Problem-focused Strategies Research Articles

Prevalence of Stress, Sources and Coping Strategies among Nursing and Midwifery Students in Three Nursing Training Schools in the Buea Municipality, Cameroon

Background: Stress is a common human experience blamed for many ills. Nursing students experience high levels of stress and recent research on health care related fields and stress has indicated that nursing students experience higher levels of stress compared to students in the other health disciplines.Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of stress, identify its sources and coping strategies amongst nursing and midwifery students from three nursing training schools in the Buea Municipality.Methods: A quantitative cross sectional study design was used to conduct the study for 6 months. The study population consisted of nursing and midwifery students from the Faculty of Health Sciences University of Buea, Biaka University Institute and Redemption Higher Institute of Biomedical and Management Sciences in the Buea Municipality. Purposive and a simple random sampling techniques were used to select the three nursing training schools and the participants respectively. The participants were undergraduate student nurses and midwives who had had previous clinical experience. Probability proportionate to size sample technique was used to determine the number of participants from each school. Data was collected from the participants regarding their stress levels, sources of stress, and the strategies they used to cope with stress. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Data collected was entered in to an excel spreadsheet version 2010 and analysed using SPSS Version 25. Inferential statistics was also used to describe association between variables (multivariate analysis and Pearson’s correlation); a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: A total of 342 nursing and midwifery students participated in the study. The findings revealed a very high prevalence [223 (65.2%)] of stress among participants. Age 32 years+, marital status and level of studies (3rd & 4th year) were significantly associated with stress with p values of 0.021, 0.022 and 0.001 respectively. The main sources of stress among students were from school work, from peers and personal life with mean values 2.13, and 1.96 respectively. Majority [201(58.8%)] of the students relied on problem-focused strategies as means to cope with stress, followed by the emotional-focused strategies [81(23.7%)].Conclusion: The prevalence of stress among student nurses and midwives in the Buea Municipality was very high with the main sources of stress being school work, stress from peer and personal life. It is recommended that guidance counseling services be provided in all nursing training institutions and students be encouraged to ultilise the services in order to reduce the prevalence of stress.

Level of Coping Mechanisms of Parents of Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stands as a formidable neurodevelopmental challenge, exerting profound impacts on a child’s academic, social, and familial spheres. Parents of children grappling with ADHD find themselves immersed in a multifaceted struggle, not only contending with the day-to-day management of their child’s symptoms but also grappling with societal preconceptions surrounding the disorder. Thus, this study aimed to determine the level of coping mechanisms of parents of children with ADHD in private schools in a highly urbanized city in Central Philippines for the School Year 2023-2024. This study used a descriptive research design. This study used the validated and trial-tested self-made questionnaire to gather data from the thirty-three parents of children with ADHD. The instrument yielded a validity index of 4.51 and a reliability index of 0.845. The coping mechanisms covered three areas: Emotion-focused, problem-focused, and avoidance-focused strategies. Overall, the level of coping mechanisms of parents was high. Subsequent analysis indicated no significant difference in the level of coping mechanisms of parents of children with ADHD. The study underscores the importance of comprehensive support programs for parents of children with ADHD. These programs should go beyond addressing behavioral issues and incorporate emotional well-being and problem-solving strategies. Through workshops or support groups, parents could learn relaxation techniques to manage stress, communication strategies to foster positive interactions, and positive behavior management techniques. By equipping parents with a diverse range of coping mechanisms, they become empowered to effectively navigate the challenges of ADHD and create a nurturing and supportive environment for their child’s overall development. Keywords: Coping Mechanisms, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD, Parents

Coping strategies adopted by caregivers of children with autism in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Background: Emotion- and problem-focused coping strategies are frequently employed by caregivers of autistic children to increase their general well-being and resilience to the stress of raising the child. Although these strategies cannot directly address the situation, it is useful for handling stressful situations that cannot change.Objectives: The study seeks to explore and understand the emotion- and problem-focused strategies that caregivers use to cope with the challenges of raising a child with autism.Method: This was a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research study. Twenty-eight caregivers were purposive-convenient sampled from the public special schools where their autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children are schooling. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data, which were then transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis.Results: Positive emotion-focused strategies include positive reappraisal, reframing and acceptance. Negative emotion-focused strategies include denial, emotional release, cognitive distortion, self-isolation, overprotection, negative self-talk, punishment and religion. Problem-focused coping strategies include active and adaptive coping, peer group, professional support and social support.Conclusion: The coping methods that have been identified can be integrated into intervention programmes and serve as a guide for specialised institutions that offer more extensive knowledge and assistance to families who are caring for children with ASD.Contribution: The study contributes to understanding the emotion- and problem-focused strategies adopted by rural caregivers in managing their emotions, interpretation of the situation and adjusting to the demands of raising an autistic child.

A Role-Needs Framework: Rethinking Support for Informal Caregivers for Alzheimer's Across the Global South and Global North.

Caregivers play an essential role in supporting people with Alzheimer's disease globally. User-informed research is vital to developing trans-cultural guidelines for dementia support organisations. While coping strategies of caregivers are well researched, the 'coping-effectiveness' framework falls short of representing all caregiver needs. Our aim was to develop a robust and inclusive, globally applicable framework of caregiver-informed support needs. In partnership with Alzheimer's Disease International and Roche, we conducted qualitative online semi-structured interviews with 34 family caregivers from the Global North (UK, US) and Global South (Brazil, South Africa) in the COVID-19 context. Participant-generated photographs helped encourage discussions of hidden contextual issues. Iterative inductive narrative analysis of interviews and photographs was carried out with input from global and national charity and industry sectors. We identified a framework of four cross-cultural caring approaches with implications for support: (1) Empathising, using emotion-focused strategies to develop strong expertise and coping skills, with time specific information, psychosocial and peer support needs. (2) Organising, using problem-focused strategies, with strong narratives of expertise and advocacy which benefited from early structured information and professional confirmation. (3) Non-identifying caregiving, where daily aspects of caring occurred without specialist knowledge and expertise, and caregivers sought assistance in managing disease-related support. (4) Reluctance, where struggling with unwanted caring responsibilities meant caregivers looked to professionals to carry out daily care. Our findings move beyond the 'coping-effectiveness' framework of support to suggest a novel 'role-needs' framework. Our approach supports inclusive ways of tailoring support to fit individual caregiver circumstances globally.

Stuck in a moment you can't get out of: the psychological effects of expatriates' coping with a crisis situation

PurposeWe draw upon stress theory and utilize the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to investigate how various coping strategies employed by expatriates affect their psychological stress, subsequently influencing their expatriation satisfaction and intention to withdraw from the host country.Design/methodology/approachWe utilize structural equation modeling to analyze a sample of 453 expatriates residing and working in the United Arab Emirates during the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsOur analysis shows that the effects of different coping strategies on expatriates vary. Depending on the nature of the strategy, they can have either positive or negative effects. While coping via problem-focused and denial strategies decreases expatriates' stress, coping by distancing increases it. Social support-seeking is not found to be an effective stress-coping strategy. In terms of implications, the problem-focused strategy leads to the most positive outcomes, whereas distancing leads to the most negative outcomes.Originality/valueOur study provides significant theoretical and practical insights into expatriates' coping mechanisms within the context of natural crises.

Disruptive behaviors in the classroom, a question of gender or of inadequate forms of coping?

Disruptive behaviors in the classroom are a cause of concern for schools and educational researchers because of their impact on the rhythm of the class, harming students and teachers. The literature links the use of different coping strategies with disruptive behavior, with controversy regarding the frequency in which boys and girls engage in them, as well as a differential use of problem-focused versus emotion-focused strategies within the sexes. This study aimed to explore the relationships between gender, coping strategies, and adolescent disruptive behaviors and to identify possible idiosyncratic profiles of students regarding gender and the typology of disruptive behaviors. A sample of 382 high school students from the city of Algeciras (Cádiz, Spain) completed the Hormigo et al. (2003) Questionnaire of Perception of Conflict Behaviors and the Spanish adaptation of the Cano et al. (2007) Coping Strategies Inventory. The results showed that problem-focused coping strategies predicted a lower frequency of disruptive behaviors, whereas emotion-focused coping strategies increased the frequency of disruptive behaviors regardless of gender. Three differentiated profiles of students have also been identified: two groups of boys (adolescents who frequently committed all types of disruptive behaviors and boys who engage less frequently in disruptive behaviors) and a group of girls, more homogeneous, who resemble the group of disruptive boys showing more aggression towards teachers and school material and slightly disobedient, and differing from both boys groups regarding aggression among students.

Consumer coping during the COVID-19 pandemic: a perspective of fashion shopping

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought dramatic life changes to consumers. From the perspective of fashion shopping, this study aims to provide an understanding of how consumers have coped with the pandemic to maintain their physical and mental well-being.Design/methodology/approachUtilizing an observational research method, this study extracted and analyzed text data from Twitter, focusing on fashion consumption-related tweets posted by consumers in May 2020. Content analysis was employed to reveal consumers' coping strategies during the pandemic.FindingsThrough fashion shopping, consumers have employed various strategies to cope with the problems incurred during the pandemic as well as the associated emotional stress. Specifically, problem-focused strategies included both active coping and restraint coping. Emotion-focused strategies included positive reinterpretation, acceptance, mental disengagement and seeking social support.Originality/valueTheoretically, this study provides empirical evidence for the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory in the context of using fashion shopping as a venue to cope with a pandemic. Managerial implications are also provided for the fashion industry as well as human service providers to better prepare for future public health crises.

Stigma experiences, effects and coping among individuals affected by Buruli ulcer and yaws in Ghana.

Stigma related to skin neglected tropical diseases like Buruli ulcer (BU) and yaws has remained underexplored and existing studies are limited to individual diseases despite the WHO call for integration in disease management. Within two districts in central Ghana, we explored stigma associated with BU and yaws to understand overlaps and disease-specific nuances to help guide integrated interventions. In-depth interviews were conducted with 31 current or formerly affected individuals to assess the experiences, effects and coping strategies adopted to manage disease related stigma. Data were analysed along broad themes based on the sociological construct of macro and micro interaction and Goffman's treatise on stigma. Disapproving community labels fueled by misconceptions were noted among BU participants which contributed to macro stigma experiences, including exclusion, discrimination and avoidance. In contrast, a high level of social acceptance was reported among yaws participants although some micro-level stigma (anticipated, felt and self-stigma) were noted by individuals with both diseases. While younger participants experienced name-calling and use of derogatory words to address affected body parts, older participants and caregivers discussed the pain of public staring. Stigma experiences had negative consequences on psychosocial well-being, schooling, and social relations, particularly for BU affected people. Problem-focused strategies including confrontation, selective disclosure and concealment as well as emotion-focused strategies (religious coping and self-isolation) were noted. The types and levels of stigma varied for BU and yaws. Stigma experiences also differed for adults and children in this setting and these differences should be accounted for in integrated interventions for these skin NTDs. School health programs need to prioritize educating school teachers about skin NTDs and the negative impact of stigma on the wellbeing of children.

Abstract P237: Relationships Among Perceived Stress, Hair Cortisol Concentration, Coping Strategies, and Blood Pressure in Young, Low-Income Adults

Introduction: Young adults living in poverty typically experience more stressors with greater severity and chronicity and are at an increased risk for developing high blood pressure at an earlier age than other populations. However, the mechanisms linking chronic stress to elevated blood pressure are not fully understood. Certain coping strategies may be more adaptive than others in easing the burden of stress on the cardiovascular system over time. Understanding how young, low-income adults use various coping strategies in response to stress may contribute to a better understanding of the influence of stress on cardiovascular health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the associations among perceived stress, hair cortisol concentration (HCC), coping strategies, and blood pressure among a sample of young, low-income adults. Methods: A secondary analysis of baseline data from a quasi-experimental trial and a cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted. PROCESS version 4 for SPSS 28 (Model 80) was used to conduct path analysis modeling to assess the relationships among perceived stress (measured by the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-10]), hair cortisol concentration (HCC), coping strategies (emotion-focused, problem-focused, and avoidant measured by the Brief COPE), and blood pressure (SBP/DBP) among a sample of young adults with an annual household income below the 2022 U.S. federal poverty level. Results: A total of 63 individuals (mean age = 29.7 ± 5.1 years, 96.8% female, 60.3% White), were included in this study. There was a small, negative association between perceived stress and HCC ( B = -0.02, p = 0.02); however, perceived stress and HCC were both positively associated with SBP and DBP (all p s < 0.05). Emotion-focused coping was negatively associated with HCC, while problem-focused and avoidant coping were positively associated with HCC ( p s < 0.05). There was a negative indirect effect of perceived stress on SBP through emotion-focused coping and HCC ( B = -0.14, 95% CI: -0.309, -0.007), while a positive indirect effect of perceived stress on SBP through problem-focused coping and HCC was observed ( B = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.002, 0.245). Similarly, the indirect effects of perceived stress on both SBP and DBP through avoidant coping and HCC were positive and significant (SBP: B = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.043, 0.427; DBP: B = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.015, 0.332). Conclusions: Overall, this study's findings highlight the importance of coping on the relationship between stress and blood pressure within a low-income population. Emotion-focused coping appears to be more adaptive for this population compared to problem-focused and avoidant strategies. Future research, especially studies measuring these constructs over time, is needed to confirm these findings and to comprehensively understand the complex relationships among stress, coping, and blood pressure.

Relationships Between Perceived Stigma and Coping Strategies in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often experience varying levels of social stigma, which can impact their health. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between perceived stigma and coping strategies among MS patients. Methods: Conducted from December 2019 to June 2020, this cross-sectional and correlational study involved 100 MS patients. Participants were recruited from a neurologic clinic in Qazvin, Iran, using convenience sampling. Data collection employed the Lazarus Coping Strategies Questionnaire and the Korean version of the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness 8-item (SSCI-8). Patients completed these questionnaires at the clinic. Data analysis utilized Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Results: The average age of participants was 35.93 ± 7.20 years. Mean scores for internal and external stigmas were 6.47 ± 2.03 and 8.73 ± 3.48, respectively. Problem-focused strategies were most commonly used by MS patients. Pearson correlations revealed a significant positive relationship between internal stigma and escape-avoidance (r = 0.391, P < 0.000), seeking social support (r = 0.215, P = 0.031), confronting (r = 0.240, P = 0.016), and self-controlling strategies (r = 0.222, P = 0.026). Significant associations were also noted between external stigma and escape avoidance (r = 0.322, P = 0.001) and confronting strategies (r = 0.240, P = 0.016). Inverse correlations were found between educational level and internal stigma (r = -0.273, P = 0.006) and between MS duration and external stigma (r = -0.296, P = 0.003). Conclusions: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients experiencing higher levels of stigma tended to use more negative coping strategies. Implementing programs to reduce stigma and promote effective coping strategies may enhance the physical and psychological well-being of these patients.

Problem-Focused Coping as a Predictor of Psychological Well-Being in Individuals with Substance Use Disorder

The explanation of the term coping is how a person address challenging situations through different behavioral and cognitive strategies. Problem-focused coping include strategies through which a person focuses on finding the solutions to problem that leads to maintaining psychological well-being. Objective: To investigate the predictive association of problem-focused coping with individual’s psychological well-being in people grappling with substance use disorder. Method: The theoretical model of the study was based on Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping and Six Factor Model of Psychological Well-Being The sample size comprised of 128 participants with substance used disorder between the ages 20 to 40 years old (M=30.14; SD=6.64). The entire sample was drawn from diverse Rehabilitation Centers located in Karachi. Participants were selected by using purposive sampling technique. In this study three measures were used; semi structure interview form, Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being-Urdu Version and the locally constructed Coping Styles Scale. Descriptive statistics and Linear Regression Analyses were utilized for sample characterization and to ascertain the predictive relationship between variables. Results: Results revealed that in those with substance use disorder, the use of problem-focused strategies significantly predicted the psychological well-being. Moreover, the analysis highlighted that problem-focused coping significantly predicted six dimensions of psychological well-being in this population. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of coping strategies in treating individuals with substance use disorder, facilitating effective stress management, and maintaining psychological well-being. Awareness campaigns supported by research helps in maintaining insight and positive mental health

Work-Related Stressors and Coping Strategies of Nurses in a Selected Tertiary Hospital in a City in the Philippines

Background: Nurses may experience stress at work due to reasons like job overload, lack of sleep, a feeling of lack of support, and many more. Therefore, nurses must have coping strategies in place to provide all patients with the best possible care. The aim of this study is to determine the significant relationship between work-related stressors and the coping strategies of the nurses in a selected tertiary hospital in Bulacan by identifying their profile variables, their work-related stressors, and their coping strategies. Methods: Adapted survey questionnaires were answered by 206 nurses working in different areas of the Bulacan Medical Center in a self-administered manner, and 166 data points were suitable for data analysis. Nurses have diverse profiles. The data obtained were analyzed using different statistical treatments – percentage, weighted mean, one-way ANOVA t- test, and Pearson r to yield the needed results for the study. Results: Work-related stressors (F=3.571, p<.001, & η^2=.263) and coping strategies (F=3.938, p<.001, η^2=.283) have significant differences in their area of duty. As for their work-related stressors, it is evident that nurses perceive external stressors to be slightly more significant (M = 2.58) than internal stressors (M = 2.49). For coping, nurses often employ problem-focused strategies (M = 3.04) to deal with stressors in their work environment than emotional coping strategies (M = 2.68). With regards to the correlation between work-related stressors and coping strategies, there is a moderate positive correlation between the two (r=.521, p<.001). Conclusion: The findings of the study confirmed the presence of both external and internal work-related stressors among nurses. External stressors such as workload, conflicts at work, and dealing with difficult patients and their families were identified as significant sources of stress. Internal factors, including high expectations, feelings of inadequacy, and negative emotions during task performance, were also found to contribute to nurses' stress levels. This study confirmed that age, civil status, length of service, sex, and employment status did not significantly influence nurses' experiences of work-related stress or their choice of coping strategies. The result of this study concludes that work-related stressors and coping strategies are impacted by their area of assignment. Nurses working in critical care units, such as emergency rooms and intensive care units, experienced higher levels of stress compared to those in other areas. Nurses who experienced higher levels of work-related stress were more likely to employ coping strategies to manage and regulate stressful events. In light of this, it also concludes that work-related stressors and coping strategies of the nurses in Bulacan Medical Center are correlated with each other. In line with the significant correlation between work-related stressors and the coping strategies of nurses, it can be concluded that in the nursing profession, resiliency is prevalent even in stressful situations. Additionally, in this study, it was also highlighted that nurses employ problem-focused coping more than emotion-focused coping. This also implies how nurses in a clinical setting are more likely to be self-composed for them to formulate an organized and planned action in the presence of conflict.

Patient activation and psychological coping strategies to manage challenging circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic in people with kidney disease

BackgroundCoping with health problems requires some degree of self-management; however, an individual’s ability to self-manage can be threatened during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Exploring differences and changes in psychological well-being and coping strategies between those with low and high patient activation may inform appropriate interventions to support psychological coping.MethodsPeople with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (non-dialysis and transplant) were recruited from 11 hospital sites across England between August and December 2020. Participants responded to an online survey study, including the Brief Coping Orientation to Problem Experienced (COPE) Inventory, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Short Health Anxiety Index (SHAI), and Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13). A follow-up survey was conducted 6–9 months later. Paired t tests assessed within-group changes, and chi-squared tests compared coping strategies utilised by low- and high-activated participants. General linear modelling was performed to determine the relationship between patient activation and coping strategies, and covariates.ResultsTwo hundred and fourteen participants were recruited (mean age: 60.7, 51% male, mean eGFR: 38.9 ml/min/1.73 m2). Low-activated participants were significantly more anxious than high-activated participants (P = 0.045). Health anxiety significantly decreased (i.e., got better) for high-activated participants (P = 0.016). Higher patient activation scores were associated with greater use of problem-focused strategies (β = 0.288, P < 0.001). Age (β = − 0.174, P = 0.012), sex (β = 0.188, P = 0.004), and education level (β = 0.159, P = 0.019) significantly predicted use of problem-focused strategies.DiscussionThose with higher activation had lower levels of anxiety, and more frequently used adaptive coping strategies during the pandemic. Targeted support and interventions may be required for people with CKD to enhance patient activation, encourage more positive adaptive coping strategies, and mitigate maladaptive coping strategies.Graphical abstract

Relationship between stress and coping strategies of caregivers of elderly people with Alzheimer's Disease

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the relationship between stress and coping strategies of 126 caregivers of elderly people with Alzheimer's Disease. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the sociodemographic, health and care profile of the elderly, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Ways of Coping with Problems Scale. Data analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, asymmetry and kurtosis coefficients, bootstrapping procedures, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, independent student's t-test, One-Way Anova and Tukey's Post-Hoc (p &lt; 0.05). It was found that stress presented a significant (p &lt; 0.05), moderate and negative correlation with the problem-focused coping strategy, in addition to a positive and moderate correlation with the emotion-focused strategy. Coping strategies focused on the problem (β = -0.54; p &lt; 0.001) and emotion (β = 0.33; p &lt; 0.001) presented a significant prediction on the caregivers' perception of stress. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the problem-focused strategy appears to contribute to reducing caregivers' perception of stress, while the emotion-focused strategy appears to contribute positively to stress.

The experiences of intensive care nurses coping with ethical conflict: a qualitative descriptive study

BackgroundThe critical conditions and life risk scenarios make intensive care nurses susceptible to ethical conflict. Negative consequences were recognized at both the individual level and the professional level which highly compromised the patient care and nurses’ well-being. Therefore, ethical conflict has become a major concern in nursing practice. However, the experience of coping with ethical conflict among intensive care nurses remains unclear.AimsThis study aims to explore the experience of intensive care nurses coping with ethical conflict in China.MethodsFrom December 2021 to February 2022, in- depth interviews with 15 intensive care nurses from five intensive care units in a tertiary general hospital in China was performed using purposive sampling. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data. We applied the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research for this study.ResultsTwo distinctive themes were found: detachment and engagement, which contained four subthemes: ignoring ethical problems in the workplace, seeking ways to express emotions, perspective-taking, and identifying positive assets. Theses coping strategies demonstrated an ongoing process with different essential features.ConclusionThis study provides a new insight into the experience of intensive care nurses coping with ethical conflict in clinical nursing. Intensive care nurses demonstrated differential experience of coping with ethical conflict including problem-focused, emotion-focused and meaning-making strategies. These findings have implications for policymakers and nursing administrators to develop ethical education and training and supportive environment for intensive care nurses to tackle this issue.

Self-reported general health/psychological status of Ukrainian female refugees in the Czech Republic

Abstract 533 490 refugees from Ukraine received ‘temporary protection’ from the Czech government. The data for the cross-sectional study (919 females) were obtained via an online survey which recorded self-reported physical health and psychological status, specific aspects of mental health, coping strategies and demographic characteristics. The average age of participants was about 38 years old and more than 70% had children. Most respondents have a university education (71%), came from cities and towns (88.7 %), and had employment in Ukraine (73.8 %). As regards, self-reported health, 43% of females reported their general health as good, 46.8% as fair, and 10.2% as bad and very bad. In addition, 27.9% reported that their health has worsened during the last month and 4.5% that their health had worsened or that they had sustained injury due to the war. Also, 52.7% self-reported their psychological status as fair, 26% as bad, and 7.7% as having very bad status. Preliminary results showed that refugees more often used problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies and less avoidant coping strategies. Ineffective coping strategies of self-blame and behavioural disengagement were associated with poorly reported physical health/psychological status. Effective coping strategies were positively associated with better-reported psychological status. The majority of Ukrainian female refugees (75.2%) have a moderate level of perceived stress, and 20.3% have a high level. Total stress score was moderately positively correlated with the avoidant coping strategy (r = .48), so the higher the perceived stress the higher the possibility for respondents to employ avoidant coping strategy. Moreover, there were strong positive correlations between perceived stress and self-reported emotional and psychological status (r = .61) and positive correlations with self-reported physical health (r = .29). The higher level of perceived stress related to the worst self-reported physical and mental health. Key messages • The research outcomes could be used in the social policy of the Czech government to help Ukrainian female refugees to better adapt to the country and avoid worsening physical and mental health status. • Social policies can reduce the negative physical and mental health outcomes associated with refugees’ resettlement.

Coping, social support and medical factors on psychosocial impact in couples experiencing infertility

This study assessed dyadically the relationship between psychosocial impact of infertility experienced by 87 couples and individual coping strategies, perceived social support and some medical factors. Although problem-focused strategies emerged as positive, certain side effects on partner were revealed. Social support was related to psychosocial outcomes in a positive way, cognitive component of coping strategies resulted as a prominent factor on individual’s adjustment as well as the partner’s role. Findings suggest the convenience of promoting the awareness about the effects of each partner’s feelings, behaviors and beliefs on his/her individual’s well-being in this field due to the interdependent context in which they are. Infertility counselors may foster this process by evaluating and educating to them about the functionality of these factors.

The association of compassionate care and coping with disease among patients undergoing hemodialysis

BackgroundCompassionate care is one of the concepts that is important to the care of patients with chronic diseases, especially for patients undergoing hemodialysis who deal with all kinds of problems and sufferings. This study aimed to measure the level of compassionate care from the perspective of hemodialysis patients and to assess the relationship between compassionate care and coping with the disease.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 240 patients undergoing hemodialysis in two hemodialysis centers. The participants were selected by random sampling method. Data were collected by the Schwartz Center Compassionate Care Scale (SCCCS) and the Brief COPE scale. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (version 26) software using ANOVA, t test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient.ResultsThe mean score of compassionate care from the perspective of patients on hemodialysis was 101.20 ± 17.47 out of 120. Among coping strategies, problem-focused strategies which are considered efficient were used more than other emotional-focused and avoidance coping strategies. Moreover, there was a significant and positive relationship of compassionate care with problem-focused and emotional-focused strategies (p < 0.05).ConclusionAccording to the results, providing compassionate care for patients on hemodialysis could help them to cope with their disease. Moreover, the results showed that providing compassionate care is associated with positive coping strategies. Therefore, it is suggested for healthcare working in the hemodialysis units provide high-quality compassionate care and help the patients and their families to cope with their chronic diseases.

Older adults' coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic - a longitudinal mixed-methods study.

Older age is a main risk factor for severe COVID-19. In 2020, a broad political debate was initiated as to what extent older adults need special protection and isolation to minimize their risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, isolation might also have indirect negative psychological (e.g., loneliness, stress, fear, anxiety, depression) or physical (e.g., lack of exercise, missing medical visits) consequences depending on individual strategies and personality traits to cope longitudinally with this crisis. To examine the impact of individuals' coping with the pandemic on mental health, a large sample of 880 older adults of the prospective longitudinal cohort TREND study were surveyed six times about their individual coping strategies in the COVID-19 pandemic between May 2020 (05/2020: Mage = 72.1, SDage = 6.4, Range: 58-91 years) and November 2022 in an open response format. The relevant survey question was: "What was helpful for you to get through the last months despite the COVID-19 pandemic? E.g., phone calls, going for a walk, or others." In total, we obtained 4,561 records containing 20,578 text passages that were coded and assigned to 427 distinct categories on seven levels based on qualitative content analysis using MAXQDA. The results allow new insights into the impact of personal prerequisites (e.g., value beliefs, living conditions), the general evaluation of the pandemic (e.g., positive, irrelevant, stressful) as well as the applied coping strategies (e.g., cognitive, emotional- or problem-focused) to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic by using an adapted Lazarus stress model. Throughout the pandemic emotional-focused as well as problem-focused strategies were the main coping strategies, whereas general beliefs, general living conditions and the evaluation were mentioned less frequently.

Stress Coping in Adolescents Who Have Disharmonious Families in Sidoarjo

This qualitative phenomenological study investigates stress coping mechanisms among adolescents from disharmonious families, addressing their responses to challenging and unforeseen family situations. Through semi-structured interviews with two subjects in Sidoarjo, the study identifies distinct coping aspects: problem-focused strategies encompassing planning, competitive activity suppression, behavioral release, coping restrictions, instrumental support utilization, and emotional-focused strategies involving emotional support utilization, emotional release focus, mental liberation, positive reinterpretation and growth, self-blame, acceptance, rejection, humor, substance use, and religious turn. The research reveals that emotional intelligence, stress levels, and religious maturity serve as influential factors shaping stress coping behaviors. These findings offer valuable insights into the complex dynamics of adolescents navigating difficulties within dysfunctional family environments, emphasizing the role of psychological factors and religious engagement in their coping mechanisms. Highlights: Diverse Coping Strategies: This study unveils a range of coping strategies employed by adolescents in dysfunctional families, including problem-focused and emotional-focused approaches. Influential Factors: The research highlights the significant impact of emotional intelligence, stress levels, and religious maturity on adolescents' ability to cope with stress within disharmonious family settings. Qualitative Insight: Using a phenomenological approach, the study offers qualitative insights into the nuanced experiences and coping mechanisms of adolescents facing challenging situations in dysfunctional family environments. Keywords: Adolescent stress coping, Dysfunctional families, Emotional intelligence, Phenomenological approach, Religious maturity