Research on emotional exhaustion (EE) among Lebanese registered nurses (RNs) during the COVID-19 pandemic is lacking, despite the extensive literature addressing EE within the healthcare workforce. This study explores the relationships between EE, self-confidence in learning (SCL), coping strategies, and perceived organizational support (POS). A cross-sectional study analyzed a convenience sample of 82 RNs in medium-to-large acute care settings providing direct COVID-19 patient care. Data were gathered through an online survey that measured sociodemographic, SCL, POS, coping strategies, and EE. Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multiple linear regression to identify EE predictors. Most participants were female (79.0%), married (56.1%), employed in the private sector (85.4%), and located in Beirut (63.4%). Bivariate analysis indicated that problem-focused coping (β = .32; p = .017) and dysfunctional coping (β = .38; p = .019) were positively associated with EE, while POS (β = -.21; p = .002) and marriage (β = .36; p = .040) were negatively related to EE. The final regression model explained 32% of variance in EE (p < .001), showing that POS (β = -.18; p = .007) and emotion-focused coping (β = -.74; p = .001) were associated with lower EE levels, while problem-focused coping (β = .60; p = .003) correlated with higher EE levels. POS and emotion-focused coping were protective factors against EE, while problem focus strategies increased EE levels. This highlights the need for enhanced organizational support and tailored coping interventions to mitigate burnout among nurses. Healthcare organizations should prioritize psychological support and resilience training to address EE among nurses. Policies should promote emotion-focused coping and reduce problem-focused coping strategies to enhance workforce well-being and retention.

Indonesian employees in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) often face psychological challenges after retirement due to strong emotional ties to their workplace. This study examined the effectiveness of coping strategy training in enhancing happiness among retired SOE personnel. Using a field-based randomized pretest-posttest design with a comparison group, 556 retirees were assigned to a training group (n = 278) or a comparison group (n = 278). The intervention integrated problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies, including laughter techniques and relaxation. Happiness was measured using the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire at pretest, posttest (1 month after the intervention), and follow-up assessments at 2 and 3 months, reflecting a longitudinal design to capture sustained effects. Mixed ANOVA results indicate a significant and sustained increase in happiness among participants who received the training. Qualitative findings showed improvements in emotional regulation, meaning-making, social connectedness, and engagement in daily activities, highlighting the potential of structured coping programs to support positive ageing.

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a prevalent psychological concern among cancer patients, negatively affecting their emotional well-being, treatment adherence, and overall quality of life. Psychological variables such as cognitive flexibility and coping strategies may play a significant role in the development and intensity of FCR. This study aimed to investigate the fear of cancer recurrence in cancer patients and assess its relationship with cognitive flexibility and coping strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 cancer patients with different cancer types and stages referred to five hospitals in Mashhad, Iran, from March to October 2024. Participants were included in the study through stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI), Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), and Brief COPE questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA-17, including multiple linear regression with bootstrapped estimates to assess relationships, controlling for age, sex, and education. Of the 300 invited patients, 275 completed the questionnaires (response rate: 93.3%). The mean FCR score was 103.72 ± 28.19, indicating a relatively high level of fear. Regression analysis revealed that the alternatives subscale of cognitive flexibility (i.e., the ability to consider alternative interpretations and solutions) was negatively associated with FCR (Coefficient: -0.904; CI95% [-1.618 to -0.191]; P-value: 0.013). Similarly, problem-focused coping strategies showed a significant inverse relationship (Coefficient: -0.909; CI95% [-1.583 to -0.235]; P-value: 0.008), whereas emotion-focused strategies were positively correlated with higher FCR (Coefficient: 1.75; CI95% [0.878 to 2.628]; P-value < 0.000). The Alternatives subscale of cognitive flexibility, as well as problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies, play independent and significant roles in modulating fear of recurrence among cancer patients. Interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive flexibility and promoting adaptive coping strategies may help reduce FCR and improve psychological well-being.

Rates of mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and their co-occurrence are higher among adults in the criminal justice system than in the general population. Much of the literature has focused on maladaptive coping strategies like substance use or illegal behaviors. Few studies have examined factors related to the utilization of positive, active forms of coping, which are essential during reentry. The current study is a secondary data analysis that examines predictors of problem-focused coping in a sample of incarcerated adults preparing for reentry with co-occurring disorders from 50 prisons across four states. Individuals with more positive perceptions of their general and emotional health, higher income, and stronger relationship depth were more likely to report problem-focused coping. Findings are contextualized within the wider reentry and behavioral health landscapes focusing on holistic programming that promotes effective coping strategies.

To determine the level of post-traumatic growth (PTG) and its association with coping strategies among individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). Patients aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of MDD who had received treatment for at least 1 year (to ensure adequate time for the development of PTG) and could understand Bahasa Malaysia were invited to participate. Lifetime exposure to potentially traumatic events was assessed using the Malay version of the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5. Coping strategies were assessed in three domains (problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, and avoidant coping) using the Malay version of the 28-item Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced. PTG was assessed in five domains (new possibilities, relating to others, personal strength, spiritual change, and appreciation of life) using the Malay version of the 10-item Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGI-SF). In total, 122 patients with MDD (mean age, 35.5 years) were included in the analysis. On average, participants reported lifetime exposure to 7.08 traumatic events. The mean PTGI-SF score was 32.65, indicating a moderate level of PTG. The PTGI-SF score was positively correlated with the problem-focused coping strategies of active coping, planning, and instrumental support, as well as the emotion-focused coping strategies of positive reframing, acceptance, religious coping, emotional support, and venting. In contrast, all avoidant coping strategies showed no significant correlations with the PTGI-SF score, except for behavioural disengagement and self-blame. In the final model of hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, problem-focused coping (β = 0.341, p = 0.002), emotion-focused coping (β = 0.234, p = 0.037), and age (β = 0.218, p = 0.005) remained significantly associated with PTG, explaining 36.6% of the variance. Trauma exposure, psychotherapy, and avoidant coping were no longer associated with PTG after adjustment for covariates. Among patients with MDD, PTG reflects adaptive cognitive and emotional processing rather than the absence of symptoms. Problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies were associated with higher levels of PTG.

BACKGROUND:Medical undergraduates experience high academic stress. Emotional intelligence (EI) is a protective skill against stress that influences coping strategies. However, there is a paucity of research on how EI is associated with coping strategies in Indian students. The study aimed to assess EI levels and coping strategies among medical students and evaluate the associations between EI components and coping styles.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with 178 MBBS students at a medical teaching institute in western Maharashtra. Convenience sampling was used, and the students volunteered to participate in the study. EI and its components were measured using the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test. Coping strategies were assessed using the Brief COPE Inventory, which measures 14 coping styles on a four-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation and multiple linear regression to determine independent associations after adjusting for demographic variables.RESULTS:The median EI score was 125, with the highest scores observed on the emotion utilization subscale. Problem-focused coping strategies, including active coping, planning, positive reframing, and acceptance, were the most commonly employed. Correlation analysis indicated significant positive relationships between EI and adaptive coping strategies. Multiple regression analysis showed that overall EI independently predicted a higher use of problem-focused coping, while the links with avoidant coping were not significant after adjustments. No significant sex differences in EI were found, although senior students had higher EI scores.CONCLUSION:EI appears to promote adaptive coping behaviors among medical students. Strengthening EI through structured educational interventions may enhance resilience and support student well-being.

Caregivers of frail elderly with mental illness undergo various practical problems, however, adaptive coping skills help to reduce perceived caregiver burden. This study aimed to identify the coping strategies and perceived burden among caregivers of frail elderly with mental disorders. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 129 conveniently selected caregivers of frail elderly with mental disorders at Patan Hospital. Data were collected using a face-to-face interview technique. The Nepali versions of Brief Cope (28 items) and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-22 items) were used to assess coping skills and burden respectively. Descriptive and statistical tests (Chi-square, Pearson’s correlation, and Logistic regression) were used to inferential analysis using SPSS version 16. Caregivers most commonly used problem-focused (29.19 ± 3.09; p = 0.112) and emotion-focused (33.16 ± 4.91; p = 0.057) coping strategies. Nearly half of the caregivers (48.1%) reported little/no burden, while 15.5% reported severe burden in terms of personal strain (35.96 ± 25.96) and role strain (30.13 ± 33.54). Gender (\U0001d44b2 = 6.630; p = 0.01), type of family (\U0001d44b2 = 8.420; p = 0.004) and employment status of caregivers (\U0001d44b2 = 4.069; p = 0.044) were significantly associated with the level of perceived burden. The study found no significant correlation between coping strategies and burden, however, the direction of correlation suggested an inverse correlation between problem-focused coping and burden (r = −0.141; p = 0.112). Effective coping strategies, especially problem-focused coping strategies, can help minimize caregiver burden. However, caregivers living in nuclear families are more likely to experience higher levels of burden. These findings highlights the need for targeted support and counseling services to assist caregivers and reduce their overall burden.

This study examines how Chinese newcomer mothers in Japan experience and manage educational anxieties during school choice. Drawing on Berry’s acculturation model and Lazarus and Folkman’s stress and coping theory, it examines how these mothers navigate tensions between Chinese meritocratic ideals and Japan’s balanced educational norms, amid institutional opacity and familial dynamics. Based on semi-structured interviews with 16 mothers, the findings reveal a cyclical school choice process characterised by reliance on information instability, and relations, generating anxieties across three domains: cultural adaptation, social interfaces, and family mediation. Mothers act as multi-role intermediaries, employing problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies shaped by education level, occupation, spousal nationality, and Japanese proficiency. The findings indicate that school-choice anxiety reshapes motherhood in cross-cultural contexts, calling for closer attention to cross-border dynamics of parentocracy in East Asia.

Welcome to the fifth edition of the Journal of Medical Education Research, an exciting collection that captures the vibrancy and complexity of contemporary medical education. In 2025, the medical education landscape can sometimes feel like a dystopian novel; dashboards, checklists, NSS scores and MLA outcomes crowd the horizon, while AI quietly grades OSCEs or delivers lectures. Yet for all our digital sophistication, no algorithm has successfully captured the true complexity of clinical practice, like the moment a doctor discovers that, despite completing seventeen mandatory e-learning modules, none of them covered how to make the printer work. Clearly, some competencies lie beyond the reach of modern pedagogy (although one hopes the next curriculum update might finally include 'Introduction to Hospital Printer Behaviour: A Survival Guide'). Research in medical education matters - it illuminates not only what we teach, but how knowledge, skills and values are translated into practice. Competent, reflective and ethically grounded physicians emerge not from metrics alone, but through thoughtful implementation, mentorship and lived experience. Burnout among medical students remains all too real. Gendered pressures, heavy workloads, and patchy support erode wellbeing, with consequences for learners and institutions alike. Recent studies in this edition confirm that female students experience higher stress in emotional and academic domains, while male students favour problem-focused coping strategies. Removing gender-specific biases, enhancing self-efficacy, expanding extracurricular opportunities and embedding mindfulness are not luxuries; they are essentials. Shakespeare reminds us, "When sorrows come, they come not single spies but in battalions" (Hamlet) and institutions must confront these battalions of stressors with mentorship, structured guidance and practical support. Transition into practice represents another critical hurdle. Surveys of PGY1 doctors in New Zealand reveal confidence in histories and communication, yet many report feeling underprepared to manage deteriorating patients, participate in resuscitation, or prescribe safely. This is hardly surprising; no simulation quite prepares you for the moment a senior doctor says "you're leading this one," with the same casual tone one might use when offering someone a cup of tea. Undergraduate curricula must mirror clinical realities; knowledge alone is insufficient. Implementation of research into supervision and structured mentorship, as exemplified by postgraduate doctors acting as clinical supervisors for foundation trainees, demonstrates how educational evidence can be translated into programmes that cultivate competence, confidence and resilience. Simulation and emerging technologies provide complementary tools, enhancing knowledge, attitudes and, in some cases, skills. Extended Reality and structured simulation allow learners to rehearse clinical scenarios safely, supporting the translation of theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. Yet education is moral work. As Kant might remind us, we do not merely transfer knowledge; we shape clinicians capable of judgment, empathy and ethical reasoning. Communication, compassion, and moral discernment cannot be coded into an algorithm. Inclusion and cultural competence remain ongoing challenges. While many medical curricula have incorporated teaching on race and ethnicity, research suggests that representation remains uneven - certain identity dimensions including sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBTQ+), disability and intersectional identities are less consistently covered. As a result, some students and patient groups continue to feel under‑represented and experience gaps in both teaching content and clinical education. To paraphrase George Orwell, the notion that 'all groups are equal, but some groups are more equal than others' can regrettably still ring true in medical education today. Students are not passive vessels waiting for us to pour wisdom into them. Their ability to choose, adapt and assemble their own learning ecosystems is what often makes the difference between surviving and actually thriving. Investigations into medical student resource use show that active engagement with digital platforms, physical notes and collaborative study correlates with perceived learning effectiveness. Programmes fostering urban health leadership and co-designed curricular innovation highlight how research, when implemented thoughtfully, shapes not only knowledge but professional identity, social responsibility and lifelong learning. Medicine and medical education are lifelong pursuits. Students must take responsibility for their own learning and educators remain perpetual students of pedagogy, whilst ensuring patients remain at the heart of everything we do. Amid the perpetual pressures, small miracles continue to occur - students learn things, patients generally improve thanks to our care and education cheerfully trundles along as if blissfully unaware of the surrounding chaos. We have a remarkable talent for making everything more complicated than it needs to be, yet the system still manages to function, powered not just by evidence, but by optimism, caffeine, and the collective willpower of those who suspect that "normal service" may be more a myth than reality. It is not perfection; it is medicine, which is infinitely more entertaining. I will leave you with this little limerick: There once was a student so brightWho studied long into the nightBut textbooks alone Their skills could not honeTo cure and to care with insight

This study aimed to explore blocked care (compassion fatigue and burnout) within secure and non-secure children's residential settings by examining how blocked care relates to therapeutic parenting (a sensitive parenting style that incorporates empathy) and how those employed to care for children in these settings typically cope with blocked care. Using a quantitative design, 73 adults completed three measures via Qualtrics assessing their compassion fatigue, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and empathy within the previous 30 days, and tendency to use problem-focused, emotion-focused, and/or avoidant coping strategies. Multiple regression analyses showed that burnout and secondary traumatic stress significantly predicted compassion fatigue (R2 = 0.208), and that burnout, compassion fatigue, and empathy significantly predicted secondary traumatic stress (R2 = 0.474). Empathy did not significantly predict compassion fatigue or burnout. Avoidant coping significantly predicted compassion fatigue (R2 = 0.108), burnout (R2 = 0.270), and secondary traumatic stress (R2 = 0.352), while emotion-focused coping also significantly predicted secondary traumatic stress (R2 = 0.352). Problem-focused coping did not significantly predict any outcome. This study contributes towards the limited literature on blocked care with consideration of the importance of understanding blocked care and secondary traumatic stress. It also suggests how blocked care and secondary traumatic stress could be managed. However, this study has several limitations, including the use of self-reported measures, which are discussed along with proposals for future research.

Limited research has examined accelerometer compliance from a family systems perspective, and no prior work specifically investigates how preschoolers' social-behavioral functioning relates to ActiGraph wear time. This study aimed to 1) examine the association between preschoolers' socio-behavioral health and caregiver-preschooler dyads' ActiGraph wear time, and 2) explore whether caregiver coping moderated these relationships. This secondary data analysis used cross-sectional data from 155 preschoolers (M age=46.87 months) and 141 caregivers (M age=31.57 years). Dyads wore an ActiGraph (wGT3X-BT) for seven days. Preschoolers' socio-behavioral health was assessed by the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales-Second Edition. Caregivers completed the Brief COPE to measure coping strategies. Linear mixed-effects models with restricted maximum likelihood estimation were conducted. Fewer preschooler problem behaviors were associated with greater accelerometer wear time among both preschoolers and caregivers. More preschoolers' internalizing problems were correlated with lower accelerometer wear time among both caregivers and preschoolers, especially when caregivers reported greater use of avoidant or emotion-focused coping and less problem-focused coping. In contrast, greater preschooler social skills were related to higher wear time for both caregivers and preschoolers, particularly when caregivers reported more avoidant or emotion-focused coping and fewer problem-focused coping strategies. Findings underscore the importance of caregiver coping styles in behavioral data collection with young children. Tailored interventions that support caregivers in using more effective coping strategies may improve accelerometer protocol compliance. The results may also shed light on how caregiver coping can be targeted to promote healthy behaviors such as physical activity and sleep within families.

This study was aimed at understanding the relationship between trait anxiety levels and coping strategies and social support in Turkish patients undergoing haemodialysis. The cross-sectional design was used in the study. The sample consisted of 462 patients undergoing haemodialysis selected through the convenience sampling method. The study data were collected from patients undergoing haemodialysis at seven private haemodialysis centres in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, between August 2019 and March 2020. Findings revealed that the level of trait anxiety in these patients fell within the low anxiety range but was close to the threshold for moderate anxiety, indicating that the participants' anxiety levels were on the higher end of the low range. Religion/spirituality, acceptance and positive reframing were the most frequently used problem-focused coping strategies, and self-distraction, venting and self-blame were the most frequently used emotion-focused coping strategies reported by the participants. Significant correlations were determined between the participants' trait anxiety levels, emotional and problem-focused coping strategies, social support levels. Social support systems patients undergoing haemodialysis have, and problem-focused coping strategies used by them affect their trait anxiety levels significantly. The social support systems of patients undergoing haemodialysis and their use of problem-focused coping strategies explained a significant portion of the variance in trait anxiety levels. The findings demonstrated that patients who more frequently employed problem-focused coping strategies reported lower levels of trait anxiety and perceived higher levels of social support. This study has the potential to develop effective interventions in clinical practice and at the societal level to improve the psychosocial well-being and quality of life of Turkish patients undergoing haemodialysis treatment by examining in depth the relationships between trait anxiety levels, coping strategies and social support levels. The study participants were individuals over 18 years of age who were Turkish patients undergoing haemodialysis treatment at the time of completing the questionnaire.

Aims: This study aimed to determine the levels of challenges, categorized as peer pressure, time management, parents’ expectations, and self-expectations, and the frequency of coping strategies employed by graduating college students from a higher-education institution in Misamis Occidental during the academic year 2024-2025. Study Design: This study utilized a quantitative research design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in one of the Higher Education Institutions in Misamis Occidental. Methodology: Because this study used a quantitative design, it systematically gathered, analyzed, and interpreted numerical data to describe the challenges graduating college students faced and the coping strategies they employed. Additionally, this study used a survey questionnaire to collect data from 70 graduating college students during the 2024-2025 academic year. The study employed a stratified random sampling technique with equal allocation. The population was stratified according to college affiliation to ensure balanced representation across academic units. A fixed number of ten graduating students per college was selected. Frequency and Percentage Distribution, Weighted Mean, T-test, One-way ANOVA, and Tukey's post hoc test were the statistical tools used in the study. Results: The study found that respondents experienced moderate challenges related to peer pressure, time management, parents’ high expectations, and self-expectations, suggesting that higher education institutions should provide targeted support programs to help students effectively cope with these challenges. Significant differences were observed in the challenges related to sex. To overcome these challenges, respondents sometimes employed both emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies. Additionally, no significant differences in the use of emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies were observed across respondents' demographic profiles. However, among the challenges faced by graduating college students, parents’ high expectations had the highest average, indicating that students felt the greatest pressure from their parents. Conclusion: Because parents’ high expectations emerged as a major challenge, the study highlights the importance of realistic parental expectations and the role of higher education institutions in strengthening student support systems. These measures may help mitigate student stress and foster healthier academic and relational outcomes.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is prevalent in adulthood, but there remains a dearth of studies identifying predictors of emergent MDD in adulthood with high-dimensional biopsychosocial predictor sets. Our study thus examined how explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) models might accurately detect predictors of emergent MDD nine years later. Community adults who did not meet diagnostic criteria for MDD at Wave 1 (W1; 2004–2006) participated in the current study (N = 931). Forty-six W1 validated composite variables, including inflammation, childhood maltreatment, coping, emotion regulation, personality, and social support, were used to predict emergent MDD at Wave 2 (W2; 2013–2014). Six machine-learning models, each with four varying configurations of predictor set length and missingness handling strategies, were tested using five-fold nested cross-validation to determine which model had the best multivariable predictive performance. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) analysis informed the sign and strength of each multivariable predictor. Elastic net regression achieved the best classification accuracy (AUC = 0.724; 95% confidence intervals = 0.657–0.792), with moderate sensitivity and a high negative predictive value in predicting W2 emergent MDD, observed in 6.23% of the sample. Moderate-to-good calibration values were also observed, highlighting acceptable alignment between predicted probabilities and observed prevalences. Key psychosocial correlates of higher W2 emergent MDD risk included greater perceived stress, early life minimization and stress, as well as family and spousal strain. Other key correlates included fewer problem-focused coping strategies, lower self-acceptance, sense of control, and self-directedness, as well as greater tendencies for behavioral disengagement. Demographic correlates included younger age and racial minority identity. Comorbid mental health symptoms, especially higher W1 generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and substance use disorder symptom severity, were also clinical correlates of greater W2 emergent MDD risk. XAI may inform clinically actionable distal risk modeling for emergent MDD using easily measurable, theory-driven variables. If externally validated, scalable multivariable predictive models could be integrated into healthcare systems to inform prevention strategies. These predictive models might inform tailored treatment strategies, including enhancing approach-focused coping, emotion regulation, and appraisals, as well as objective indicators of social support and stress. Not applicable.

Self-management skills can help patients with Parkinson's disease to adopt healthy behaviors and live well, thereby improving outcomes and reducing costs. Patients with parkinsonism and caregivers in this single-center study self-completed questionnaires including the Patient Activation Measure (PAM®) which quantifies self-management capability.Predictors of activation were determined using linear regression. 64% (279/438) of patients and 59% (189/323) of caregivers were categorized as the lowest two activation levels. Increasing patient age, frailty, non-motor and depressive symptoms, four or more comorbidities, and worse quality of life were associated with lower patient activation. Increased hours spent caring and use of emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies were associated with increased caregiver activation. There was moderate evidence that male caregivers had lower activation. Low activation levels were common among this more representative population of parkinsonism patients and caregivers. Proactive management of non-motor symptoms may improve activation and outcomes.

ABSTRACT Hemodialysis, the most commonly used treatment for chronic renal failure, negatively affects patients’ lives from psychological, social and economic aspects. If the stressors that occur due to hemodialysis treatment are perceived realistically by the patient using solution-focused counseling (SFC), if adequate and appropriate situational support is provided, and if effective coping mechanisms are available and activated, patients learn to live with the disease by restructuring their lives and they adapt to the illness. However, it is known that experimental studies using solution-focused counseling in chronic renal failure are insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of solution-focused counseling on coping competence and disease adaptation in patients with chronic renal failure. The research was conducted with 60 hemodialysis patients (30 experimental, 30 control) using a pretest-posttest randomized controlled experimental design. Following the implementation of the Solution-Focused Counseling program, participants in the experimental group demonstrated higher levels of coping competence compared to the control group, with increased use of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. In contrast, participants in the control group showed a progressive increase in the use of dysfunctional and problem-focused coping strategies over time. The findings indicate that Solution-Focused Counseling significantly enhanced coping competence and adaptive coping strategies in the experimental group, although it did not produce measurable improvements in physiological or illness adaptation outcomes.

University students commonly experience high levels of stress, which negatively impact on academic performance, engagement, and well-being. Coping strategies can be employed to manage stress, but there have not been extensive examinations of student motivations for selecting coping strategies and how selection of strategies changes during a semester. This study explored sources of stress and coping strategies used by first-year undergraduate students across a semester. It examined reasons for strategy selection and the relationships between coping strategies, academic engagement, and performance. Participants were 203 consenting first-year undergraduate sport science students in Australia. Students responded to open-ended questions at the beginning and end of semester, and responses were subjected to thematic analysis. Frequencies of responses were correlated with measures of engagement and academic performance. The primary sources of stress were academic pressures, alongside social, financial, and personal challenges. At the beginning of semester, students predominantly intended to employ problem-focused coping strategies, such as time management and study techniques. However, by the semester's end, students more frequently reported using strategies such as exercise, balancing work and life, meditation, and yoga. Students' reported reasons for strategy use indicated that coping mechanisms served dual functions, both alleviating emotional distress and supporting study effectiveness, regardless of whether traditionally classified as problem- or emotion-focused. Employing more coping strategies positively correlated with higher academic performance. These findings suggest that encouraging a diverse range of adaptive coping strategies, while considering students' motivations for strategy selection, can support students' academic success and well-being.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to examine students' motivations for choosing coping strategies across a semester, revealing that strategies traditionally labeled "problem-focused" or "emotion-focused" often serve dual purposes: enhancing both well-being and academic productivity. Coping strategy use shifted markedly over time, with exercise emerging as the most relied-upon approach. Notably, using a greater number of coping strategies, rather than any specific strategy, positively correlated with higher academic performance.

Background/Objective: Informal caregiving for individuals with severe mental disorders (SMDs) often leads to significant psychological distress. However, the specific coping strategies that determine mental health outcomes among siblings remain poorly understood. This study aimed to analyze the predictive capacity of various coping strategies regarding health, perceived stress, self-esteem, and caregiving experience for siblings. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of siblings of patients with SMDs (N = 60) from mental health service. Self-report measures were used to assess perceived health, perceived stress, self-esteem, coping strategies, and caregiving experience. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed for each dependent variable, controlling for collinearity. Results: The siblings reported a higher mean use of problem-focused coping strategies compared to emotion-focused coping strategies. Regression models were statistically significant for all analyzed variables, except for somatic symptoms. Emotion-focused maladaptive coping (EFMC) strategies emerged as the most consistent and powerful predictor, showing a significant association with positive caregiving appraisal (β = 0.657), depression (β = 0.500), poor health (β = 0.453), negative stress (β = 0.449), social dysfunction (β = 0.429), self-esteem (β = -0.390), and anxiety (β = 0.368). In contrast, problem-focused strategies were largely non-significant, except for an association with positive and negative aspects of caregiving (βPFMC = 0.509, βPFMC = 0.312, respectively), and positive stress (βPFAC = -0.272). Conclusions: These results suggest that while siblings of people with SMDs report a greater use of problem-focused coping strategies, the adoption of EFMC strategies is the most detrimental factor observed, given their negative influence on mental health, self-esteem, and caregiving experience.

This study focused on stress coping strategies used by non-special education teachers in teaching children with special needs in regular schools. This study used a qualitative method with an interpretative phenomenology technique to collect data through semistructured interviews with non-special education teachers who have experience teaching children with disabilities. The results of this study show that teachers experience various forms of emotional and pedagogical stress, especially related to children’s aggressions and tantrum behavior, communication limitations and lack of cooperation with parents of children with disabilities. In dealing with these conditions, teacher apply a combination of emotion-focused coping and problem-focused coping strategies, such an emotion management, self acceptance, adjusting learning strategies, individualized approaches and others. However, the application of coping strategies faces issues such as challenge in collaboration with parents and limited teacher knowledge.

Abstract This empirical research investigates the intricate relationship between chronological age, perceived techno-complexity, and adaptive coping mechanisms among the female professional workforce in the primary industrial hubs of Pune. As digital transformation accelerates within the IT and manufacturing sectors, technostress has emerged as a critical impediment to organizational well-being. Utilizing a cross-sectional quantitative design, data were collected from 314 female respondents across four age-stratified cohorts. The primary objective was to determine if age acts as a significant moderating variable in how digital strain is experienced and mitigated. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson Correlation and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to test the hypothesized links between technological immersion and psychological outcomes. The findings indicate a statistically significant positive correlation between age and perceived techno-complexity, suggesting that senior professionals face a steeper cognitive load during software transitions. However, a paradoxical result emerged regarding resilience; older cohorts demonstrated a significantly higher reliance on problem-focused coping strategies compared to younger professionals. Specifically, while early-career workers possess higher technical fluency, they lack the systematic troubleshooting methodologies cultivated by senior talent. Advanced diagnostics, including a Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Scheffé Post-hoc tests, confirmed that the disparity in coping efficacy between the youngest and oldest demographics is substantial. These results challenge the prevailing narrative of digital native superiority and highlight the value of inter-generational knowledge sharing. The study concludes that human resource departments in Pune must move beyond generic training toward age-responsive digital wellness programs that reduce the fear of technical error while leveraging the experiential wisdom of senior employees. Strategic recommendations include the implementation of digital resilience circles and formal right-to-disconnect policies to sustain long-term productivity and prevent professional burnout in India’s growing technology capital. Keywords: Technostress; Age-Stratification; Coping Modalities; Female Workforce; Pune IT Sector; Organizational Resilience; Digital Transformation.