Use Of Maladaptive Coping Strategies Research Articles

The Role of Hopelessness in Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder.

The goal of this study was to evaluate specific characteristics associated with hopelessness, potentially correlated with coping strategies, sensory profile, and alexithymia in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Two hundred twenty-four (N=224) inpatients completed a clinical interview with administration of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP), the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). Hopelessness was significantly associated with female gender, more hospitalizations, current suicidal ideation, number of suicide attempts, current and lifetime medication abuse, and alcohol misuse. Furthermore, patients with BHS ≥ 9 had higher scores in low registration, sensory sensitivity and sensation avoiding in AASP, higher rate of alexithymia, and the use of maladaptive coping strategies. Hopelessness in BPD was associated with higher severity of illness, alternative process sensory input from the environment, reduced ability to cope with stressful events, and alexithymia. Therefore, a routine assessment of hopelessness in patients with BPD could lead to better and more specific therapeutic strategies.

Analysis of the moderator effect of overstimulation on the relationships between indicators of health-related quality of life, extraversion and maladaptive coping strategies in people with sensory processing sensitivity

People with sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), when overstimulated, feel overwhelmed, stressed, and in need of social withdrawal, rest, and reestablishing balance in the nervous system. This study focuses on analyzing the moderator effect of overstimulation on health-related quality of life (mental health, vitality, and body pain), extraversion, and maladaptive coping strategies in people with SPS. Participants (N = 10,520 adults) completed the Spanish versions of the High Sensitivity Person Scale (HSPS-S), Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI). Participants with high overstimulation levels were observed to have a worse quality of life related to health, greater introversion, and a tendency to use more maladaptive coping strategies. Furthermore, two of the health-related quality of life indicators, mental health and vitality, occupy a central position in the relationships between variables; there was a negative relationship between mental health and active maladaptive coping strategies, as well as between extraversion and nonactive maladaptive coping strategies. Lastly, the level of overstimulation was not identified as an indicator that differentially influences its relationship with the study variables. These findings demonstrate the need to use prevention and clinical intervention programs that address mental health and vitality, as well as introversion and the use of maladaptive coping strategies in people with high sensitivity.

Systematic Review of the Psychopathological Symptomatology and Neuropsychological Disorders of Chronic Primary Musculoskeletal Pain.

Chronic pain can develop without tissue damage, injury, or underlying illness. There are several intervening biological, psychological, and social factors involved in its appearance that significantly affect the activities of daily life. It is also associated with significant emotional anxiety and/or functional disability. This review systematically analyses works published in the last five years that evaluate the psychopathological symptomatology and neuropsychological disorders of chronic primary musculoskeletal pain (CPMP). A bibliographic search was carried out to identify articles published in English between January 2018 and March 2023 using the Medline, Scopus, PsycInfo, and Pubmed databases. Twenty articles were obtained using the PRISMA selection method. The main results of this study provided evidence of the presence of moderate and severe chronic pain in patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain. This increase in the intensity of pain correlates with greater psychopathological symptomatology, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, lack of attention, and hyperactivity/impulsiveness, as well as the use of maladaptive coping strategies. Furthermore, there exists dysfunction in the cerebral structures related to attention and the processing of pain in patients with CPMP. This review may help to develop and optimise the multidisciplinary treatments adapted to the deficits caused by this illness.

Navigating narcolepsy: exploring coping strategies and their association with quality of life in patients with narcolepsy type 1

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep episodes, disrupted nocturnal sleep, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations, which significantly impact the overall well-being and quality of life of individuals. While psychological factors have gained attention, there is limited research on the coping strategies employed by patients with NT1 and their association with quality of life. This study aimed to compare coping strategies in patients with NT1 and controls, as well as assess the relationship between coping strategies and quality of life in patients with NT1. A total of 122 individuals diagnosed with NT1 and 138 controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed questionnaires assessing coping strategies and health-related quality of life. A Mann–Whitney U test was conducted to compare the use of different coping strategies by patients with NT1 and controls. Spearman's rho correlation was performed to examine the association between coping strategies and quality of life in the NT1 group. Results showed that patients with NT1 exhibited differences in the use of coping strategies compared to controls. They reported lower use of active coping, planning, instrumental, and emotional social support, and higher use of behavioral and mental disengagement. Denial and behavioral disengagement were significantly and negatively associated with quality of life. Identifying coping strategies and their association with quality of life may aid in the development of tailored interventions aimed at improving the adoption of effective coping strategies and reducing the use of maladaptive coping strategies.

Affiliate Stigma Among Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Coping Strategies and Perceived Social Support

Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience stigma due to ASD-related symptoms. However, factors such as coping strategies and perceived social support might impact the affiliate stigma they experience. To date, no research has explored the association between ASD symptom severity and affiliate stigma, considering the role of coping strategies and perceived social support in different cultural contexts. This study aimed to test a hypothesized model in which coping strategies and perceived social support mediate the association between children’s ASD symptom severity and caregivers’ affiliate stigma. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 caregivers of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using structured interviews with eligible caregivers at a developmental and behavioral disorder clinic, five daycare centers, and three schools. The hypothesized model was tested using structural equation modeling. The study found that caregivers of children with ASD reported experiencing affiliate stigma. Additionally, as the severity of children’s ASD symptoms increased, caregivers’ perceptions of affiliate stigma also increased. However, both maladaptive coping strategies and perceived social support mediated this relationship. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing the psychosocial needs of caregivers of children with ASD, particularly by decreasing the use of maladaptive coping strategies and providing social support to minimize their experience of affiliate stigma.

Cognitive, behavioral, and psychological phenotypes in small fiber neuropathy: A case–control study

ObjectiveSmall fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a well-defined chronic painful condition causing severe individual and societal burden. While mood disorders have been described, cognitive and behavioral profiles of SFN patients has not been investigated. MethodsThirty-four painful SFN patients underwent comprehensive cognitive, behavioral, psychological, quality of life (QoL), and personality assessment using validated questionnaires. As control samples, we enrolled 36 patients with painful peripheral neuropathy (PPN) of mixed etiology and 30 healthy controls (HC). Clinical measures of neuropathic pain, duration, frequency, and intensity of pain at the time of assessment were recorded. Between-group and correlation analyses were performed and corrected for multiple comparisons. ResultsNo differences in clinical measures were found between SFN and PPN, and all groups had similar cognitive profiles. SFN patients showed higher levels of anxiety and alexithymia (p < .005) compared to PPN and HC, considering also pain intensity. Maladaptive coping strategies characterized both patient groups, but only SFN revealed higher levels of acceptance of pain (p < .05). Pain intensity and neuropathic symptoms were associated with mood, low QoL and catastrophism (p < .001), particularly, the higher the perceived pain intensity, the higher the use of maladaptive coping strategies (p < .001). The personality assessment revealed significant feelings of worthlessness and somatization traits both in SFN and PPN (p < .002 vs HC). Discussionsour results suggest that SFN patients had a normal-like cognitive profile, while their behavioral profile is characterized by mood disorders, alexithymia, maladaptive coping strategies, and poor QoL, as other chronic pain conditions, possibly related to pain intensity. Personality assessment suggests that somatization and feelings of worthlessness, which may worsen the neuropsychological profile, deserve clinical attention when considering patients' therapeutic approaches. At the same time, the high level of acceptance of pain is promising for therapeutic approaches based on psychological support.

Coping Patterns and Psychosocial Distress in Hemophilia Patients: A Cross-sectional Study from South Gujarat, India

Abstract Introduction: Hemophilia is hereditary genetic disorder with defects in normal blood clotting mechanisms. It is characterized by a chronic course requiring lifelong treatment. Persons with hemophilia (PWH) are known to have significant stress due to socio-occupational impairments caused due to the illness. It affects the treatment outcomes adversely. There are few studies from India that have looked at the factors and prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in this population. Aim: To study coping patterns, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression profiles in adult patients of hemophilia. Materials and Methods: A purposive sample of 52 PWH was collected. We used a semi-structured questionnaire to obtain demographic data, illness profiles, and experience of complications and concerns of the participants. Scales used were Beck’s depression inventory, Anxiety scale, Holmes and Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale scale, and COPE questionnaire. Results: About 41% of the individuals had depression and 26.92% of individuals had trait anxiety. The state-dependent anxiety was seen in 69%. About 50% were found to be susceptible to stress-related illness. The adaptive coping style, namely, problem-focused coping, was associated with lower scores on the screening instruments. The presence of certain complications was associated with higher use of maladaptive coping strategies like the use of emotion and avoidance-focused coping. Conclusions: Considering the impact and morbidity, screening for psychological distress and analysis of coping styles of PWH should be a part of routine care.

The impact of creative arts therapies on emotional speechlessness in cancer: A pilot study

BackgroundMusic (MT) and art therapy (AT) have a positive effect on the regulation of emotions in patients with cancer. Our aim was to investigate whether these creative arts therapies can reduce emotional speechlessness and use of maladaptive coping strategies. MethodsWe conducted a pilot study using a pre-post design with a total of N = 22 patients who received creative arts therapy (MT or AT) and additional interventions for emotional perception and processing. Emotional speechlessness, cancer-specific coping strategies, and subjective benefit and acceptance of the interventions from the patients' perspective were assessed to measure the impact of MT and AT. ResultsA total of 19 patients participated in all assessments, with an average of M = 7.53 therapy sessions. Non-significant results indicated a trend toward a decrease in emotional speechlessness for MT participants and an increase for AT participants. Patients reported positive subjective benefits from interventions and participating in creative arts therapy. ConclusionOur results suggest that interventions focusing on emotional perception and processing in the context of creative arts therapy care can positively influence the reduction of emotional speechlessness and that patients accept this form of therapy.

Determinants of depression and coping strategies among nursing students after the second wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: COVID-19 pandemic led to the emergence of mental health problems such as depression and the use of maladaptive coping strategies among nursing students. This study is planned to assess the prevalence of depression and coping strategies adopted by nursing students after the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among 164 nursing students in a selected nursing institution in a rural area of Northern India. Depression was assessed using the patient health questionnaire-9, whereas coping was assessed by the brief-coping orientation of problem experienced scale. Results: Mean age of the participants was 20.80±2.35 years. The mean depression score of nursing students was 6.43±4.28. Majority of the nursing students had mild depression (43.9%) and belonged to the non-depressed group (78.7%) with a PHQ-9 score &lt;9. Maladaptive coping mechanisms were chiefly utilized by male nursing students. Coping mechanisms substance use (β=0.223, p&lt;0.013) had more impact on depression, after controlling for sociodemographic variables and COVID-19-related information of nursing students. Conclusions: Minimal or mild depression is common among nursing students after the second wave of the unprecedented pandemic with adaptive coping strategies more commonly used.

Coping as a Mediator between Attachment and Depressive Symptomatology Either in Pregnancy or in the Early Postpartum Period: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach.

Peripartum depression (PPD) is a major complication of pregnancy, and numerous risk factors have been associated with its onset, including dysfunctional coping strategies and insecure attachment styles, both during pregnancy and postpartum. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of coping strategies in mediating the relationship between women's attachment style and depressive symptomatology in pregnancy and one week after giving birth in a large sample of women (N = 1664). Our hypothesis was that the relationship between anxious and avoidant attachment and depressive symptomatology would be mediated by use of maladaptive coping strategies. The assessment instruments were Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Brief Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences (COPE), and Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR). The results indicated that the effect of insecure attachment styles (anxious and avoidant attachment) on antepartum depressive symptomatology was partially mediated by dysfunctional coping styles. Anxious attachment also has an indirect significant effect on postpartum depressive symptomatology through emotional coping; however, avoidant attachment does not seem to be significantly related to postpartum depressive symptoms. Our findings revealed that not only is it important to consider attachment in understanding peripartum depressive symptomatology, but also that coping plays an important role in these relationships. These findings would help a preventive coping-based intervention strategy to enhance the capacity of women with insecure attachment styles to use more adaptive coping during and after pregnancy.

Personality Traits and Coping Strategies as Psychological Factors Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Highly Sensitive Persons

Sensory-Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is the reactivity to different stimuli that occurs in some people with sufficient intensity to cause interference in daily life. There are not many previous studies that determine the influence of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies on health-related quality of life through indicators of mental (anxiety and depression) and physical (vitality) health and functioning in their lives in different contexts (emotional role functioning). In this sense, contexts that promote the use of successful stress-coping strategies are related to the presence of positive mental health outcomes. This study focuses on the analysis of indicators of health-related quality of life in people with SPS in relation to certain personality traits and coping strategies. Participants (N = 10,525) completed HSPS-S, NEO-FFI, CSI, and SF-36. Differences were observed between men and women. Differences indicated that women had higher SPS scores compared to men and poorer health-related quality of life. The results showed significant relationships with the three indicators of health-related quality of life. Finally, it is confirmed that neuroticism and the use of maladaptive coping strategies act as risk factors, whereas extraversion, conscientiousness, and adaptive coping strategies act as protective factors. These findings highlight the need to develop prevention programs for highly sensitive persons.

Age Matters: The Moderating Effect of Age on Styles and Strategies of Coping with Stress and Self-Esteem in Patients with Neoplastic Prostate Hyperplasia

The aim of this study was to analyze coping mechanisms and their psychological aspects during the treatment of neoplastic prostate hyperplasia. We have analyzed strategies and styles of coping with stress and self-esteem of patients diagnosed with neoplastic prostate hyperplasia. A total of 126 patients were included in the study. Standardized psychological questionnaires were used to determine the type of coping strategy by using the Stress Coping Inventory MINI-COPE, while a coping style questionnaire was used to assess the type of coping style by using the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS). The SES Self-Assessment Scale was used to measure the level of self-esteem. Patients using adaptive strategies of coping with stress in the form of active coping, seeking support and planning had higher self-esteem. However, the use of maladaptive coping strategies in the form of self-blame was found to cause a significant decrease in patients' self-esteem. The study has also shown the choice of a task-based coping style to positively influence one's self-esteem. An analysis related to patients' age and coping methods revealed younger patients, up to 65 years of age, using adaptive strategies of coping with stress to have a higher level of self-esteem than older patients using similar strategies. The results of this study show that older patients, despite the use of adaptation strategies, have lower self-esteem. This group of patients should receive special care both from family and medical staff. The obtained results support the implementation of holistic care for patients, using psychological interventions to improve patients' quality of life. Early psychological consultation and mobilization of patients' personal resources may allow patients to change stress coping methods towards more adaptive forms.

The effectiveness of group intervention focused on intolerance of uncertainty on psychological distress and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-course incurable disease as well as an unknown prognosis causing patients to experience a variety of psychological outcomes. Meanwhile, inability to control the disease-related uncertainty leads to the use of maladaptive coping strategies, causing more psychological distress. This study investigated the effectiveness of intervention focused on the intolerance of uncertainty on psychological distress and quality of life in MS patients. This research adopted a true experimental design. All phases of the study were conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2021 in Tehran. The statistical population of the study was purposefully selected from among MS patients and was randomly assigned to three groups of 20: IU intervention and two control groups (cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and treatment as usual (TAU) groups). The study included pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages. The outcome measures of the study included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) as well as Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54). Mixed analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. The results showed that IU intervention compared to CBT, is more effective on psychological distress (depression P = 0.006, anxiety P = 0.01, and stress P = 0.01) and quality of life (P = 0.001) in MS patients. Nonetheless, IU-focused intervention is more effective than TAU on psychological distress (depression P = 0.0001, anxiety P = 0.0001, stress P = 0.0001) as well as quality of life (P = 0.0001) in these patients. IU-based intervention can reduce psychological distress and improve quality of life of MS patients. Accepting uncertainty can reduce the anxiety and stress of MS patients which can increase the quality of life of these patients.

Resilience, Coping Strategies, and Stress Related to Online Diploma Exam in University Students in Poland

The present study investigated the association between resilience, coping strategies and stress related to online diploma exam under COVID-19 pandemic conditions. Sample of Polish university students (n = 453) in the last year of their bachelor’s or master’s completed a questionnaire containing questions about stress related to online diploma exam and experiencing difficulties relatedto studying online and scales: Questionnaire (KOP-26) by Gąsior, Chodkiewicz, Ciechowski, the Polish version of COPE by Wrześniewski, Sense of Stress Questionnaire (KPS) by Plopa and Makarowski. The results showed that higher resilience was associated with lower levels of onlinediploma exam stress, more frequent use of adaptive coping strategies and less frequent use of maladaptive coping strategies. Lower levels of online diploma exam stress were associated with more frequent use of coping strategies such as focus on the problem, humour and alcohol/drugideation, and less frequent use of focus on/venting emotions. The relationship between resilience and online diploma exam stress was shown to be mediated by two coping strategies (focus on the problem and focus on/ venting of emotions). Generalized sense of stress was not a moderator of the mediating effect. The results of the study have shown that the relationship between resilience, coping strategies, online diploma exam stress and sense of stress was different in students who experienced online study difficulties and those who did not.

Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 Pandemic Period in the European Population: An Institutional Challenge.

The worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2 has been responsible for an infectious pandemic, with repercussions on socio-economic aspects and on the physical and mental health of the general population. The present systematic review aimed to evaluate the data belonging to the European framework, analyzing the population by age group. Original articles and reviews on the state of mental health of the general European population have been researched starting from 2021. Initially, a total of 1764 studies were found, among which a total of 75 were selected. Youth were the age group most affected by pandemic consequences on mental health, with emotional and behavioral alterations observed from a third to more than a half of children and adolescents examined. Among both adolescents and adults, the female gender had a higher prevalence of psychopathological symptoms. The main risk factors were poor social support, economic difficulties, and, in particular, unemployment or job changes. Additional individual risk factors were the perception of loneliness, the presence of pre-pandemic mental illness/distress, and some personality traits, such as neuroticism, impulsiveness, and the use of maladaptive coping strategies. Unexpectedly, the elderly maintained good resilience towards change, even if a stress factor was represented by the feeling of loneliness and poor social contact. As regards suicidal behaviors, among adolescents, there was an increase in attempts of 25%, with a greater risk for the female gender. This risk increased also among adults, in association with symptoms of anxiety and depression, and poor socio-environmental conditions. In conclusion, some population groups were found to be at greater risk of psychological burden during pandemic waves, thus representing priority targets for socio-health interventions.

The Interactive Effect of Anxiety Sensitivity and Metacognitive Beliefs on Anxiety.

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) has been identified as a contributing factor to the development and maintenance of anxiety. Individuals with high AS are sensitive to bodily cues and anxiety-related thoughts and often misinterpret these stimuli as catastrophic or dangerous. Similarly, negative and positive metacognitive beliefs (i.e., beliefs about thinking) are believed to increase internal threat monitoring and the use of maladaptive coping strategies, which may increase the impact of AS on anxiety. As such, the purpose of the present study was to examine the moderating role of metacognitive beliefs on the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and anxiety. Adult participants (N = 417), recruited through an online crowdsourcing website, completed a battery of measures assessing the constructs of interest. Results from multiple linear regression indicated that the relationship between AS and anxiety became significantly stronger as negative and positive metacognitive beliefs increased, thus suggesting that negative and positive metacognitive beliefs may exacerbate the effect of AS on anxiety. The development of risk profiles that incorporate AS and negative and positive metacognitive beliefs may be beneficial for early identification of individuals at high risk for the development of anxiety.

The impact of COVID-19 on U.S. adolescents: loss of basic needs and engagement in health risk behaviors.

Across the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic created myriad challenges for youth and families, including losses of basic needs which may be associated with increased use of maladaptive coping behaviors. In a sample of 2491 U.S. youth (ages 13–16), demographic differences in loss of basic needs and maladaptive coping were assessed using regression models. More than 21% of adolescents endorsed losing one or more basic needs (e.g., loss of access to food or shelter) and 83% endorsed use of maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., using drugs or alcohol; self-harming behaviors) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although adolescents with both majority and minority identities reported losing basic needs and engaging in maladaptive coping behaviors, minoritized youth reported more basic needs losses (ps < 0.05) and greater reliance on maladaptive coping strategies (ps < .05) than their non-minoritized peers. Furthermore, adolescents who endorsed losing basic needs were more likely to also endorse engaging in maladaptive coping behaviors (p < .05). Healthcare providers and teachers must consider basic need losses while structuring emotional and behavioral supports for youth during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms during the first and second COVID-19 lockdown in Greece: Rates, risk, and protective factors.

The aim was to (i) compare the rates of perceived stress, post‐traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and other potential correlates (i.e., resilience, social support, coping strategies, and loneliness) in the general population between the two COVID‐19 lockdowns in Greece and (ii) explore risk and protective factors of PTSS. Online data were collected amid the first (timepoint 1‐T1) and second lockdown (timepoint 2‐T2) by 1009 and 352 participants, respectively. The PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 and the Perceived Stress Scale measured levels of PTSS and perceived stress. The Brief Resilience Scale, the COPE, the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument measured resilience, coping strategies, loneliness, and social support, respectively. Higher levels of PTSS and perceived stress were reported during T2, compared to T1. Clinically significant levels of PTSS were presented by 26.1% and 35.5% of the participants during T1 and T2, respectively. Higher levels of loneliness and use of maladaptive coping strategies and lower levels of social support, resilience and use of adaptive coping strategies were also found. During both lockdowns, PTSS were predicted by perceived stress, loneliness, reduced resilience and the coping strategies of denial and self‐blame. PTSS were associated with younger age, female gender, being single, not having children, and the evaluation of the pandemic as a crisis. The findings highlight the significant public mental health concerns during the COVID‐19 lockdowns. Understanding the risk and protective factors against PTSS and focusing on vulnerable populations should be prioritized by the governments worldwide in the development of evidence‐based interventions.

Associations between coping strategies and insomnia: a longitudinal study of Japanese workers.

Study ObjectivesCoping with stress is important because stress disturbs sleep. However, only a few longitudinal studies have investigated the association between coping and insomnia. We examined whether individuals with insomnia symptoms used more maladaptive coping strategies than individuals without insomnia symptoms, and evaluated the association between insomnia symptoms and coping strategies.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, Japanese workers were enrolled and observed over a 2-year period. During both years, self-administered questionnaires on coping and insomnia symptoms were administered. Coping was assessed using the Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced, and insomnia symptoms were examined using the Athens Insomnia Scale. Generalized estimating equation modeling identified the effects of coping strategies on insomnia severity.ResultsIn total, 1358 of 1855 workers at baseline were followed up. Individuals with insomnia symptoms showed a higher use of maladaptive coping strategies and less use of humor and instrumental support than individuals without insomnia symptoms. Active coping, humor, emotional support, and instrumental support were negatively associated with insomnia severity. In contrast, venting, substance use, behavioral disengagement, and self-blame were positively associated with insomnia severity.ConclusionsThis study showed that individuals with insomnia symptoms use both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies and are more likely to use maladaptive strategies than individuals without insomnia symptoms. In the future, interventions focused on educating people about adaptive coping strategies should be conducted to determine whether coping strategies may prevent insomnia symptoms.

Coping strategies adopted by Australian frontline health workers to address psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectivesThe Australian COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers Study investigated coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours, and their relationship to mental health symptoms experienced by Australian healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsAustralian HCWs were invited to participate a nationwide, voluntary, anonymous, single time-point, online survey between 27th August and 23rd October 2020. Complete responses on demographics, home and work situation, and measures of health and psychological wellbeing were received from 7846 participants. ResultsThe most commonly reported adaptive coping strategies were maintaining exercise (44.9%) and social connections (31.7%). Over a quarter of HCWs (26.3%) reported increased alcohol use which was associated with a history of poor mental health and worse personal relationships. Few used psychological wellbeing apps or sought professional help; those who did were more likely to be suffering from moderate to severe symptoms of mental illness. People living in Victoria, in regional areas, and those with children at home were significantly less likely to report adaptive coping strategies. ConclusionsPersonal, social, and workplace predictors of coping strategies and help-seeking behaviour during the pandemic were identified. Use of maladaptive coping strategies and low rates of professional help-seeking indicate an urgent need to understand the effectiveness of, and the barriers and enablers of accessing, different coping strategies.