Problem-focused Coping Strategies Research Articles

Caregiver coping mediates the relationship between caregivers' understanding of dementia as terminal and their distress.

We assessed which coping strategies (problem-focused, emotion-focused, dysfunctional) mediate the association between caregivers' understanding of dementia as terminal and their distress. A total of 215 caregivers of community-dwelling persons with severe dementia were surveyed every 4 months over 3 years. A generalized structural equation model was used to test mediation. Caregivers who correctly understood dementia as terminal and those unsure (vs incorrect), experienced more distress (correct: β [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 0.80 [0.00 to 1.60]; unsure: 0.95 [0.04 to 1.87]). Caregivers with correct understanding of dementia as terminal (vs incorrect) employed more dysfunctional (2.01 [0.60 to 3.42]) and problem-focused coping strategies (2.56 [0.08 to 5.05]). Although dysfunctional and problem-focused coping (associated with higher distress) mediated the positive association between caregivers' understanding that dementia is terminal and their distress, emotion-focused coping (associated with lower distress) did not offset this relationship. Results suggest that terminal illness disclosure to caregivers should be accompanied by interventions to promote emotion-focused coping strategies. Highlights Caregivers who understood dementia as terminal experienced more distress. Dysfunctional and problem-focused coping mediated the positive relationship between terminal illness understanding and caregiver distress. Emotion-focused coping did not offset this relationship.

Examining Coping Strategies and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence for the Protective Role of Problem-Focused Coping.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, studies documented a marked decline in mental health and well-being when compared with prepandemic levels. This study examined how different coping styles were associated with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems among U.S. adults March-April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from 535 U.S. adults across three time points were analyzed using longitudinal multilevel logistic and linear regression modeling. Avoidant-emotional coping was associated with greater odds of experiencing anxiety (OR = 1.65, p < .001). Both avoidant- and active-emotional coping were associated with greater odds of experiencing depression (OR = 1.67, p < .001, and OR = 1.09, p = .022, respectively) and sleep problems (b = 0.05, p < .001, and b = 0.01, p = .005, respectively). Alternatively, problem-focused coping was associated with lower odds of depression (OR = 0.86, p < .001). Results converge with previous evidence suggesting the perniciousness of avoidant-emotional coping during the pandemic, but also underscore that problem-focused coping strategies may represent one important source of resilience for adults to adapt despite such challenges.

Supporting grieving students amidst COVID-19: Emotion- and problem-focused coping strategies of teachers who supported grieving children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Supporting grieving students amidst COVID-19: Emotion- and problem-focused coping strategies of teachers who supported grieving children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies among Graduate University Students: Role of Gender

This study intended to explore the disparity in male and female approach to recognize perceived stress and coping strategies among first year university students. The data was collected from N=425 students (Male n= 301 &amp; Female n= 124) aged between 20-23 years. All students belonged to a public sector university situated in the city of DERA GHAZI KHAN, Pakistan. Purposive convenient sampling technique was used to collect data. The data was collected through Perceived Stress Scale and Coping Resource Inventory. The findings showed that there were variations in the perceived stress and coping styles of males and females. Female graduate students reported high perceived stress as compared to male students and male students often used problem focused coping strategies whereas the female students on the contrary used more emotional focused coping strategies. Results pertaining to effect of perceived stress on the use of coping strategies declared that the effect of stress on coping strategies is different among male and female first year university students. The results of the study highlight the importance of providing trainings to first year graduate students on using effective coping strategies to deal with their high level of perceived stress.

Coping in Women With Breast Cancer Awaiting a Surgical Intervention: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Breast cancer affects a woman’s body and mind in complex ways and is more than just a physical condition that requires medical treatment. Objective: To investigate how women with breast cancer undergoing surgical treatment cope with and adjust to the disease. Methods: A cross-sectional study between April 12 and July 22, 2022. This study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Results: A total of 125 women participated (median age 52). Most (64.8%) responded rationally, 25.4% emotionally, and 9.8% nonprevailing. About 76.2% used problem-focused coping. Women living with others had better adaptation than those alone. Emotional appraisal increased the likelihood of poor adaptation compared to rational appraisal. Nonprevailing coping was linked to a 6-fold increase in psychosocial maladjustment (OR, 5.88; 95% CI,1.14-30.30). Conclusions: The study indicates that women with breast cancer tend to adopt problem-focused coping strategies, with rational responses correlating with better psychological adaptation outcomes, while emotional or nonprevailing responses may lead to poorer adjustment. Implications for Practice: Coping strategies should be shared by oncology nurses with targeted women, especially if their potential for postdiagnosis positive psychological change is considered. What is Foundational: Women diagnosed with breast cancer eligible for surgical treatment may undergo a positive psychological transformation, as the majority exhibit a problem-focused, rational approach to the disease.

The mediating role of emotional intelligence on nursing students' coping strategies and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anxiety among nursing students documented during the COVID-19 pandemic reflected their fear of contracting infections, adhering to the mandatory use of masks in public, engaging in the new experience of distance learning, having financial problems, and so on. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating role of emotional intelligence (EI) on nursing students' coping strategies and anxiety during the pandemic. This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in a university in Jordan. An online survey was used to obtain data from a sample of 282 nursing students who had returned to on-campus learning during the summer semester of 2019/2020. The survey held four parts: (a) questions about sociodemographics, (b) the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale, (c) the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF), and (d) the Brief-Coping Behavior Questionnaire (Brief-COPE). The results showed that EI had a fully mediating role in the relationship between problem-focused coping strategies and anxiety, and it partially mediated the emotion-focused and avoidant/dysfunctional coping strategies and anxiety relationships. Nursing students who used the problem-focused coping strategies had high levels of EI, and with increasing levels of EI, anxiety levels decreased. Promoting the development of EI among nursing students would enable them to manage their emotions effectively and control their anxiety, particularly in new circumstances such as those that occurred during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Bullying against Healthcare Professionals and Coping Strategies: A Scoping Review.

Violence against healthcare professionals is an event that further burdens the daily lives of those who try every day to care for and assist those who need it most. In an attempt to overcome these events, there are coping strategies that can be used to reduce the stress caused. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the phenomenon of violence against healthcare professionals and the relationship between the bullying suffered by these professionals and the coping strategies they developed to overcome these moments. To this end, a scoping review was conducted in which eight articles were selected for final analysis from a total of 276 articles found in three electronic databases (EBSCO, PubMed, and Web of Science). This review concludes that the most common workplace bullying behaviours include excessive workloads, humiliation and ridicule, impossible deadlines, and verbal attacks. Professionals reported negative impacts, such as helplessness, depression, stress, insomnia, and the desire to change jobs. Victims of workplace bullying often expressed their intention to leave their current job or even abandon the profession. Problem-focused coping strategies are the most used. The studies indicated that workplace bullying negatively affects professionals in physical and mental terms, as well as in terms of quality of life at work, requiring more research and adoption of preventive measures to identify and combat the problem.

Gender differences in predictors of quality of life for parents of children with Autism Spectrum disorder in Saudi Arabia

PurposeFew researchers have examined gender differences in the quality of life (QoL) of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in diverse cultural contexts. The purpose of this study was to identify how ASD severity, affiliate stigma, perceived social support, family functioning, and coping strategies differentially predict the QoL of mothers and fathers of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia. Design and methodsBased on a cross-sectional research design, data were gathered between April and July 2023 from a convenience sample of 376 parents (220 mothers and 156 fathers) of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia. Welch's t-test and regression were used to achieve the study purpose. ResultsMothers of children with ASD reported lower QoL, perceived social support, and family functioning than fathers. Mothers relied on emotion-focused coping strategies, whereas fathers used problem-focused coping strategies. Furthermore, affiliate stigma, perceived social support, and family functioning significantly predicted the QoL of mothers and fathers of children with ASD. However, the severity of ASD affected only the QoL of the mothers. Problem-focused coping significantly predicted fathers' QoL but not mothers' QoL. ConclusionsThe results highlight gender differences in the factors that predict the QoL of parents of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia. Practice implicationsHealthcare professionals should consider parents' gender when providing support and interventions to improve parental QoL.

Exploring coping strategies among caregivers of children who have survived paediatric cancer in Jordan

ObjectiveTo explore the coping strategies of caregivers of children who have survived paediatric cancer in Jordan.Materials and methodsThis study used a cross-sectional survey design and convenient sampling. The sample included...

Experiences of Patients with Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: A Mixed-Methods Study of the Insider’s Perspective

ObjectiveUnilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) is often characterized by severe dysphonia and has a significant impact on a patient’s communication in daily and vocational situations. Having a better understanding of how UVFP influences quality of life and patient experiences can help improve patient-centered care in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of patients with UVFP. MethodsTwenty-five adults with UVFP (age range: 39 – 84 years) participated in the study. Quantitative data were collected from 22 participants, using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI), and Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI). Qualitative data were collected from 25 individual semi-structured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed with the software program NVivo. The interviews were coded using an inductive thematic approach. ResultsQuantitative results showed a mean DSI of -1.6, mean AVQI of 3.80, and mean VHI of 45.8 in the participant group. A statistically significant, moderate (positive) correlation was found between VHI and time after onset (in years). From the qualitative analysis of the interviews, four main themes were identified: emotional impact, psychosocial impact, physical complaints, and coping strategies. Voice problems caused by UVFP generally had a negative impact on patients’ emotional and psychological well-being, with considerable effects on participation, self-identity, and professional activity. Participants demonstrated a combination of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies to accommodate to these issues. Half of the participant group also showed avoidance as a coping style. VHI scores were significantly higher in participants who reported experiencing current emotional and participation problems due to UVFP, and who had not yet accepted their new voice. ConclusionThe themes from this study emphasize the importance of focused anamnesis and emotive counseling in practice, with specific attention to the psychosocial and emotional impact of UVFP. Data Availability StatementData is available from the authors upon request due to privacy reasons.

Australian university student coping profiles and psychosocial distress: a latent profile analysis

ABSTRACT Compared to the general population, university students experience unique demands and stressors that impact psychosocial distress. High levels of psychosocial distress can affect students academically, socially, and professionally. Strategies students use to cope with stress on their own, particularly problem- and emotion-focused strategies, can decrease distress levels. While individual coping strategies can lower distress, it remains unclear which strategies are most effective among students and whether distinct profiles of strategies and their effectiveness exist. This study aimed to explore how Australian university students use individual coping strategies to manage stress using Latent Profile Analysis. 376 students completed an online survey of coping strategies, psychosocial distress, and general wellbeing, between November and December 2022 (Mean age = 25.76; 68.62% female). Psychosocial distress levels were characterised by anxiety, depression, perceived stress, social isolation, and emotional support. Four coping profiles were extracted: no effective/no coping, problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, and emotion-focused religion-dominant coping. Students endorsing problem-focused coping had significantly lower levels of psychosocial distress compared to the no effective/no coping and emotion-focused religion-dominant coping profiles, but showed no difference compared to emotion-focused coping. The no effective/no coping profile was associated with the highest levels of psychosocial distress. This underscores the importance of supporting students to endorse primarily problem-focused coping strategies, as well as emotion-focused coping strategies and educating students on how to effectively employ strategies, especially those not endorsing any effective strategies. These results may inform university support services and training for educators working directly with students on how to educate students about coping with stress.

Stress and Coping Strategies in Malay Parents of Children with Cleft Lip and/or Palate.

This study was aimed at describing the level of stress and types of coping strategies used among Malay parents of children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P). Cross-sectional study. A dental clinic and a general hospital. Parents (N = 84) whose children were less than 12 years old with CL/P. Socio-demographic data and clinical characteristics of CL/P were collected. Self-administered validated Malay versions of the stress scale from the Depressive, Anxiety and Stress Scale-42 (DASS-42) and COPE Inventory questionnaires were used. Descriptive statistics and Multivariate Analysis of Covariance were used for data analysis. The prevalence of stress among parents of children with CL/P was 21.4% [95% confidence interval (12.4, 30.4)]. The most common coping strategies were problem-focused (mean 58.15, standard deviation (SD) 7.75), followed by emotion-focused (mean 54.05, SD 4.78). The adjusted mean score for overall coping strategies was significantly different between stressed and non-stressed parents after adjustment for education, number of children, sex of child with CL/P, and cleft type [F (df) = 4.174 (3,74), P = .009]. There was a significant mean difference between stressed and non-stressed parents for avoidant coping strategies [P = .003]. Problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies did not differ after Bonferroni correction. Around a fifth of parents caring for children with CL/P experienced stress and avoidant coping strategies were more common among stressed parents. Multi-disciplinary team care should provide social support to parents of children with CL/P.

Analysis of Experiences and Coping Strategies of Pregnant Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum in Purwakarta Regency, Indonesia

Introduction: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a pregnancy complication characterized by excessive nausea and vomiting. HG can cause dehydration, malnutrition, and other serious complications. In Indonesia, data regarding the experiences and coping strategies of pregnant women with HG is still limited.&#x0D; Methods: This research uses a qualitative design with a phenomenological approach. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 10 pregnant women who experienced HG in Purwakarta Regency. Data were analyzed using qualitative data analysis methods.&#x0D; Results: The research results show that pregnant women with HG experience various kinds of physical and emotional symptoms. The most common physical symptoms are nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and dizziness. The most common emotional symptoms are anxiety, depression, and stress. Pregnant women use various coping strategies to deal with HG. The most common coping strategies are problem-focused coping strategies, such as seeking information about HG, consulting a doctor, and trying home remedies. Other coping strategies used are coping strategies that focus on emotions, such as seeking social support and relaxation.&#x0D; Conclusion: This research shows that pregnant women with HG experience a variety of physical and emotional symptoms. Effective coping strategies can help pregnant women to overcome HG and improve their quality of life.

N38 Male patients with Crohn's Disease and perianal fistulae and their experience of sexuality and dialogue with healthcare professionals about their sexuality - a qualitative interview study

Abstract Background The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased significantly over the last 30 years. IBD most often debuts in young adulthood and can have an impact on the patient's body image, intimate relationships and sexual function. The aim of this study was to explore how male patients with Crohn's disease and perianal fistulae, experience how their disease affects their sexuality, and how they experience the dialogue with healthcare professionals about sexuality and their related challenges. Methods A qualitative study based on a phenomenological hermeneutic approach was applied. Six male participants with Crohn's disease and perianal fistulae were recruited from an outpatient clinic at a regional hospital, Lillebaelt hospital, Vejle and Kolding. Data were collected via semi-structured telephone interviews. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis as described by Graneheim and Lundman. The analysis encompassed both a manifest and a latent level. Results The analysis led to the development of five themes: 1) The disease and sexuality. Flare-ups in the participants Crohn's disease posed an obstacle to intimacy, negatively affecting their sexlife during flare-ups. The participants used problem-focused and emotional coping strategies to overcome these limitations in their relationships, regarding intimacy and sex. 2) The phases of life - importance for sexuality. Sexuality was affected at different stages in life, independent of the participants' Crohn's disease. The balance with family, relationships, small children and work life, also had an impact on the participants desire for sex and intimacy with their partner and vice versa. 3) The importance of fistulas for sexlife. Acitive fistuala negatively affected the participants' sexuality. Their masculinity was affected by erectile dysfunction, which was a common complication to surgery. 4) Sexuality - an omitted topic in healthcare dialogue. Sexuality was often an omitted topic in the healthcare dialogue, even though the topic was important to the participants. 5) Is sex taboo? Sexuality was a topic the participants considered to be impacted by taboo, which encompassed both the participants and the health care professionals. Conclusion In patients with Crohn's disease and fistulae, sexuality must be seen in a bio-psycho-social perspective. Gender roles and coping strategies are important topics to include in the health care professionals dialogue with these patients.

Coping with Thesis Writing: An Analysis of Stress Management Techniques in Higher Education

This research explores the relationship between Problem-Focused Coping and Academic Stress among students at Satya Wacana Christian University. In an academic environment where students face immense pressure, particularly during the thesis-writing phase, understanding how coping strategies impact stress levels is crucial. The study involves 145 students, predominantly female, from different faculties, who were surveyed using the Academic Stress Scale and Problem-Focused Coping Scale. The research adopts a quantitative approach with a correlational design to analyze the relationship between coping mechanisms and stress levels. Key findings indicate a diverse range of coping capabilities among students, with a majority scoring medium on the Problem-Focused Coping scale. However, a significant minority demonstrates high coping abilities, suggesting variable stress management skills as per Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional model. Alarmingly, 63% of the participants scored high in the Academic Stress category, underlining the prevalent stress challenges faced by students. Statistical analysis reveals a non-normal distribution of both coping and stress levels, hinting at unique stressors in the university environment. A significant negative correlation between Problem-Focused Coping and Academic Stress, as shown by Spearman’s rho results, supports the hypothesis that effective coping strategies can alleviate stress. The study contributes to the existing literature on stress management in academic settings by highlighting the protective role of Problem-Focused Coping against Academic Stress. It underscores the importance of developing robust coping strategies to aid students in managing academic pressures, particularly during critical phases like thesis writing. The findings also suggest the potential for interventions to enhance Problem-Focused Coping strategies, thereby supporting student well-being and academic success.

Depression, Stress, Anxiety, and Family Burden in Caregivers of Patients with Preexisting Severe Mental Illness and Their Coping Strategies during Omicron Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic

Background and Aims: There is limited research on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on caregivers of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) during its late phase when sufficient and widespread knowledge about management and preventive aspects existed. We aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on caregivers of patients with SMI during Omicron wave. Methodology: We assessed 100 caregivers of patients with preexisting SMI diagnosed on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5, 50 each of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) from December 14, 2021, to February 9, 2022. We assessed symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and family burden in caregivers and their coping strategies by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 Hindi version, Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS), and Brief-Coping Orientation to Problem Experienced, respectively. Results: Caregivers of SMI experienced symptoms of depression (51%), anxiety (72%), and stress (13%), with significantly more symptoms of depression (P = 0.002) and anxiety (P = 0.025) in caregivers of SCZ. High caregiver burden (score: 25.76, &gt; half of the total score on FBIS) was found with no significant difference in the two groups. Caregivers of SCZ used a greater number of emotion-focused coping strategies, whereas those with BD used more problem-focused coping, but the difference was not significant. A significant association was seen between coping strategies of substance use and depressed symptoms (P = 0.003), substance use and anxiety symptoms (P = 0.007); anxiety symptoms with denial (P = 0.001) anxiety symptoms and venting (P = 0.008) in caregivers of BD. Conclusion: Caregivers of patients with preexisting SMI experienced depression, anxiety, and high family burden during Omicron wave. They used both emotion- and problem-focused coping strategies.

Coping Strategies Used by Sexually Abused Women During Covid 19 Pandemic: Insights from a Certain Health Institution in Harare

The research sought to explore the coping strategies used by female survivors of sexual abuse in Harare during the Covid 19 pandemic. A phenomenological design which was premised under the qualitative research paradigm was used in this study, and a sample consisting of seven women who were sexually abused were selected. In-depth interviews were used to gather information on the coping strategies used by female survivors of sexual abuse. Research data was then presented and analyzed thematically. Findings of the research depicted the three main categories which were physically- focused, emotionally- focused and economically focused coping strategies. Survivors used problem-focused coping strategies to deal with physical challenges which included seeking medical attention. Emotion-focused coping strategies involved seeking psychological help and spiritual intervention.

Virtual Reality Supported Intervention Program for Trauma Symptoms of Individuals Who Experienced an Earthquake: An Effectiveness Study.

This study aimed to develop an effective virtual reality (VR)-based intervention program to improve trauma symptoms of survivors of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake. In line with this aim, the sample of the study consisted of 34 earthquake survivors aged 15-72 years (mean: 38.09, standard deviation (SD): 15.09) who were directly affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquake on February 6, 2023. A five-stage intervention program (normalization, reinterpretation, creating a safe place, developing problem-focused coping strategies, and social support) was applied to 17 participants (mean: 36.88, SD: 13.65), who constituted the intervention group, using VR technology. All participants assigned to the intervention group received the intervention, which included normalization, reinterpreting the earthquake, creating a safe place, problem-focused coping, and increasing social support, one time in a standardized manner. In the stages of reinterpretation, creating a safe place and problem-focused coping VR technology was used and, the stages of normalization and increasing social support were carried out with psychotherapeutic work involving one-to-one interaction between the researcher and the participant. The five-stage intervention program started to be implemented 51 days after the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and all stages of the intervention were completed within seven days. Measurements were taken from the participants at two different times: pre-intervention pre-test and post-intervention post-test. The 17 participants in the control group (mean: 39.29, SD: 16.75) were placed on a waiting list. Data were collected using the "Sociodemographic Information Form", "Posttraumatic Growth Inventory", "Scale for Determining the Level of Post-Earthquake Trauma" and "Ways of Coping Scale". Before the intervention, the groups were controlled in terms of posttraumatic growth, post-earthquake trauma level, fatalistic coping, social support-seeking coping, and helplessness style coping levels and no difference was observed between them (p>0.05). After the intervention, it was found that the posttraumatic growth and social support-seeking coping scores of the earthquake survivors who received VR-supported intervention were significantly higher than the scores of the control group, and the post-earthquake trauma level, fatalistic coping and helplessness style coping scores were significantly lower than the control group scores (p<0.05). As a result of the in-group analyses, it is seen that the post-traumatic growth, social support-seeking coping and problem-focused coping scores of the intervention group participants after the VR-supported intervention increased statistically significantly compared to the pre-intervention, while the post-earthquake trauma level, fatalistic coping and helplessness style coping scores decreased statistically significantly compared to the pre-intervention (p<0.05). However, it is seen that the scores of the control group participants from all other scales of the Ways of Coping Scale, except for the fatalistic coping subscale, did not change statistically significantly (p>0.05). As a result of the analysis, it is seen that the VR-supported intervention program developed is effective in improving the trauma symptoms of earthquake survivors. The rapid and statistically significant reduction in the trauma levels of earthquake survivors as a result of the developed intervention shows that the relevant intervention can be applied in other trauma areas and suggested for further studies.

The Role of Emotion Regulation and Teacher and School-Based Practices on Teacher-Student Relationships

This study examined teacher and school-based factors that support teacher-student relationships. This study addresses the problems associated with the development of positive teacher-student relationships in the PK-12 school systems, which is particularly important given the significant role that teacher-student relationships play regarding student engagement and success. Through a mixed methods triangulation design-convergence model, the researchers used Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and open-ended survey questions and interviews. Ninety PK-12 teachers in the United States completed an emotion regulation and teacher-student relationship survey. Associations were explored between teachers’ grade level taught, years of teaching experience, age, emotion regulation and perceived relationships with students. Four teachers volunteered to engage in an interview. In the final model, teachers’ grade level taught, years of teaching (inverse), emotion regulation expressive suppression, and closeness to students (inverse) accounted for 32.4% variance in their relationship conflict with students. In the final model, teachers’ grade level taught (inverse) and emotion regulation expressive suppression (inverse) accounted for 29.5% variance in their relationship closeness with students. Emotion-focused coping strategies are discussed in line with these results. Additionally, open-ended survey responses and interviews revealed the importance of problem-focused coping strategies. Implications for teacher and school-based practices are discussed.

Identifying Stroke Caregivers’ Coping Strategies: The Smile that has Struggled through the Tears-A Mixed-Method Research Approach

Background: Sudden stroke had caused the caregivers minimal time to prepare for their role as carers. Some stroke caregivers were overwhelmed to adjust and accept new responsibilities. They need to reorganise their functions and establish new daily life routines in response to the chronic illness that happens with stroke survivors.&#x0D; Objective: This study aimed to determine and explore coping strategies employed by stroke caregivers.&#x0D; Methods: This mixed-method study involved 32 stroke caregivers from a community-based stroke rehabilitation centre in Kuching, Sarawak. Results: From quantitative analysis, most stroke caregivers employed problem-focused coping strategies (mean=56.66, SD=10.79), followed by emotion-focused coping strategies (mean=55.63, SD=10.29) in confronting the challenges of caring for stroke survivors. Data from qualitative findings revealed eight themes of coping strategies: adjustment to daily life, selfmotivation, sharing with other people, acceptance, avoiding thinking about the problem, hoping stroke survivors will get better, emotion suppression and self-blame.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study’s outcomes provide crucial information about the burdens held by stroke caregivers when taking care of stroke survivors. Stroke caregivers need to adapt better and suitable coping strategies. This will prevent them from becoming overwhelmed by the accumulated stress from caring burdens. The long-term effect of coping strategies should positively assist stroke caregivers in managing the burdens effectively and fostering satisfaction in their life.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 23 No. 01 January’24 Page : 130-140