Ways Of Coping Research Articles

Psychometric properties of the Positive Thinking Skills Scale among undergraduate nursing students

Increasing the resilience of undergraduate nursing students is essential for the individual student's well-being and the healthcare system dealing with a looming nursing shortage. Undergraduate nursing students have reported that positive thinking and positive reframing are ways of coping with exposure to suffering, but measurement of these skills remains limited in this population. This is the first study to examine the psychometric properties of the Positive Thinking Skills Scale specifically in undergraduate nursing students and in a sample that includes students from both public and private universities. Internal consistency was demonstrated with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.824, convergent validity was demonstrated with correlations with measures of views of suffering and professional quality of life, and the one-factor structure was supported in a sample of 157 undergraduate nursing students. The Positive Thinking Skills Scale can be a useful tool to both assess and measure the development of positive thinking skills in undergraduate nursing students.

Tugen culture and art: A critical study of Tugen mother language (form) in preservation of Tugen cultural identity

This paper examines and analyses the use of Tugen's mother language, which is explicitly manifested in both verbal and nonverbal communication. To understand the Tugen culture, it is imperative to examine the deeper and hidden meanings expressed in the use of the Tugen mother language as an integral part of Tugen culture in the preservation of its cultural identity. A superficial use of Tugen's mother language will lead to a misinterpretation of Tugen cultural identity. The study discusses the use of Tugen's mother language in instilling a set standard of behaviour being expressed in art (nonverbal communication, e.g. models, symbolism, magical objects, ceremonial dance, etc.) and beliefs/spiritual, physical, social and ideational environment (verbal communication). This study is intended to enhance knowledge, skills and countless norms guiding people’s way of interactions and coping with the ideational environment by identifying norms affecting knowledge, rituals, ideas, magic, and emotions which are being shared by the Tugen people so as to cope with the various and numerous demands of life. Therefore, the Tugen mother language forms an integral part of the modern educational system. The paper concludes that without a proper understanding of the deeper and hidden use of Tugen's mother language, it will result in the misrepresentation of Tugen culture, and that the proper use of the Tugen mother language will also lead to protection, provision and treatment against the exigencies of life experienced in the physical and spiritual world, especially in handling stressful life challenges to the "known meaningful" worldview of the Tugen people.

Economic Democracy as the The Third Way: History of Cooperativism and Mondragón

The topic of this essay is the perennial problem of the relationship between religion and economics. However, many scholars in religious studies often fail to properly connect religious values and economics. In addition, modern sociological and economic theories that focus on particular abstract aspects of human society exaggerate these abstractions as critical or central features of human existence, but ignore other equally important features. In this context, many communities and groups have been formed to promote grassroots economic interaction and to protect people from an asymmetrical global economy. Among them, the Mondragón Cooperative Corporations in Spain has sought to provide an alternative economic community. The primary purpose of this study is to articulate and analyze the economic ethics underlying the practice of the Mondragón Corporacion Cooperativa, which is owned and governed by workers. Cooperatives such as Mondragón are governed by “Cooperative Principles” that differentiate them from traditional capitalist enterprises. This article examines the worker-owned cooperative movement as an alternative to both monopolistic capitalism and socialism for economic democracy. It examines how Mondragón’s workers and their leader can and should develop their own ways of coping with, confronting, and potentially resisting capitalism in their own local community. It attempts to demystify the dominant, global capitalist economy. This study aims to develop a set of practical strategies for achieving alternative economic ethics.

The Looming Cancer: A Qualitative Study on the Experience of Living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) before the Initiation of Treatment

Purpose. This study aimed to study the challenges and ways of coping with living with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) before the initiation of treatment. Methods. Semistructured interviews were carried out with 8 people living with CLL (4 males and 4 females) who had never received any treatment. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was utilized for the analysis of the data. Results. The following three themes were developed: (1) “Still waters run deep” highlights the contrast between living with minimal symptoms while experiencing high anxiety for the future, (2) “Surviving uncertainty” portrays participants’ supportive networks, communication challenges, and internal coping mechanisms to face the threatening overtones of CLL, and (3) “Turning over a new leaf” delineates participants’ realization of life’s finiteness and the way this acts as a nudge for psychological growth. Conclusion. Despite the limited physical discomfort, the CLL diagnosis and the watch-and-wait phase bring about psychological distress, which drives meaning-making efforts and an array of coping mechanisms, potentially leading to posttraumatic growth processes for people living with CLL.

Illness perceptions in people with chronic and disabling non-specific neck pain seeking primary healthcare: a qualitative study

BackgroundIllness perceptions can affect the way people with musculoskeletal pain emotionally and behaviorally cope with their health condition. Understanding patients illness perceptions may help facilitate patient-centered care. The purpose of this study was to explore illness perceptions and the origin of those perceptions in people with chronic disabling non-specific neck pain seeking primary care.MethodsA qualitative study using a deductive and inductive analytical approach was conducted in 20 people with persistent (> 3 months) and disabling (i.e., Neck Disability Index ≥ 15) neck pain. Using a semi-structured format, participants were interviewed about their illness perceptions according to Leventhal’s Common Sense Model. Purposive sampling and member checking were used to secure validity of study results.ResultsParticipants reported multiple symptoms, thoughts and emotions related to their neck pain, which continuously required attention and action. They felt trapped within a complex multifactorial problem. Although some participants had a broader biopsychosocial perspective to understand their symptoms, a biomedical perspective was dominant in the labelling of their condition and their way of coping (e.g., limiting load, building strength and resilience, regaining mobility, keep moving and being meaningful). Their perceptions were strongly influenced by information from clinicians. Several participants indicated that they felt uncertain, because the information they received was contradictory or did not match their own experiences.ConclusionMost participants reported that understanding their pain was important to them and influenced how they coped with pain. Addressing this ‘sense making process’ is a prerequisite for providing patient-centered care.

Coping Strategies and Burnout Among Medical and Social Workers Providing Services to People with Limited Mobility

INTRODUCTION. The centerpiece of the development of occupational burnout is the individual’s ability to cope with stressful situations.
 AIM. To determine ways to cope with stress among employees of healthcare organizations and social service institutions providing services to low-mobility population groups, as well as to assess the correlations between individual coping strategies and burnout symptoms.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study involved 81 employees of healthcare organizations (group 1) and 88 employees of a social service institution (group 2).
 We used COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory) questionnaire adapted by T.O. Gordeeva et al. to determine ways of coping with stress; Maslach Burnout Questionnaire adapted by N.E. Vodopyanova to determine symptoms of occupational burnout.
 RESULTS. Employees of a social service institution more often than the staff of healthcare organizations had high levels of coping strategies: positive reformulation and personal growth (in 80.7 % and 60.5 % respectively, p = 0.002), active coping (in 76.1 % and 58 %, p = 0.012), planning (in 76.1 % and 53.1 %, p = 0.002). At the same time group 1 representatives 2.1 times more often than group 2 representatives had high values of the integral index of occupational burnout: 50.6 % against 23.9 % (χ2 = 12.997, p 0.001).
 DISCUSSION. Ineffective coping-strategies, correlating with the levels of occupational burnout symptoms, appeared to be concentration on emotions and their active expression, mental disengagement from the problem, behavioural disengagement from the problem, and denial. Among the effective ones are active coping, planning, positive reformulation and personal growth.
 CONCLUSION. Burnout symptoms were more frequent in the surveyed sample of the healthcare workers than in the workers of social service institutions and were associated with insufficiently active use of effective ways of coping with stress.

Diversity and Integration: Exploring the Role of Religion in End-of-Life Care in Rural Gansu Province, China

In the face of death, different ethnic groups have unique coping ways. The physical care and spiritual care for the dying can demonstrate the diversity and particularity of ethnic cultural thought. Taking two villages in the interlaced residential areas inhabited by Han, Tibetan, and Hui ethnic groups in Linxia and Wuwei of Gansu Province as examples, this paper focuses on the presentation and significance of multi-ethnic cultural integration in the process of end-of-life care, with a focus on spiritual care. One main point of this paper is that, although hospice care in the modern medical sense is not really implemented in the vast rural areas of China, local end-of-life care, based on the village medical system and religious rituals, equally plays an important role. This is mainly manifested through the implementation of the Narcotics Card System and the widespread spiritual care. The second main point of this paper is that the form of end-of-life care, which embodies the integration of ethnic cultures, contains a certain degree of nursing functions, while taking into account the spiritual care needed by the dying and the grief consolation needed by the bereaved family. Considering the lack of spiritual care and bereavement management in China’s medical space, the religious approaches to end-of-life care, as delineated in this study, could serve as a source of inspiration for the country’s efforts to integrate hospice services into its healthcare system. In short, compared with Western forms of hospice care, in which modern medicine constitutes the main body, China’s local end-of-life care is more reflected in the diversity and integration of spiritual care for the dying.

Stress Factors and Ways of Coping for Public Relations Professionals in Romania

The purpose of this paper is to investigate stress-related experiences and coping solutions for public relations (PR) professionals, as relevant dimensions related to their well-being, creativity, and outcomes. The framework of the study is linked to the state of the PR profession, its role, and potential developments. It is based on qualitative research, using in-depth semi-structured interviews with seventeen senior professionals in PR from companies in Romania. The thematic analysis revealed, from a top-level professionals’ perspective, that Romanian PR activity is still a very fluid one and its role and value are not yet clearly integrated. This generates important levels of negative stress for PR professionals. Besides that, positive stress is associated to PR activity for enthusiastic PR professionals. The findings underline a series of seven stress factors and three categories of solutions for coping, involving the professionals but also academia, professional bodies, and, eventually, organizations. The authors of this study emphasize the importance of supporting the development of the profession as a premise for more positive working experiences of PR professionals. This can be achieved by precisely using PR tools, to establish a set of clear standards and increase PR literacy for non-PR people, both for the benefit of PR professionals and those who pay for their services. The lack of a coherent framework on the role of PR brings many challenges to the activity of PR professionals. The negative stress they perceive in daily activity is partially an extension of the fragmented and incomplete development of the PR profession, and the multivariate and disconnected pace regarding advances in theory and practice in the field. These must be considered and addressed equally within PR research, training and education, practice, and PR-dedicated associations.

Stress Appraisals and Coping across and within Academic, Parent, and Peer Stressors: The Roles of Adolescents’ Emotional Problems, Coping Flexibility, and Age

The aim of this study was to determine whether adolescents’ emotional problems, coping flexibility, age, and stress appraisals account for ways of coping, which include engagement and disengagement coping, with academic-, parent-, and peer-related stressful events. Stress appraisals were defined as perceived threats to the psychological needs of relatedness, competence, and autonomy. Models were fit at a higher order level, indicated by adolescents’ appraisals and intended ways of coping with stress in three domains (i.e., academic, parent, and peer) and tested at the lower level within each domain. Adolescents (N = 410; age 10–15; Mage = 12.5; 50% girls) reported their emotional problems (combined depressive and anxiety symptoms) and coping flexibility six months prior to completing an analogue task. The task involved viewing six short film clips portraying stressful events (e.g., obtaining a worse than expected exam grade or arguing with a parent) and reporting three stress appraisals and eight ways of coping after each stressor. The ways of coping were analyzed as four composite scores reflecting engagement coping (active coping, self-reliance) or disengagement coping (withdrawal coping, helplessness). In structural equation models, adolescents who appraised more threat reported more withdrawal coping and helplessness but also more active coping and self-reliance. Adolescents with more emotional problems appraised more threat and anticipated using less constructive ways of coping, whereas adolescents higher in coping flexibility intended to use more constructive ways of coping, with these associations sufficiently modeled at the general (across stress domains) level. Improvement in the model fit was found when appraised threat–coping associations were modeled at the lower (specific stressor domain) level, suggesting differences by stressor domain. Age was associated with more self-reliance and helplessness, with self-reliance being specific to parent stressors and helplessness specific to peer stressors.

Diet in Prevention and Treatment of Endometriosis: Current State of Knowledge.

Endometriosis (EM) is a chronic gynecological disease that affects about 10% of women worldwide. It is characterized by the implantation of endometrial cells at ectopic sites. The most common symptom of EM is painful menstruation, which can often lead to chronic pelvic pain that significantly worsens the quality of life. Because some disease-related processes, such as inflammation, hormonal activity, menstrual cycle, or prostaglandin metabolism, can be modified by diet, nutrition may have a significant impact on development and treatment of EM. The purpose of this article was to overview the current knowledge regarding the dietary management of endometriosis. The attention of researchers has so far concentrated mainly on the role of nutrition in the risk of developing EM, while less attention has been paid to examining the use of diet in the treatment of the disease. Current studies focus primarily on various dietary components that have antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and estrogen-lowering properties. Exploring different ways of coping with endometriosis can make a significant contribution to improving the quality of life of women at risk or diagnosed with EM.

Struggling in the dehumanized world of COVID-An exploratory mixed-methods study of frontline healthcare workers' experiences.

To explore healthcare workers' experiences of the changed caring reality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden. An online fully mixed-methods design. A web-based self-reported questionnaire with fixed and open-ended answers collected data from March to April 2021,analysed in three steps. First, free-text questions were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Then quantitative linear regression analyses using models covering stress and coping mechanisms were conducted. Finally, a meta-inference of qualitative and quantitative data emerged a new comprehensive understanding. The COREQ guidelines were used for reporting. Meta-inferenced results of quantitative and qualitative findings show the pandemic was a traumatic experience for healthcare workers. Main theme; When work became a frightening experience in a dehumanized reality, comprised four themes: Entering unprepared into a frightful, incomprehensible world; Sacrificing moral values and harbouring dilemmas in isolation; Lack of clear management; and Reorient in togetherness and find meaning in a changed reality. Qualitative results comprised four categories; Working in a dehumanized world; Living in betrayal of ones' own conscience; Lack of structure in a chaotic time and Regaining vitality together. Subdimensions comprehensibility and meaningfulness were associated significantly with post-traumatic stress disorder in multiple regression analysis. In multiple regression analysis, sense of coherence was the most prominent coping strategy. Forcing oneself to perform beyond one's limit, sacrificing moral values and lacking management was a traumatic experience to healthcare workers during the pandemic. Reorienting as a way of coping was possible in togetherness with colleagues. There is an urgency of interventions to meet the needs among healthcare workers who took on a frontline role during the COVID-19 pandemic and to prevent mental health illness in future crisis. No patient or public contribution. The pandemic outbreak exposed frontline healthcare workers to unparallelled stress shown as negative for their mental health in several meta-analyses and systematic reviews. In-depth understanding on experiences and how symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder relate to coping mechanisms have been scarcely explored. This study contributes to understanding on healthcare workers' experiences and the relation between lower sense of coherence and increased risk of developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. This study might guide how to prepare for resilience in future emergencies.

Living with Inflation in Argentina

Argentina has been burdened for many decades with high inflation, reaching three or even four digits in hyperinflationary periods. The recurring price spirals in Argentine history, particularly since the beginning of the current century, have affected the middle class’s perception of the present and the future, constructing what can be called an inflationary experience. Governments from across the political spectrum have failed to solve the problem, leading to the election of a radical outsider candidate as president in 2023. This article examines the ways in which the middle class in Buenos Aires copes with inflation, and how the experience of chronic inflation and crisis produces ways of coping that at the same time may generate more inflation.

Nutrition and techniques for memory’s enhancement in children with special learning difficulties and the role of ICTs

Specific learning difficulties are neurodevelopmental disorders connected to deficits in working memory. As the suitable nutrition affects both brain devlopment and memory function, it affects positively the ways of coping with learning difficulties. The specific articlee attempts to locate, by means of a literature review, the nutritional elements that are beneficiary in the case of children with learning difficulties, and also to seek the most suitable strategies for the enhancement of their memory. Based on conclusions it was found that the adoption of a balanced diet consisting of fatty acids trace elements, amino acids, metals and vitamins minimizes the possibility for the appearance of specific learning difficulties. Research has also led to the conclusion that the utilization of ICT, the conquest of metacognition, breathing techniques, the pivotal role of exercise, quality sleep and clinical hypnosis are crucial intervention methods for the enhancement of the memory of children with specific learning difficulties.

Stress coping strategies — novel markers in the diagnosis of masked hypertension in young people

Aim. To establish the prevalence and markers of masked hypertension (HTN) in apparently healthy young people.Material and methods. The cross-sectional study included young people (20-30 years old) with health group I or II, with clinical blood pressure (BP) <140/90 mm Hg. All participants underwent 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, assessment of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and ways of coping with stress.Results. A total of 347 participants were included (mean age, 22 (21-23) years; male, 101 (29,1%)). After 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, masked HTN was detected in 46 (13,3%) participants. Multivariate analysis found following markers of masked HTN: office systolic blood pressure (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1,109; p<0,001), resting heart rate (AOR 1,051; p=0,021), body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 (AOR 2,345; p=0,039), two models of coping with stress — distancing (AOR 1,071; p=0,001) and self-control (AOR 0,951; p=0,012). These parameters are included in the formula for calculating the masked HTN probability.Conclusion. Masked HTN occurs in 13,3% of apparently healthy young people. Associations of masked HTN with strategies for coping with stress have been established, which allows them to be regarded as novel markers of masked HTN. The method described in the article makes it possible to identify masked HTN with a high probability in young people.

ACCOUNTS OF PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ON INVOLUNTARY TRANSFER OF STATION: A PHENOMENOLOGY

The purpose of this qualitative study, adopting the phenomenological approach, is to discover and understand the lived experiences of public elementary school teachers who were involuntarily transferred to a different station or school in the Division of Davao del Norte. In the data collection procedure, fourteen (14) teachers were selected through purposive sampling and they participated in the study. The participants were divided equally between in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to gather data from each of them. More importantly, trustworthiness and ethical considerations were applied in the data collection procedures, ensuring the total well-being of all participating teachers. From the participants, it was identified that they experienced struggling with financial strains, lack of school facilities and resources, challenges linked to long distance of school, predicaments relative to transitioning to multigrade classes, and electrical and internet connectivity challenges. They also revealed the different ways of coping that they had such as exhibiting positive traits and behaviors, fostering positive relationships and connections, highlighting support systems, and drawing inspiration from recognition and validation. They also realized the following insights which are namely fair and systematic approach in teacher transfers, see change as a constant thing that must be accepted, pursue personal and professional goals, and emphasize positive relationships. While most of the participants were able to adapt to the situation, the Department of Education may also reflect upon the findings of this study and may always seek to prioritize the well-being of all public-school teachers who breathe life into the basic education system that we are having today. KEYWORDS: involuntary transfer, public schools, elementary teachers, phenomenological research, Davao del Norte

Immediacy: Our Ways of Coping in Everyday Life

Immediacy: Our Ways of Coping in Everyday Life

Study on the Ways of Accepting and Coping with the Endometriosis Diagnosis

The present article discusses the topic of chronic ailments and the need for psychological support related to them. We are presenting information on the first-ever study held in Bulgaria of women suffering from Endometriosis, accepting the diagnosis and ways of coping with the macro-traumatic event of receiving the diagnosis. The study illustrates our effort to establish whether there is a difference in the ways women cope with such a hard diagnosis as Endometriosis among patients utilizing psychological support and patients who refrain from it. We also describe the results from the preliminary study aiming to establish to what extent psychological work affects the ways of coping with the Endometriosis diagnosis.

The Impact of Advanced Melanoma on the Relational Sphere, Body and Quality of Life: A Phenomenological-Hermeneutic Study

Background: Cutaneous melanoma represents one of the most frequent cancers in the adult population and accounts for more than 80% of skin cancer deaths. Due to pharmacological innovations, there is an increased chronicization of the disease, so the concept of quality of life becomes increasingly important. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychological and social impact of advanced melanoma, thus the influence of the disease in the relationship with one's body, on the relational sphere, on ways of coping with the event, and on the perceived quality of life. Method: Four semi structured interviews were administered to a sample of 22 patients with advanced melanoma (stage III and IV) to explore in depth participants' subjective experiences regarding the impact of the disease. The interviews were transcribed and subjected to content analysis using the phenomenological-hermeneutic method. Results: From the analysis of the interviews, many patients experienced fear, anxiety and shock at the time of diagnosis, feelings of isolation and reduced social support during the oncology process. Medical and family support was found to be crucial for adjustment to the disease, while body image was negatively affected by the disease. However, some patients showed resilience and positive adaptation to cancer, trying to maintain their quality of life. Conclusion: This study highlighted the importance of considering the psychological and social impact of advanced melanoma in patients. Understanding their experiences is essential to provide appropriate support and develop interventions aimed at improving their quality of life.

Exploring the Sources of Stress and Coping Strategies of Turkish Preschool Teachers.

This paper identifies preschool teachers' sources of stress, the times they experience high stress, and their ways of coping with stress levels. The study was conducted using a phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research models. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 36 preschool teachers working with children aged 0-6 in state and private schools. As a result of the content analysis, stressors were identified primarily at both interpersonal (positive and effective interactions) and organizational levels (school management and leadership style). It was also found that intense stress was experienced when children were difficult to control, such as during sleeping, eating, and cleaning. Finally, these results confirmed that the teachers used active/active behavioral, and passive/avoidant coping strategies. However, it was understood that preschool teachers perceived stress negatively, and did not see stress as a personal development situation. These results are discussed in terms of their ramifications for preschool education.

Disappointment’s Magic: Negative Emotions, Transitional Justice and Resistance

This article explores how an existential account of emotions can enrich debates about negative emotions in transitional justice and peacebuilding scholarship. A growing literature has examined the challenge that the ex-resisters’ negative emotions, including disappointment, pose to the creation of sustainable peace in post-conflict societies. It has however not sufficiently accounted for disappointment’s potentially productive political value. The paper fills this gap by examining how the ex-resisters’ disappointment affects their capacity for political action against the remainders of past violence and oppression, with a specific focus on the South African context. I draw on Jean-Paul Sartre’s existential account of the emotions’ ‘magic’ as a way of coping with the complexities of political action arising from our situated condition. I put Sartre’s account in conversation with Nadine Gordimer’s novel No Time Like the Present and experiences of disappointment among South African ex-resisters to show how disappointment can lead ex-resisters to different ways of confronting the complexity of political engagement in the wake of the incomplete transition. This dialogue reveals disappointment as a powerful source of resistance against the persistence of injustice, while also disclosing significant constraints upon political engagement in conditions of systemic violence. Le magique de la déception : Émotions négatives, justice transitionnelle et résistance