met the eligibility criteria (n=103) were recruited; 94 of these completed questionnaires. Four anonymous self-administered questionnaires were used: (a) demographic data questionnaire, (b) Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), (c) Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, and (d) Perceived Social Support Scale questionnaire. Participants had low education levels and family incomes. The majority (n=87, 92.6%) had become infected due to improper procedures during plasma donations. Participants reported moderately high levels of perceived social support, but their high SCL-90 scores indicated high levels of psychological distress. The most frequently used coping style was confrontation. Both acceptance-resignation and avoidance coping styles were significantly correlated with high distress (high SCL-90 total and subscale scores). Public health personnel and AIDS professionals may consider further interventions to promote psychological health in HIV/AIDS-positive individuals in highly HIV-infected areas of China, as the available social support did not seem to be effective in decreasing psychological pathology or mobilizing their coping strategies.

Coping in aged people with Alzheimer's disease

The intensity of stress experiences and elaboration of coping essentially depend on individuals' cognitive assessment. Considering the cognitive impairment of elderly persons with Alzheimer's disease (DA), this study aimed to identify their coping style. The Jalowiec Coping Inventory was applied to 60 elderly, 30 in the control group and 30 in the DA group. The results demonstrated a predominance of emotion-focused coping in the DA group and problem-focused coping in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.124). In addition, it was observed that individuals with better cognitive development in the DA group selected problem-focused coping strategies (p=0.0074). Thus, it seems there is a tendency to select evasive and emotional control strategies in demented elderly with worsened cognitive performance, rather than attempting to solve the problem or minimize its consequences.

Why some survive: Coping, resilience and social capital in armed conflict

Contemporary armed conflicts are taking place almost exclusively in the 'developing world'. Millions of people who are mostly poor are being displaced from their homes and livelihood, as well as separated from their families and communities. Further, violence and diseases are the major causes of death and morbidity. Yet, there are many who survive. However, very little is known about how and why they survive. In particular, the role of social capital in the coping responses of people and their recovery from the adversities created by armed conflict is not clearly understood. This paper explores the ways by which social capital is a resource for coping and recovery for people displaced by armed conflict. Social relationships and networks of reciprocity are among the elements of social capital that mediate the impact of armed conflict on people's vulnerabilities. It is thus argued that humanitarian agencies should use strategies that can enhance the capacity of people to mobilise their local resources for coping, survival and recovery.

A randomised controlled trial of a group intervention to reduce engulfment and self-stigmatisation in first episode schizophrenia

Young people coping with first episode schizophrenia may be predisposed to illness engulfment whereby the illness entirely defines self-concept. They require psychosocial intervention to preserve a...

Regulation of Positive Emotions: Emotion Regulation Strategies that Promote Resilience

The regulation of emotions is essential in everyday life. In this paper, we discuss the regulation of positive emotional experiences. Our discussion focuses on strategies aimed at maintaining and increasing experiences of positive emotions. We discuss the importance of these strategies for well-being, and suggest that cultivating positive emotions may be particularly useful for building resilience to stressful events. Then, we explore possible mechanisms that link positive emotions to coping for resilient people, with a focus on the automatic activation of positive emotions while coping. We conclude by discussing alternative models and proposing future directions in the work on positive emotion regulation and resilience.

Appraisals and coping in people living with cancer: a meta‐analysis

The present meta-analysis examined the relationship between primary appraisal dimensions and coping strategies in people with cancer. Primary appraisals were operationalized as appraisals of threat, challenge, and harm/loss. Coping was operationalized according to two coping taxonomies: the first based on coping efforts to manage the stressor itself and/or the distressful feelings associated with it (problem- or emotion-focused coping, respectively) and the second based on the general orientation of the coping efforts (approach or avoidance coping). Appraisals of threat were (counter-intuitively) related to use of problem-focused coping (r=0.20); appraisals of harm and/or loss were related to avoidance coping (r=0.23); and appraisals of challenge were related to both problem-focused (r=0.15) and approach coping (r=0.14). These findings suggest that individuals with cancer who appraise their illness as a threat are likely to use more problem-focused coping strategies. Individuals who appraise their cancer as a harm/loss, however, are likely to use more avoidance coping strategies. And finally, those who appraise their cancer as a challenge are likely to use approach coping strategies. Factors found to moderate the relationship between appraisals and coping included age of the participant, time since diagnosis, and type of cancer.

Social comparison, coping and depression in people with spinal cord injury

The present study among 70 people with spinal cord injury examined the prevalence and correlates of identification (seeing others as a potential future) and contrast (seeing others in competitive terms) in social comparison as related to coping and depression. The most prevalent social comparison strategy was downward contrast (a positive response to seeing others who were worse-off), followed by upward identification (a positive response to perceiving better-off others as a potential future), downward identification (a negative response to perceiving worse-off others as a potential future), and upward contrast (a negative response to seeing others who were better-off). Those with less severe lesions reported the highest levels of upward contrast, coping through blaming others, and depression. Downward contrast was particularly related to constructive coping, and upward identification to wishful thinking. The less adaptive social comparison strategies, i.e., upward contrast and downward identification, were quite strongly related to wishful thinking and blaming others. Particularly upward contrast, i.e., feeling bad as response to seeing that others are better-off, was related to depression.

Sociopsychological factors relating to suicide prevention in a Japanese rural community: Coping behaviors and attitudes toward depression and suicidal ideation

In response to the rise in suicide in Japan since 1998, some suicide prevention measures in local communities have been put into action. However, in the previous suicide prevention measures, sociopsychological factors were not fully taken into consideration. In the present study, the authors surveyed sociopsychological factors relating to suicide and depression (i.e. people's coping behavior and thoughts about depression and suicidal ideation, and their attitudes toward suicide and psychiatric treatment), and their differences in gender and generations. The present study was conducted in a rural area of Japan (Town A), where the suicide rate is much higher than the national average. The authors randomly selected 10% of the residents (i.e. 532 people) aged between 40 and 79 years on the basis of resident registration. Health promotion volunteers in Town A visited these 532 people individually, distributed questionnaires, and asked them to anonymously answer the questionnaire within 4 weeks. Data from 450 residents (193 men, 257 women) were analyzed in the present study. Although there were few gender differences, some significant differences were found between the younger (40-59 years) and older (60-79 years) residents. Generally, the younger were more pessimistic about their mental health than the elderly. It was also noteworthy that about 10% of the people thought that it was natural for them to have suicidal ideation, and about 18% reported that they had experienced suicidal ideation. Some suggestions were given to provide more effective suicide prevention measures.

Surat 2006 Floods: A Citizens' Report

Surat is situated at the mouth of the river Tapi where it meets the Arabian Sea and has for centuries been a flood-affected area. The most recent floods however, were different because of the magnitude of their effect. Nearly 90 per cent of the households were affected; six of the seven wards of the city had water standing for days. It crippled the economy and affected people's coping abilities. In the wake of the floods the Department of Human Resource Development of the Veer Narmad South Gujarat University and the Centre for Social Studies conducted a study looking at how people coped with the disaster and the impact of the flood on their lives and the economy. It offers some pointers about how the impact can be mitigated in similar situations in the future.

Development and validation of the Infertility Self-Efficacy scale

To develop and validate a scale of perceived self-efficacy for people coping with infertility treatment. Self-efficacy scale development involved: [1] item generation with medical experts in reproductive health; [2] a principal components analysis with varimax rotation to identify underlying item components; [3] test-retest reliability and construct (convergent and discriminant) validity with infertility patients, who were administered the Infertility Self-Efficacy (ISE) scale with other measures; and [4] expert acceptability, as determined by reproductive health professionals. Recruitment at a fertility center, a national infertility organization, and medical trials web pages. A total of 213 participants (159 women; 54 men) with a diagnosis of infertility in the past 2 years were recruited for the various study phases. None. Participants' infertility self-efficacy was assessed with an online assessment battery using the ISE scale; comparison mental health measures assessed current levels of fertility problem distress, perceived stress, and coping style. Reliability, validity, and component structure of the ISE was assessed. Measurement development yielded a brief 16-item ISE scale that taps an infertility patient's perception about his or her ability to engage in a set of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral skills related to the medical treatment of infertility. The single component of "cognitive/affect regulation" suggests this core set of skills is relevant to successfully managing the experience of infertility. The ISE correlations with comparison mental health measures were as expected, suggesting good convergent and discriminant validity. The ISE scale appears to be a reliable and valid measure of an individual's self confidence in areas related to health promotion during infertility treatment. Assessing an infertility patients' self-efficacy with the ISE may be useful in clinical research and as a counseling tool to help guide patients in actively managing their fertility treatment.

Effects of Insightful DisclosureWithin Computer Mediated Support Groupson Women With Breast Cancer

Written expression about emotionally traumatic events is associated with physical and mental health benefits, and this study examines how insightful disclosure within a computer-mediated support group for women with breast cancer affects breast cancer-related concerns, emotional well-being, and self-reported physical well-being. Using a word counting program that notes the percentage of words related to various linguistic dimensions, this research specifically examined the effects of insightful disclosure written within these groups. Surveys were administered just before group access and then 2 months and 5 months later. Insightful disclosure improved emotional well-being and reduced negative mood but did not influence breast cancer-related concerns or self-reported physical well-being. Despite the common and frequent use of computer-mediated social support (CMSS) groups for people coping with health concerns, very little research to date has quantitatively tested the effects of participating in CMSS groups, and this is among the first published studies to quantitatively link any specific activity within a CMSS group to any specific outcomes. Implications for improving psychosocial interventions for people with health concerns are discussed, and future research objectives are suggested.

The role of art-making in identity maintenance: case studies of people living with cancer

The aim of this qualitative research was to understand why some people with cancer take up art as a leisure activity, and how visual art-making in daily life might support identity maintenance/reconstruction. The study forms part of a larger project with people who view art-making as a resource for living with chronic illness. In order to provide a detailed, holistic analysis, the paper focuses on the accounts and artwork of three participants, two women (aged 47 and 59 years) each with breast cancer, and a man (aged 51 years) with stomach and lung cancer. The participants turned to art after a process of reflection but did not necessarily reject their pre-illness lifestyles or selves. Rather, art-making afforded many opportunities to retain familiar personal and social identities, and to resist being dominated by labels related to their illness. A practical implication is that people coping with cancer may need not only cognitive and emotional support, but opportunities to find meaningful activities. Such activities can be understood to have a powerful role in maintaining a familiar, positive identity in cancer, and providing a resource for coping.

Can urban regeneration programmes assist coping and recovery for people with mental illness? Suggestions from a qualitative case study

Researchers and policy-makers are increasingly recognizing that urban socio-environmental conditions can affect the development and course of numerous health problems. The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact an urban regeneration programme can have on everyday functioning, coping and recovery for people with a mental illness. We were also interested in discerning which component parts of the regeneration are the most important in positively affecting people with mental illness. These questions were explored through an in-depth qualitative case study of the Gospel Oak neighbourhood in London, which recently underwent an intensive urban regeneration programme. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with residents living with a mental illness (n = 16). Relevant participant observation was also conducted. Participants reported that interventions that improved community safety were by far the most important in affecting everyday coping and functioning. Interventions that improved the quantity and quality of shared community facilities had a positive, but milder effect on mental health. Component parts that appeared to have little effect included environmental landscaping and greater community involvement in decision-making processes. Most participants reported that their mental illness was a consequence of severe insults over the life-span, for example childhood neglect or family breakdown. Thus, the regeneration was seen as something that could assist coping, but not something that could significantly contribute to complete recovery. Our results thus suggest that urban regeneration can have a mild impact on people with mental illness, but this appears to be outweighed by life-span experience of severe individual-level risk factors. That said, some of our findings converge with other studies indicating that community safety and community facilities can play a role in positively affecting mental health. Further ethnographic and epidemiological research is necessary to explore these two factors.

How Wise People Cope with Crises and Obstacles in Life

How Wise People Cope with Crises and Obstacles in Life

Managing constraint: the experience of people with chronic pain

This study describes the experience of people with chronic pain. Using the method of grounded theory, 29 chronic pain sufferers were interviewed at an outpatient pain clinic. A model depicting the basic social psychological process of maintaining a normal life through constraint was developed. This process revolved around people's perception of the constraints imposed by pain: bodily constraint (constraint on the body and its relationship to the environment); activity constraint (the constraint on what people could do); and identity constraint (the constraint on what people could be). The degree to which pain had challenged what people had previously accepted as ‘normal’ was illustrated through their evaluation of the impact of pain. The conclusion of this process of evaluation reflected how people coped with the constraints of pain–whether they were assimilated, accommodated, confronted or subverted. In assimilation, the constraints were absorbed and normal life maintained. In accommodation, the constraints were accepted and normal life re-defined. In confrontation, the constraints were rejected and pre-pain identities and activities pursued despite leading to increased pain levels. In subversion, attempts were made to retain pre-pain identities, and although pain levels were minimized, activities were altered to a significant degree. The limitations imposed by pain often form the focus of people's coping efforts, rather than the pain per se. The desire to retain pre-pain ‘normal’ lifestyles may underlie people's use of coping strategies that exacerbate pain intensity and pain-related disability. Future research needs to explore both the relationship between adjustment to pain and adjustment to the restrictions associated with ageing, and the role of body techniques and identity management in adjustment to pain in order to understand factors which may promote pain acceptance.

Individual differences in age and self-efficacy in the unemployed

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of age in influencing the relationships among general self-efficacy, proactive attitude, and proactive coping in unemployed people. The sample consisted of 55 male and 49 female unemployed Australians participating in Job Search Training courses. They completed the General Self-Efficacy (GSE) Scale, the Proactive Attitude (PA) Scale, and the Proactive Coping (PC) Scale. The GSE, PA, and PC scores were found to be correlated, and a moderating effect for age was found on the relationship between PA and GSE. Regression analysis indicated that the moderation process could be explained by a mediating effect of PC. The results are discussed in terms of social learning theory, and implications are drawn regarding customisation of training programs for the unemployed.

Religious coping and psychological adjustment to stress: A meta-analysis

A growing body of literature suggests that people often turn to religion when coping with stressful events. However, studies on the efficacy of religious coping for people dealing with stressful situations have yielded mixed results. No published studies to date have attempted to quantitatively synthesize the research on religious coping and psychological adjustment to stress. The purpose of the current study was to synthesize the research on situation-specific religious coping methods and quantitatively determine their efficacy for people dealing with stressful situations. A meta-analysis of 49 relevant studies with a total of 105 effect sizes was conducted in order to quantitatively examine the relationship between religious coping and psychological adjustment to stress. Four types of relationships were investigated: positive religious coping with positive psychological adjustment, positive religious coping with negative psychological adjustment, negative religious coping with positive psychological adjustment, and negative religious coping with negative psychological adjustment. The results of the study generally supported the hypotheses that positive and negative forms of religious coping are related to positive and negative psychological adjustment to stress, respectively. Implications of the findings and their limitations are discussed.

Development and validation of the infertility self-efficacy scale

This study aimed to develop and validate a scale of perceived self-efficacy in people coping with infertility treatment. Self-efficacy is a psychological construct related to social learning theory that posits that an individual's perceived self-confidence to perform a certain behavior in a specific situation can mediate adaptive behaviors. For people choosing infertility treatment, self-efficacy related to various domains, such as managing the demand of treatment, or communicating with one's partner, provider, social network, has clinical and empirical relevance. Measurement development. Phase I included initial development and construct validity. Based on suggestions from the literature, professional experts, and focus groups with infertility patients, a 76-item pool was generated containing statements related to infertility treatment self-efficacy. The Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale (ISE) was subject to expert ratings by 8 reproductive health experts to assess the relative importance of each item for inclusion. Ninety-three individuals, who have experienced infertility treatment in the past two years, were administered the scale using a 1–9 Likert scale (not at all confident to extremely confident) along with three measures with related constructs to self-efficacy. Examples of ISE items include (I feel confidant I can…): Handle weight gain caused by hormonal treatments; Lessen anxiety about giving or receiving injections; Accept that our best efforts may not change my/our infertility; Stay in relationships with others who have infants or small children; Be romantic and intimate with my partner; Feel comfortable with my medical treatment plan. Phase 2 included concurrent validity and test/retest reliability. Fifty participants took the refined version ISE and were randomly assigned to either a concurrent validity group or concurrent validity/rest-retest reliability group. A final phase of confirmatory analyses and predictive validity will be assessed in a clinical field trial. Phase I participants were recruited from fertility clinics and infertility-related Internet portals, and included 76% women, 11% minorities, and 76% with primary- and 23% with secondary infertility. Similar profiles are targeted for remaining phases. An initial review of the repsonse distributions, content considerations, including expert ratings and commentary, and preliminary factor analyses suggested a 21-item scale comprising 5 factors for the ISE: self care (α=.87), affect regulation (α=.83), provider relationship (α=.76), treatment management (α=.76), and partner relationship (α=.73). The preliminary scale's internal consistency is excellent (Cronbach's α=.92). Construct validity is consistent and statistically significant. The psychosocial challenges associated with infertility treatment are unique to this medical problem and attending to these issues are relevant to optimizing patients' ability to manage the treatment experience. Existing mental health measures tend to be problem- or distress focused. In contrast, self-efficacy taps an individual's sense of confidence, or lack of, related to health promotion. As such, the ISE may be useful in clinical research and as a clinical tool to help guide patients in pro-actively managing their infertility experience.

The Reflexive Relationship between Consumer Behavior and Adaptive Coping

This article explores the reflexive nature of coping and consumer behavior in people who live for months or years with a heightened sense that they may die sometime in the near future. These themes were explored in the context of a diagnosis of breast cancer. The analysis shows that consumption plays a reflexive role in coping with this crisis and the uncertainty it brings. Various coping behaviors lead to consumption, but consumption can also lead to functional coping and act as a catalyst for forward thinking.