Problem-oriented Coping Strategies Research Articles

Civilian Coping Strategies in War

This paper aims to gain further understanding of civilian experiences of war by analyzing a diary written during the siege of Breslau in 1945. This study seeks to address two key issues. Firstly, the current Peace and Conflict Studies literature lacks integration of theories from psychology, which could help gain insights into civilian coping strategies in war. Furthermore, civilian war experiences should be addressed in their historical context. Drawing from Suedfeld et al.’s (1997) adapted Ways of Coping Scale, which derives from Lazarus’ and Folkman’s (1984) theory on psychological stress and coping, a directed, qualitative content analysis explores the coping strategies used by the diarist. The study finds that the diarist mostly employs problem-oriented coping strategies, focusing on altering the threat, consisting of escaping from bombs, analyzing, preparing for, and altering the damage caused by artillery and seeking social support. Emotion-oriented coping, aimed at regulating the emotional response to a threat, mostly shows through denying the threat to maintain sleep and normality, and through distancing oneself from the threat through humor, hope, and a positive attitude. My findings form a base to adapt Suedfeld et al.’s Ways of Coping Scale to better assess civilian coping strategies in war.

Anxiety and Coping Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mothers of Children with Thalassemia

Background: Caring for children with thalassemia under stressful conditions adversely affects the health of mothers. Objectives: This study aims to explore factors causing anxiety and coping strategies among these mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized convenience sampling and included three questionnaires: The Coronavirus Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), the Carver Coping Strategies Questionnaire, and a Demographic Information Questionnaire. The questionnaires were filled out in person. Considering the study variables and allocating 15 samples per variable, the sample size was determined to be 200 participants. Results: The results indicated no significant difference in average anxiety levels between mothers with underlying diseases and those without. The multiple regression analysis (F = 13.950, AR2 = 0.163, P < 0.01) confirmed the model's significance. Problem-oriented, emotion-oriented, and avoidance-oriented coping styles significantly impacted anxiety (P < 0.01). Conclusions: It is recommended to promote problem-oriented coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce anxiety among these mothers.

Resilience and Sense of Coherence among Female Fibromyalgia Patients Living in a Conflict Zone Who Underwent Fibrotherapy Intervention

Objective: This study sought to examine whether the sense of coherence (SoC) and resilience among female fibromyalgia (FM) patients increased after participation in a fibrotherapy intervention program (FTI) and whether SoC and resilience increased among female FM patients (FFMPs) exposed to security threats who changed their coping strategies to problem-oriented coping. Methods: Ninety-six FFMPs aged 19–75 enrolled in the FTI program led by Rabbi Firer in Sderot, Israel. The intervention program is divided into three stages, each comprising a distinct weekly treatment plan. The treatment plans encompass the following modalities: physiotherapy adapted to FM conditions, group therapy, hydrotherapy, horticultural therapy/cooking therapy, Pilates, pottery therapy, and kundalini yoga. Each stage spans a duration of 10 weeks, culminating in a total program duration of 30 weeks. Results: The findings show that after participating in FTI, the problem-orientation level of coping and health indicators, including functional ability and physiological scores (pre- and post-exertion), increased while psychological distress levels decreased. Overall, all the physiological scales measured before and after the FTI showed a significant improvement among the entire sample. FFMPs with problem-oriented strategies reported higher levels of SoC and resilience after participating in the FTI program. Conclusions: The FTI provided FFMPs with tools to understand the meaning of their disease and its management, whereas before they were preoccupied with the presence of the disease and its negative impact on their lives. The participation of FFMPs in the FTI leads to a perceptual change, the adoption of problem-oriented coping strategies, and the increased utilization of coping resources, namely, SoC and resilience. Problem-oriented coping combined with high SoC and resilience led FFMPs to adopt health strategies such as physical activity and other empowering activities that raised their physical and mental health indicators.

Coping Strategies Among Family Caregivers of Patients with Chronic Mental Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: It is widely acknowledged that family caregivers of patients with chronic mental disorders face numerous challenges that can jeopardize their mental well-being. Therefore, the adoption of effective coping strategies can equip them to navigate the difficult and stressful situations encountered in their daily lives. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to assess the coping strategies employed by family caregivers of patients with chronic mental disorders who were receiving care at psychiatric centers in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study involved 188 family caregivers of individuals with mental disorders selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics form and the Endler and Parker Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations – Short Form (CISS-SF). The relationship between demographic variables and coping strategy scores was analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson and Spearman correlation tests in SPSS v. 20. Results: The results revealed that 55.1% of family caregivers utilized emotion-oriented coping strategies, 30.3% employed problem-solving coping strategies, and 14.6% adopted avoidance coping strategies. Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between the types of coping strategies and any of the demographic variables (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Given the findings of this study, which suggest that family caregivers tend to use ineffective coping strategies, it is imperative to implement preventive and psychological interventions aimed at enhancing the utilization of problem-oriented coping strategies within this group.

The Effect of Benson's Relaxation Technique on Coping Strategies Among Informal Caregivers of Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study.

Informal caregivers of cancer patients often experience high levels of stress and burden, leading to the adoption of ineffective coping strategies. This can result in psychological problems for the caregivers and inadequate care provision. This study aimed to investigate the impact of Benson's relaxation technique (BRT) on coping strategies among informal caregivers of cancer patients. This open-label randomized clinical trial enrolled 113 caregivers visiting the radiotherapy and chemotherapy departments of Vasei Hospital in Sabzevar, Iran, who scored ≥48 on the Novak and Guest Caregiver Burden Inventory. The participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group received BRT, with participants performing the technique twice a day for 20 minutes each time over a 1-month period. The control group did not receive any intervention. Coping strategies were assessed using Endler and Parker's coping strategies inventory. The findings of the study revealed that the intervention group showed an increase in the utilization of problem-oriented coping strategies (P = .076) and a decrease in the utilization of emotion-oriented coping strategies (P < .001) and avoidance-oriented coping strategies in the intervention group compared with the control group (P = .004). Findings suggest that BRT, as a cost-effective and nonpharmacological intervention, effectively reduces the reliance on emotion-oriented and avoidance-oriented coping strategies among informal caregivers of cancer patients. Healthcare professionals working in oncology settings are encouraged to incorporate BRT into their care practices.

A community-based cross-sectional study on stressors and gender differences in coping strategies among primary caregivers of cardiovascular disease in the capital city of India, New Delhi

Apart from the impact on mortality rates, CVDs often present as chronic conditions, adding to the stress of caregiving to their caregivers. Males and females cope differently with the stressors in general. In this study, we aim to investigate the gender-based variations in coping strategies among primary caregivers of individuals with CVD.: A sample size of 384 households was selected using systematic random sampling for the study and household was the primary sampling unit. The information was collected regarding the stressors and various coping strategies utilized by primary caregivers to navigate different stressors. Out of the total 384 caregivers, stressors were found in 347 caregivers who were then studied for coping strategies. Among primary caregivers, the proportion of women (58%) was more than men (42%)Planful problem-solving (85.9%) was found to be the most commonly preferred coping strategy among both genders, with no significant association. Among other problem-oriented coping strategies, men caregivers reported using confrontive coping more frequently. While assessing emotion-focused coping strategies, Accepting responsibility (77.5%), Self-controlling (68.9%), Positive appraisal strategy (61.4%) and Distancing (36.3%) were found more likely to be adopted by women. Seeking social support (69%), both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies were found more among women caregivers.By implementing gender-sensitive approaches, we can better support caregivers and help them navigate the challenges of caregiving for individuals with cardiovascular diseases.

Effect of resilience training on stress coping strategies among employees engaged in hard jobs during COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent years, the stress caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic has increased on the stress of working in difficult jobs, in this research resilience and coping styles focus on responding to stress. The present study aimed to examine the effect of resilience training on coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic by holding resilience-training sessions. This is a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population included all married personnel of Kavir Steel Complex, Aran and Bidgol County. In total, 30 couples were randomly selected and divided into case and control groups (n = 15 couples per group). In this study, Henderson and Milstein's resilience training package was used for resilience training; two basic assumptions of variance homogeneity of posttest error of coping strategies and homogeneity of regression line slope between pretests and posttests were examined. For data analyzing, we used SPSS Version 25. The results showed resilience training increased application of problem-oriented coping strategies (p < .01, SE = 1.88, Δx̄ = 10.19) and decreased application of emotion-oriented (p < .01, SE = 1.69, Δx̄ = 8.65) and avoidance (p < .01, SE = 1.86, Δx̄ = 4.15) coping strategies among the personnel. Moreover, the interaction effect of group and gender was only significant on emotion-oriented strategies at .05 (p < .05, F = 6.51). Analyzing the results showed that problem-oriented coping strategies, in contrast to avoidant and emotion-oriented strategies, positively controlled stress. The ability to deal with stressors is critical to daily functioning, adaptation, and mental and physical health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

An online solution focused brief therapy for adolescent anxiety : A randomized controlled trial.

In this randomized clinical trial, we investigated the efficacy of an online solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) for adolescents' anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 period. Eligible participants were between the ages of 11 and 18 years, scored a 10 or above on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). The results found that compared to adolescents who did not receive any treatment, the intervention yielded significant results in alleviating adolescents' anxiety and depressive symptoms while promoting problem oriented coping strategies at immediate post-intervention. The therapeutic benefit has persisted, as shown in our results from the 1-month follow-up.

A Resilience Process Model of Parenting in the Context of Poverty

Poverty is associated with multiple contextual stressors, which may exacerbate child-rearing stress and interfere with positive parenting. However, many parents successfully navigate seemingly insurmountable obstacles and engage in positive parenting, which may allow parents to minimize the impact of poverty on child development by exerting control in responding to child-rearing challenges and focusing on parenting as a source of agency and competence. This paper provides a resilience process model of parenting based on the literature from multiple disciplines, including socio-cognitive processes, decision-making, and coping, to identify risk and protective factors that contribute to positive parenting. Parents’ adaptive mindsets and more active, problem-oriented coping strategies may strengthen parents’ cognitive and emotion regulation, which, in turn, may lead to more positive parenting behaviors. This conceptual model may contribute to a more nuanced appreciation of how parents living in poverty successfully manage child-rearing challenges. By understanding the resilience process of parenting, we may inform family practice and interventions to better support well-being among families living in poverty.

End-of-Life Care Stress and Stress Coping Strategy among Home Health Care Advanced Practice Nurses

Purpose: This study examined how to cope with end-of-life care stress of home health care advanced practice nurses (APN), and determined the correlation between end of-life care stress and coping strategies. Methodology: The research tool used end-of-life care stress, and stress-coping strategy. The collected data used real numbers and percentages, mean and standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, and Pearson's correlation using the SPSS 25.0 program. Results: The end-of-life nursing stress of home health care APN was high, and problem-oriented coping strategies were used more. There was no significant difference in end-of-life nursing stress according to the general characteristics of home health care APN. On the other hand, there was a difference in coping strategies. There was a significant positive correlation between end-of-life nursing stress and emotion-oriented stress-coping strategies. Conclusions: home health care APN are experiencing high, death care stress. Education and program development are needed to assist them with their end-of-life nursing stress.

Problem-oriented coping and resilience among Fibromyalgia patients who live under security threats and have undergone a Fibrotherapy intervention program

ABSTRACT Our study examined the association between problem-focused coping and resilience among fibromyalgia (FM) patients who live under constant security threats. Resilience is a coping resource and detrimentally affects FM female patients (FMPs) to get up and cope with life. A cohort of 96 FMPs ages 19–75 was subjected to a Fibrotherapy intervention program in the Rehabilitation Help Center in Sderot (Ezra Le’Marpeh), Israel. We examined levels of problem-oriented coping and levels of resilience among the sample. In addition, we assessed whether there is a correlation between their resilience level and their medical metrics. The research included medical metrics and physical metrics. A cohort of 16 FMPs who participated in the quantitative phase composed the qualitative sample. Data from the t-test showed improved mental resilience among all the sample, with a significantly higher level among problem-oriented FMPs. We conclude that resilience is acquired through problem-oriented coping strategies. Furthermore, the association between resilience and problem-oriented coping helped to improve health indicators since coping with the disease included entering a regime of physicals activity and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Comparing Coping Strategies in People Between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Healthy People in Terms of Health Locus of Control

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disorders that cause chronic inflammation (pain and swelling) in the intestines. IBD includes Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. Both types affect the digestive system. This study aims to compare coping strategies in people with inflammatory bowel disease and healthy people, according to internal and external sources of health control. Methods: The present study method was causal-comparative. The study population included all patients with inflammatory bowel disease and healthy people referred to the Bowel Department of the Jam Hospital in Tehran City, Iran, from April to September 2020. The research sample included 200 subjects (87 healthy people and 113 people with inflammatory bowel disease) selected by purposeful sampling. The participants completed the multidimensional health locus of control and the Folkman and Lazarus coping strategies inventory. For the data analysis, statistical indices of mean, standard deviation, distribution indices, and univariate and multivariate analysis of variance were performed in SPSS software, version 24. Results: The findings showed that of 8 coping strategies, two problem-oriented coping strategies, namely positive reappraisal, and responsibility, were seen more in people with IBD, and no difference was seen in other coping strategies between patients and healthy groups (P&gt;0.05). About the variable of the source of health control, it was found that of 8 coping strategies, only the emotion-oriented coping strategy of avoidance was more common in people with an internal locus of control and in using other coping strategies between the two study groups with a source of control no difference was observed between internal and external control. Conclusion: In the present study, according to research, coping strategies are statistically similar in 4 groups of inflammatory bowel disease patients and healthy people.

Coping-behavior of teachers with different professional experience

Constructive strategies of coping behavior are the most important resource and mechanism for the prevention of the emotional burnout of teachers, the risk of which increases with increasing teaching experience. The authors point out that the results of scientific works aimed at studying coping strategies of teachers with different professional experience are ambiguous. The article provides a comparative analysis of the structure of coping behavior of teachers with professional experience up to 5 years, 6-15 years and more than 16 years. As research methods, the authors use the questionnaire “Coping behavior in stressful situationsˮ adapted by T.L. Kryukova and the questionnaire “Strategies for overcoming stressful situationsˮ by S. Hobfall. It is revealed that teachers with minimal and maximum professional experience have a number of similar features of coping behavior: a high level of coping focused on avoidance, the relationship between prosocial strategies and social distraction, as well as significant links between manipulative and asocial strategies. The structure of coping behavior of teachers with less than 5 years of experience is characterized by the lowest indicators of the use of problem-oriented coping, prosocial strategies and the index of constructiveness of coping in general. High rates of emotionally-oriented coping have been recorded among teachers with more than 16 years of experience. The authors note that with increasing length of service, the indicators of problem-oriented coping and prosocial coping strategies grow.

The Relationship between Emotional Reactions and Coping Strategies of Nurses during the Outbreak of COVID-19 in Ganjavian Hospital in Dezful in 2020

Background: Nurses face challenges when they are in a stressful situation and therefore use strategies to adapt. Objective: Considering the importance of the type of strategy used by nurses to maintain their mental health and considering the differences in the results of studies on the applicability of coping strategies, the present study investigates the emotional reactions and coping strategies of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study involving 208 nurses working in Ganjavian Hospital in Dezful in 2020. The instruments used in the questionnaire are: emotional reactions, demographic and coping style questionnaire preference for modified coping practices. Results: The results showed that the mean age of nurses participating in the study was 31.15±7.25 years. Most emotional reactions were related to nurses' feelings of desire with an average of 3.44 ±1. 23 and the lowest related to disgust with a mean of 2.44 ±1.26. The highest coping actions of nurses were related to nurses' emotional coping strategy with a mean of 26.87 ± 4.5. There was a significant relationship between problem-solving coping strategies with emotional disgust and direct anxiety. Conclusion: Due to the high level of hope and anxiety in nurses and the adoption of coping strategies focused on emotion, hospital managers and mental health managers should focus on providing psychological support to nurses and teaching problem-oriented coping strategies. They should also encourage the nurses to deal with their high level of hope for the high anxiety caused by Covid disease.

The effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance and coping strategies in betrayed women

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance, and coping strategies in betrayed women. Method: The current research method was quasi-experimental, with a pre-test-post-test-follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included all women affected by extramarital relationships who had been referred to psychological clinics and specialized marriage centers (under the welfare organization) in Isfahan City in order to use psychological services in the second half of 2022. The sample of this research included 30 women affected by extramarital relationships who were willing to participate in the research and were selected as available sampling. The data were obtained by using an anxiety sensitivity questionnaire (2005), a distress tolerance scale (2005), and a coping strategies questionnaire (1984). The experimental group underwent Johnson's (2004) emotion-focused treatment. The data obtained from the research were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and the statistical method of analysis of covariance. Results: The results showed that emotion-focused therapy was effective in anxiety sensitivity (F=22.94, P&lt;0.001), distress tolerance (F=29.17, P&lt;0.001), and problem-oriented (F=8.95, P&lt;0.001) and emotion-oriented (F=18.47, P&lt;0.001) coping strategies in betrayed women. Conclusion: It can be concluded that emotion-focused therapy was effective in anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance, and coping strategies in betrayed women, and emotion-focused therapy can reduce the problems of betrayed women.

The Peculiarities of Psychological Adaptation of Teenagers to Difficult Life Situations

Introduction. The article deals with the problem of psychological adaptation of adolescents to difficult life situations. The existing theoretical approaches to understanding the phenomenon of psychological adaptation are analyzed, the concepts of “difficult life situation”, “critical situation” are considered. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the psychological specifics of the coping behavior of adolescents. The group of subjects who are in a difficult life situation was formed from pupils of the State Committee for Education and Science of the Republic of Moldova “Republican social shelter for children and adolescents ‘Nadezhda’ ”. Materials and Methods. In the course of the empirical study the following methods have been used: the projective method “Psychological autobiography” by the authors L. F. Burlachuk and E. Yu. Korzhova, the projective method “Man in the rain” by the authors A. Abrams and A. Emchin. To process the obtained empirical data, methods of mathematical statistics were used: the Mann – Whitney U-criterion and the φ* criterion – Fisher’s angular transformation. Results. According to the results of the empirical study, most adolescents of the 2nd group were characterized by the manifestation of passivity, lack of energy, stiffness, rigidity in difficult life situations, which generally confirms the weak representation of problem-oriented coping strategies in the coping behavior of adolescents. Discussion and Conclusion. The pupils of the orphanage turned out to be characterized by depressive states, possibly determined by the unfavorable social situation in which they found themselves, and in which they are most likely to experience deprivation of support from significant people. On the basis of the study carried out, psychological recommendations have been formulated to improve the effectiveness of adolescents’ psychological coping with difficult life situations, which can be used in the professional activities of psychologists – in professional counseling and psychocorrection, in the work of a teacher-psychologist, school psychologist and other specialists. These recommendations take into account, first of all, the importance of developing problem-oriented coping strategies in adolescents based on an objective and critical analysis of the cause-and-effect relationships of difficult situations.

Investigating the Effectiveness of Combining Contextual and Structural Family Therapies on Cohesion and Coping Strategies of Couples with Marital Dissatisfaction

Aim: The present study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of combining contextual and structural family therapies on cohesion and coping strategies of couples with marital dissatisfaction.&#x0D; Methods: This ‎experimental ‎research study utilized a pretest-‎posttest and two-month follow-‎up, with ‎control group design. The research population consisted of all couples with marital dissatisfaction who referred to family counseling centers in city of Birjand during the first 6 months of 2019. Furthermore, 20 couples with marital dissatisfaction were selected as the participants of the study using convenience and purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups (10 couples in each group). The experimental group received the treatment for ten 90-minute weekly ‎sessions and the control group received no intervention during this time. The research instruments included the Lazarus and Folkman (1988) Coping Strategies Questionnaire and The Olson, Portner and Levy (1996) Cohesion Questionnaire, which were administered to the participants in the pretest, post-test and follow-up. To analyze the data, repeated-measures ‎ANOVA‎ was used.&#x0D; Results: The research findings demonstrated that the combination of contextual and structural family therapies was effective regarding cohesion and coping strategies of couples with marital unsatisfaction. It should be noted that the persistence of the treatment effect was maintained after two months (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that the combination of contextual and structural family therapies increased cohesion and problem-oriented coping strategies of maladjusted couples in the experimental group, compared to the control group.

Investigating the Effectiveness of Combining Contextual and Structural Family Therapies on Cohesion and Coping Strategies of Couples with Marital Dissatisfaction

Aim: The present study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of combining contextual and structural family therapies on cohesion and coping strategies of couples with marital dissatisfaction.&#x0D; Methods: This ‎experimental ‎research study utilized a pretest-‎posttest and two-month follow-‎up, with ‎control group design. The research population consisted of all couples with marital dissatisfaction who referred to family counseling centers in city of Birjand during the first 6 months of 2019. Furthermore, 20 couples with marital dissatisfaction were selected as the participants of the study using convenience and purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups (10 couples in each group). The experimental group received the treatment for ten 90-minute weekly ‎sessions and the control group received no intervention during this time. The research instruments included the Lazarus and Folkman (1988) Coping Strategies Questionnaire and The Olson, Portner and Levy (1996) Cohesion Questionnaire, which were administered to the participants in the pretest, post-test and follow-up. To analyze the data, repeated-measures ‎ANOVA‎ was used.&#x0D; Results: The research findings demonstrated that the combination of contextual and structural family therapies was effective regarding cohesion and coping strategies of couples with marital unsatisfaction. It should be noted that the persistence of the treatment effect was maintained after two months (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that the combination of contextual and structural family therapies increased cohesion and problem-oriented coping strategies of maladjusted couples in the experimental group, compared to the control group.

Coping factors underlying academic achievement in senior adolescence

Educational activity is accompanied by dramatic qualitative changes in the structure of human consciousness associated with the search, acquisition and assimilation of new information, its use to increase the productivity of one’s activities in various fields. Such dramatic changes are accompanied by stress and, accordingly, the formation and development of methods for overcoming it, coping, aimed at reducing the negative consequences of difficult life situations, their resolution or avoidance. The subject of the research are common factors underlying coping strategies of a complex object — school performance in older adolescents (158 older adolescents aged 15–17 years with different levels of academic achievement). The study used data of the student’s electronic diary and questionnaire “Methods of coping behavior”. According to the results of the Wilcoxon criterion, the choice of coping behavior strategy in older adolescence is not determined by the gender or age of the subject of activity. A similar situation was obtained with respect to academic performance indicators. The explanation of the lack of influence of gender and age on academic performance can be explained by the cumulative score on this very “school intellectual success”, which levels the differences between individual subgroups in individual subjects. The results of factor analysis indicate groups (styles) of coping strategies based on their “passivity”, and at the same time — “emotionality” and “activity”, coupled with a preference for rationality with elements of meta-analytical abilities, their social/individualistic and problematic oriented focus. Moreover, cognitive abilities are interrelated with problem-oriented coping strategies

Mindfulness-integrated cognitive behavioral therapy: Is it effective on stress coping strategies in women with multiple sclerosis?

Background:Patients with chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer more from psychiatric consequences than others, and their quality of life may be drastically affected, causing syndromes like depression and anxiety. Mindfulness-integrated cognitive behavioral therapy (Mi-CBT) seems to improve stress coping strategies in chronically ill patients, but its effectiveness has been little studied in MS. So, in this study, we aimed to assess its effectiveness on stress coping strategies in women suffering from MS in Mazandaran province, Iran.Methods: In this semi-experimental study, we selected 40 women with MS who had been referred to a neurologist in Mazandaran province, Iran during the year 2016 by convenient sampling and randomly assigned to the Mi-CBT and control group with a one-to-one ratio. Patients in the intervention group were under treatment for eight 120-minutes session, while the control group only stayed on the waiting list. After obtaining the ethics committee’s approval (IR.IAU.CHALUS.REC.1397.018) and patient’s informed consent, both groups underwent a pre-test assessment with a stress status questionnaire developed by Endler and Parker in 1988. The same assessment was done for both groups two times more, one after compilation of all sessions, and one 45 days later. Repeated measures analysis of variance was done using SPSS Version 24 software.Results:There was a difference between intervention and the control group for avoidance-oriented, and problem-oriented stress coping strategies (p<0.01), but there was not a significant difference for emotion-oriented strategy between groups (P=0.22).Conclusion:MiCBT is effective in improving stress coping strategies in women with MS, and overall mental health.