Psychological Coping Research Articles

70 Implementation of nurse facilitated, structured, post-event clinical debriefs in four neonatal intensive care units using the INFO model

Abstract Background Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) often experience acute clinical events. Post-event team debriefs can reinforce success, identify areas for improvement, and improve healthcare providers’ (HCP) psychological coping. However, barriers exist to successful debriefs, and poor debriefs can increase HCP stress. Objectives To implement and evaluate structured post-event clinical debriefs for NICUs within a regional neonatal program. Design/Methods We assembled a multi-disciplinary implementation team, adapted an existing tool (INFO Clinical Debriefing Tool), and identified champions for each site (2 level 2 NICUs, 1 level 3 perinatal NICU, and 1 level 4 surgical NICU). A REDCap database, debrief triggers, feedback process for recommendations to quality improvement leads and frontline HCPs were developed. We chose charge nurses as facilitators as they were consistently present but were not team leads. Facilitators were trained in 2-hour Zoom sessions with a didactic presentation followed by simulated debriefing practice. Debriefs were then started and tracked. A post-implementation survey was conducted at 6 months. Results Eighty-one HCPs responded to the pre survey, identifying time stress and skill / availability of facilitators as main barriers. Most nurses (75%) were comfortable participating in debriefs; this approached 100% in other disciplines. However, there were negative experiences reported. (Table 1) Ninety-five debriefs were conducted in 6 months; 50% were delivery room resuscitations, 14% were in-unit events. Median 7 (IQR 5-8) HCPs attended; 85% had 3 or more disciplines attending. Most (81%) were led by trained facilitators, with 80% led by nurses or respiratory therapists. Debriefs took a median 12 minutes (IQR 8-17), and generated recommendations for improvements to equipment, team communication, and processes. Two sites had more success with uptake, facilitated by consistent presence of champions. Barriers to implementation included: availability of trained facilitators, time constraints, competing unit priorities. The post survey (85 responses) showed a positive view of INFO debriefs. Most respondents (88%) had participated in at least 1 debrief; of these 76% report positive / very positive experience, 76% thought team members always had the chance to speak up, and 78% felt the INFO process provided an effective mechanism for communicating concerns. Participants still listed time pressure as the main barrier.(Table 2) Conclusion Nurse-led, structured post-event clinical debriefs can be implemented in NICUs and are positively viewed by participants. NICUs experience implementation barriers that need to be considered.

Ethnic origin of Israeli Jews and psychological responses to the extreme stress of the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza

IntroductionDiscrimination constitutes a source of stress for minority groups, leading to heightened levels of depression. Discrimination can also elicit positive responses aimed at reducing detrimental impacts. The stress experienced by minority groups may impact their mindset and influence their negative emotional responses. Israeli Jewish society comprised for many years two large communities: the dominant Ashkenazi people, who emigrated from East Europe, and the Mizrahi discriminated minority whose members came from Muslim countries. The Mizrahi minority has become a mainstream community over time, and its size equals the Ashkenazi group. This change raises an interesting issue that has not been investigated empirically: What characterizes the psychological responses to the stress of a formerly discriminated minority?MethodsTwo representative samples responded to a similar questionnaire measuring inhibiting and bolstering coping strategies. The first sample of 930 people participated in this structured survey between October 12 and 19, 2022. No external adversity threatened Israel at that time. The second sample of 1,608 Israeli Jews participated between October 11 and 17, 2023, a few days after Hamas attacked the southern region of Israel, killed more than a 1,000 people, and kidnapped 100. We examine the impact of moderate and extreme stress of war on the maladaptive levels of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, we investigated the shielding psychological coping measures of this former minority, as compared to Ashkenazi group’s response.ResultsResults show that the formerly minority Mizrahi group expresses higher levels of depression, anxiety, and sense of danger under extreme stress compared to the Ashkenazi group. Mizrahi individuals compensated concurrently for these negative emotions by fostering enhanced hope and societal resilience compared to the other group.DiscussionThe main contributions of the present study are (a) Demonstration that psychological responses of descendants of a minority group to highly stressful conditions do not necessarily agree with their current status as a mainstream community. (b) Indicating that the phenomenon of concurrently enhanced negative and positive responses in face of extreme stress is associated with ethnic origin and history. (c) Associating the effects of different socio-demographic variables with the psychological response of the investigated groups to extreme and moderate stress.

Psychological conditions of caregivers of adult subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome

BackgroundPrader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder. Individuals with PWS face a range of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional challenges that require comprehensive and lifelong care, posing significant demands on their caregivers. The study is not only aimed to assess the psychological conditions of caregivers of adult subjects with PWS focusing on psychological distress and coping, but also to shed light on a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of healthcare. This study aims to compare the psychological well-being of individuals with PWS and their caregivers, providing valuable insights that can potentially improve the quality of care for these individuals. The sample recruited at the Division of Auxology, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, was composed of 30 adult subjects with PWS (11 men and 19 women; mean age ± SD: 36.4 ± 10.31 years; mean Body Mass Index (BMI): 35.7 ± 8.92: kg/m2) and their caregivers (10 men and 20 women). To assess the psychological condition of caregivers, the Italian-validated versions of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Coping Orientation to the Problems Experiences (COPE) were used, while to assess the psychological well-being of individuals with PWS and their caregivers, the Italian validated version of the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) was used.ResultsDepression (p < 0.001), Stress (p = 0.050), and Total score (p = 0.009) of DASS 21 were higher in the caregivers of subjects with PWS than in the general population. PGWBI scores of caregivers were significantly lower than in individuals with PWS in Positive Well-being (p < 0.001), General Health (p = 0.006), Vitality (p = 0.004), and the total score (p = 0.006). The depression subscale of PGWBI was higher in caregivers than in subjects with PWS. Correlations between the subscales of COPE and the total score of PGWBI in caregivers revealed that the Avoidance subscale of COPE had a negative significant correlation with the total score of PGWBI (p = 0.003).ConclusionsOur results highlighted several critical insights into the profound emotional and psychological challenges faced by the caregivers of individuals with PWS.

A Qualitative Exploration on Psychological Stressors and Coping Mechanisms in Medical Laboratory Personnel

Healthcare professionals, particularly those working in high-stress environments like hospitals, are frequently exposed to significant psychological challenges. This study explores the psychological stressors and coping mechanisms of medical laboratory personnel at the People's Hospital of Keyouqianqi, Inner Mongolia, China. Using a qualitative research design, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 participants, focusing on their experiences of stress and the strategies they use to manage it. The findings reveal that the most significant stressors include high workloads, time pressure, the responsibility for diagnostic accuracy, and interpersonal conflicts within the workplace. Additionally, personal and social stressors, such as balancing work with family responsibilities, further compounded their stress levels. Participants employed a variety of coping mechanisms, both problem-focused and emotion-focused, with effective strategies including building strong professional relationships, engaging in physical activities, and practicing mindfulness. However, some participants resorted to ineffective coping strategies, such as avoidance behaviors and unhealthy habits, which often exacerbated their stress. This study highlights the complex interplay between individual coping strategies and the cultural and institutional context in which these professionals operate. The findings have important implications for practice and policy, offering insights into how healthcare institutions can better support the mental health and well-being of their staff.

The rhetoric of norm evasion and its social psychological underpinnings: The case of colonial redress

Abstract The growing focus on the agency of norm violators has led to new insights on various rhetorical strategies that states accused of norm violation deploy. However, few studies have simultaneously examined both specific rhetorical devices that enable norm evasion and their social psychological underpinnings. Building on International Relations (IR) research on norm evasion and social psychological research on in-group wrongdoings, this paper conceptualises states’ rhetoric of norm evasion as a social psychological coping strategy: aimed at protecting in-group esteem. Empirically, the paper offers a systematic analysis of Japan’s rhetoric of norm evasion regarding its colonial and wartime past, as well as its social psychological underpinnings. Five rhetorical strategies of norm evasion are identified: (1) claiming legality, (2) claiming the inapplicability of relevant treaties, (3) claiming the inapplicability of relevant norms, (4) equivocating, and (5) citing non-disparagement pledges. These strategies, as well as the psychological disengagement they enable, have culminated in the promotion of non-remembrance, or behavioural manifestations of norm regress.

How delusions can uncover sources of harm and pathology: The epistemic value of interoceptive and unconscious information

Prevailing views of delusional beliefs frame them as pathological and harmful, leaving little room for understanding why delusions may emerge. Lisa Bortolotti’s book, “Why Delusions Matter,” offers a more compassionate perspective on delusions, framing them as adaptive and meaningful responses to crises. Many psychologists and philosophers have asserted that delusions can function as psychological defense mechanisms or adaptive coping strategies that protectively obscure painful realities. However, some delusions, especially those that arise in the context of traumatic experiences and psychosis, can be better understood as the body’s attempt to alert us to sources of harm and reveal, rather than obscure, important information. Drawing from neuroscience literature and the author’s personal encounters with psychosis and trauma, this article explores the ways in which some delusions can help us access interoceptive information from the body, uncovering sources of pathology, as well as previously unconscious information about harmful traumatic experiences. Ultimately, taking an epistemic justice lens to delusions, uplifts their value in revealing very real embodied experiences of the individual expressing them.

A qualitative study of psychological stress and coping among persons using crack cocaine

BackgroundResearch has identified a strong link between stress and drug use behaviours. Also, it has been established that the prolonged use of crack cocaine stimulates emotional, cognitive, neurological and social changes. This paper explores the psychological stressors that occur from crack cocaine use and the coping mechanisms used to mitigate them. This will provide an understanding of the intricate relationship between substance use and psychological well-being.MethodologyThe study is qualitative and uses a descriptive phenomenological approach. The coping circumplex model is the theoretical model that underpins the study. Data was collected through 26 face-to-face in-depth semi-structured interviews with people who use crack cocaine. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants consisted of 15 males and 11 females between the ages of 24–57 years, guaranteeing multiplicity within the study sample.ResultsCravings, financial burdens, relationship breakdown and emotional /cognitive stimulation were revealed as psychological stressors. Maladaptive coping which includes self-harm, isolation, not speaking about/not dealing with emotions and using substances were adopted by study participants. Also, positive coping such as seeking help and keeping busy were adopted by study participants. Social and environmental factors such as stigma, easy accessibility of crack and flashbacks served as barriers to positive coping. Positive coping was linked to the availability and easy accessibility to social support and strong family bonds, underlining the importance of accessible support systems in managing the challenges linked with crack cocaine use.ConclusionThe challenges faced by study participants in coping with the psychological stressors linked to their crack cocaine use highlight the importance of adopting personalised and comprehensive strategies to tackle the intricate dynamics between psychological stress, coping and crack cocaine use.

Decoding occupational well-being of teachers: does psychological capital and coping mechanism impact perceived stress?

Decoding occupational well-being of teachers: does psychological capital and coping mechanism impact perceived stress?

Personal Resources for Psychological Well-Being in University Students: The Roles of Psychological Capital and Coping Strategies.

In recent years, research has noted the increasing prevalence of mental health problems among university students. The current mental health needs of the university population, along with the multitude of stressors they face, have increased the importance of examining their psychological well-being and determining the personal resources that effectively promote it. In this context, the present research aims to analyze the roles of psychological capital (PsyCap) and coping strategies as personal resources that are significantly related to the psychological well-being (PWB) of university students. Specifically, the mediating roles of various coping strategies (both adaptive and maladaptive) in the relationship between PsyCap and PWB are explored. The study involves 391 university students from Spain. The results show partial mediation effects of adaptive coping strategies (cognitive restructuring and social support) on the relationship between PsyCap and PWB. Likewise, PsyCap is shown to be a direct positive predictor of adaptive coping strategies and PWB, as well as a direct negative predictor of maladaptive coping strategies (self-criticism). Therefore, it is concluded that PsyCap and some adaptive coping strategies serve as valuable personal resources that predict PWB in university students. PsyCap is also associated with a lower tendency to engage in maladaptive coping strategies, such as self-criticism. Similarly, the use of cognitive restructuring and/or social support is related to high levels of PWB among university students.

Evaluation of a multicomponent positive psychology program to prevent gaming disorder and enhance mental wellness in primary pupils: A randomized controlled trial.

Gaming disorder (GD) is a prevalent and complex issue that has recently been recognized as a condition that impairs mental health, underscoring the urgent need for early prevention measures. This evaluation study examined the effectiveness of the Digital Netizen Alliance (D.N.A.) program, a new multicomponent positive psychology program for preventing GD and bolstering mental wellness among Chinese children. Drawing on gamification and positive psychology principles, the program builds four key positive skills collectively referred to as the P-A-G-E framework: psychological resilience, active coping, growth mindset, and emotion regulation. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 264 primary school pupils attending fourth, fifth, or sixth grade in Hong Kong (63% female; mean age = 10.83, SD = 1.18). The findings revealed that participation in the program effectively promoted active coping, a growth mindset, and emotion regulation. Moreover, program participation alleviated GD symptoms and reduced negative affect. These desirable changes were fullyexplained by the P-A-G-E framework. The new D.N.A. program, which cultivates the positive psychology skills specified in the P-A-G-E framework, facilitates favorable psychological changes among children. These results emphasize the importance of using multicomponent frameworks for interventions targeting GD prevention.

Psychological Wellbeing and Coping Strategies of ADHD Child Caregivers

Psychological Wellbeing and Coping Strategies of ADHD Child Caregivers

Changes in Psychological Challenges, Positive Experiences, and Coping Strategies among International Students in the United States before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.

The purpose of this study was to understand how the challenges and coping strategies among international students in the United States changed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a qualitative study through one-on-one in-depth interviews during April-June 2021. A total of 34 international students in the San Francisco Bay Area participated in this study. NVivo was used to analyze the qualitative data. Before COVID-19, the challenges were primarily related to a sense of belonging, such as culture shock, language barriers, and loss of identity. However, some positive experiences from school life and new culture were also found before COVID-19. During the pandemic, students faced difficulties with online learning and lockdown protocols that they had never experienced before. The ongoing challenges before and during COVID-19 were identity crisis, racism and discrimination, and financial struggles. Common coping strategies for overcoming these difficulties included engaging in physical activity, social exposure, self-improvement, and mental self-care. The frequency of online engagement and motivation for self-improvement were particularly highlighted during COVID-19. However, international students expressed a preference for improved support systems, including financial aid, paid research opportunities, and more accessible campus resources. Future research could focus on the strategies to support the psychological well-being of international students in coping with unexpected situations, such as disease outbreaks.

Self-management needs, strategies and support for individuals with sickle cell disease in developing countries: a scoping review

IntroductionSickle cell disease (SCD) poses a significant global health burden, particularly affecting individuals in developing countries with constrained healthcare resources. While research on self-management in the context of SCD is...

Maintaining psychological well-being when living at risk of Huntington's disease: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Living at risk of a genetically inherited disease can be a challenging experience causing psychological distress as well as the possibility of the genetic disease leading to physical health problems. Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic, neurodegenerative condition. It causes motor dysfunction, cognitive decline and, during the progression of the disease, different psychological difficulties are common. A total of 12 participants living at risk of HD were interviewed and interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology was used to understand their experiences of maintaining psychological well-being. This resulted in three themes: (1) "you're constantly in limbo": living in two worlds; (2) "I have to live, just bloody live": managing the possibility of a time-limited lifespan; and (3) "I try and try my hardest to look past the disease": the exhausting quest to keep living well. The findings indicated a need for improved knowledge within professional settings, such as for family doctors, counselors, and other health professionals, specific strategies that genetic counselors can use to support this group, and provision of accessible support and implementation of systemic interventions that would offer support for psychological coping strategies and communication around well-being to the individual and their family unit. Future research could contribute to the formation of such knowledge and the provision of HD-aligned services to help support the psychological well-being of people living at risk of HD.

Experienced financial toxicity among long-term cancer survivors: results from a national cross-sectional survey.

Financial toxicity, the subjective distress caused by objective financial burden, significantly impacts cancer survivors. Yet, enduring effects on survivors remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the experienced objective financial burden and subjective financial distress in long-term cancer survivors. A cross-sectional nationwide online survey of adult cancer survivors ≥ 5y after diagnosis were analyzed. Objective financial burden was measured via extra expenses and income loss, while subjective financial distress covered psychological well-being, coping and support-seeking behavior, and financial concerns. Groups were compared (i.e., having cancer vs. former patients) by t-tests and chi-squared tests. Financial toxicity was visualized with Sankey plots and sunburst diagrams. 4,675 respondents completed the survey, of whom 2,391 (51%) were ≥ 5y after their cancer diagnosis. Among them, 75% experienced income loss and/or extra expenses after diagnosis. One-third of the previously employed respondents relied on work disability benefits. Further, 'being unable to make ends meet' increased from 2% before diagnosis to 13% ≥ 5y after diagnosis (p < .001). Additionally, 58% reported negative psychological impacts of financial toxicity, and 47% worried about their financial future. Cancer survivors often face income loss and additional expenses, leading to ongoing financial difficulties that affect their psychological well-being. Despite this significant impact, there is a lack of guidance and support to help them manage these financial challenges. These findings highlight the need for healthcare professionals to recognize and address the financial challenges. This study underscores the widespread financial challenges cancer survivors encounter, emphasizing the need for ongoing financial support and comprehensive assessments of their physical and psychological well-being.

Comparative Analysis of Performance Anxiety and Aggression in Swimmers and Para swimmers

Background: This study compares performance anxiety and aggression between female swimmers and female para-swimmers. It aims to identify significant differences and provide recommendations for enhanced psychological support for both groups. Objective: To compare and analyse performance anxiety and aggression levels between para and able-bodied swimmers, identify key contributing factors, and develop recommendations for improved psychological support and coping strategies for both groups. Method: This study involved a total of 50 national-level subjects, consisting of 25 female swimmers and 25 female para-swimmers, to identify previously unknown psychological drawbacks. All participants were aged between 18 and 30 years. Tests were administered to assess psychological variables including Aggression and Competitive State Anxiety as well as influencing factors in their sports careers. Result: The analysis revealed that female swimmers had significantly higher levels of aggression (M = 80.04, SD = 14.72) and competitive state anxiety (M = 19.35, SD = 3.01) compared to female para-swimmers, who had lower scores in both areas (aggression: M = 72.04, SD = 13.77; anxiety: M = 17.08, SD = 5.91). T-tests showed significant differences in aggression (t = 2.02, p = 0.048) and anxiety (t = 2.99, p = 0.004) between the two groups, indicating that female swimmers experience higher levels of both psychological variables than female para-swimmers. Conclusion: Female swimmers show significantly higher levels of aggression and competitive state anxiety compared to female para-swimmers. These findings highlight the need for targeted psychological support to address these elevated levels and improve overall athlete well-being and performance.

Heart Transplantation and Left Ventricular Assist Devices: Long-Term Prognosis and Effects on Mental Health.

Heart transplantation and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have emerged as crucial interventions for end-stage heart failure, dramatically improving patient outcomes. This narrative review examines their historical context, indications, procedures, and outcomes, as well as their impact on long-term survival, quality of life, functional status, and mental health. While heart transplantation remains the optimal treatment, donor scarcity limits its application. LVADs have become a viable alternative, either as a bridge to transplantation or as destination therapy. Both interventions demonstrate similar long-term survival rates and significant improvements in health-related quality of life and functional status. However, they present distinct long-term management challenges, including immunosuppression needs for transplant recipients and device-related issues for LVAD patients. Mental health effects are considerable, necessitating psychological support and adaptive coping strategies. Complications such as infection, bleeding, and thrombosis remain concerns for both interventions. Patient selection criteria, technological advancements, and long-term management strategies are critical factors in optimizing outcomes. Future research should focus on device miniaturization, enhanced biocompatibility, and less invasive insertion techniques to further advance these therapies and improve patient care in end-stage heart failure.

Psychological resilience, resilient coping, and health behaviors among adults in Puerto Rico after multiple adverse events

Objective: Residents of Puerto Rico have recently experienced multiple adverse events, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and political unrest. Such adversity is associated with worse mental and physical health. Psychological resilience and effective coping may mitigate these relations by fostering positive health behaviors, like consuming a high-quality diet and being physically active. However, empirical evidence for these relationships is limited. Methods: We assessed psychological resilience,resilientcoping, and health behaviorsamong two groups of adults in Puerto Rico, before and during the pandemic, in 2019–2023 (total N = 1,342). Resilience andresilientcoping were assessed using the Brief Resilience Scale and Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Diet quality was defined by the AlternateHealthy Eating Index from a food frequency questionnaire. We collected data on sleep, physical activity, alcohol intake, and tobacco use using validated questionnaires. Results: Adjusting for confounders, higher resilience z-scores were associated with being in the highest category of diet quality [OR: 1.25, 95 % CI: 1.04, 1.50]; getting 7–8 h of sleep per night [OR: 1.15, 95 % CI: 1.02,1.30]; and reporting moderate or heavy physical activity (vs. light or sedentary) [OR: 1.17, 95 % CI: 1.02,1.34]. The same patterns were observed for higher resilientcopingz-scores, and for categorical measures of resilience and resilient coping. These relationships were stronger among participants interviewed during (vs. before) the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that resilience andresilientcoping may be particularly relevant during an ongoing stressor. Conclusion: Identifying supportive strategies to cultivate resilience and effective coping mechanisms may contribute to healthier behaviors, particularly in a vulnerable population.

Compassion, stress and coping strategies in family caregivers of patients with heart failure

The requirements of caring for individuals with diseases with excess care burden like heart failure (HF) comprise a source of stress for the caregiver. This situation affects the health of caregivers and may cause a reduction in their level of compassion. However, compassion is associated with psychological benefits and coping strategies like positive mood in caregivers.The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between compassion, coping strategies and stress levels of family members caring for individuals with HF. We found that the dysfunctional coping strategies were determined to play a partial mediating role in the relationship between caregiver compassion levels and stress levels. Caregivers with higher compassion levels reported lower stress levels. This situation may be linked to their use of relatively fewer dysfunctional coping strategies. Findings help to examine the correlations between compassion, coping strategies and stress levels of family members caring for individuals with HF.

Effects of generational age on religious coping and psychological outcomes in females exposed to interpersonal violence.

This study seeks to examine the psychological outcomes and religious coping styles of women who are exposed to IpV as it relates to generational differences. A national stratified convenience sample of women in the United States (N = 1,165) was recruited online using the Qualtrics crowdsourcing service. Participants (n = 538) who reported having experienced interpersonal violence (i.e., sexual assault, physical assault, assault with a weapon) were designated as the IpV group. Those (n = 627) who reported no exposure to these events were designated as a no IpV comparison group (Non-IpV). Several two-way analyses of variance revealed that there was a statistically significant interaction between generations and IpV for depression, F(2, 1159) = 3.78, p = .023, anxiety, F(2, 1159) = 4.77, p = .009, stress, F(2, 1159) = 4.10, p = .017, and positive religious coping, F(2, 1,159) = 3.57, p = .028. These results suggest that generational differences may exist in psychological outcomes and RS coping in women who have experienced IpV compared to comparison groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).