Regulatory focus, coping strategies and symptoms of anxiety and depression: A comparison between Syrian refugees in Turkey and Germany

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the emotional tone and verbal behavior of social media users who self-identified as having tinnitus and/or hyperacusis that caused self-described negative consequences on daily life or health. Research Design and Method An explanatory mixed-methods design was utilized. Two hundred “initial” and 200 “reply” Facebook posts were collected from members of a tinnitus group and a hyperacusis group. Data were analyzed via the LIWC 2015 software program and compared to typical bloggers. As this was an explanatory mixed-methods study, we used qualitative thematic analyses to explain, interpret, and illustrate the quantitative results. Results Overall, quantitative results indicated lower overall emotional tone for all categories (tinnitus and hyperacusis, initial and reply), which was mostly influenced by higher negative emotion. Higher levels of authenticity or truth were found in the hyperacusis sample but not in the tinnitus sample. Lower levels of clout (social standing) were indicated in all groups, and a lower level of analytical thinking style (concepts and complex categories rather than narratives) was found in the hyperacusis sample. Additional analysis of the language indicated higher levels of sadness and anxiety in all groups and lower levels of anger, particularly for initial replies. These data support prior findings indicating higher levels of anxiety and depression in this patient population based on the actual words in blog posts and not from self-report questionnaires. Qualitative results identified 3 major themes from both the tinnitus and hyperacusis texts: suffering, negative emotional tone, and coping strategies. Conclusions Results from this study suggest support for the predominant clinical view that patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis have higher levels of anxiety and depression than the general population. The extent of the suffering described and patterns of coping strategies suggest clinical practice patterns and the need for research in implementing improved practice plans.

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Evaluation of the relationship between perceived social support, coping strategies, anxiety, and depression symptoms among hospitalized COVID-19 patients

The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine ◽

10.1177/0091217420982085 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 009121742098208

Author(s):

Ali Kandeğer ◽

Memduha Aydın ◽

Kürşat Altınbaş ◽

Alparslan Cansız ◽

Özge Tan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Negative Association ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Control Group ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Adaptive Coping ◽

The Relationship

Objective We aimed to evaluate the relationship between perceived social support, coping strategies, anxiety, and depression symptoms among hospitalized COVID-19 patients by comparing them with a matched control group in terms of age, gender, and education level. Method The patient group (n = 84) and the healthy controls (HCs, n = 92) filled in the questionnaire including the socio-demographic form, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced through the online survey link. Results The COVID-19 patients had higher perceived social support and coping strategies scores than the HCs. However, anxiety and depression scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. In logistic regression analysis performed in COVID-19 patients, the presence of chest CT finding (OR = 4.31; 95% CI = 1.04–17.95) was a risk factor for anxiety and the use of adaptive coping strategies (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.73–0.99) had a negative association with anxiety. In addition, the use of adaptive coping strategies (OR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.79–0.98) and high perceived social support (OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.93– 0,99) had a negative association with depression symptoms. Conclusions Longitudinal studies involving the return to normality phase of the COVID-19 pandemic are needed to investigate the effects of factors such as coping strategies and perceived social support that could increase the psychological adjustment and resilience of individuals on anxiety and depression.

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The prevalence of anxiety and depression and its association with coping strategies, supportive care needs, and social support among women with breast cancer

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-021-06477-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hassan Okati-Aliabad ◽

Alireza Ansari-Moghadam ◽

Mahdi Mohammadi ◽

Shiva Kargar ◽

Fariba Shahraki-Sanavi

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Social Support ◽

Supportive Care ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Supportive Care Needs ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Care Needs

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Coping Strategies, Anxiety and Depression in OCD and Schizophrenia: Changes during COVID-19

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11070926 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 926

Author(s):

Ángel Rosa-Alcázar ◽

José Luis Parada-Navas ◽

María Dolores García-Hernández ◽

Sergio Martínez-Murillo ◽

Pablo J. Olivares-Olivares ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coping Strategies ◽

Experiential Avoidance ◽

Online Survey ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Survey Results ◽

And Coping

Background: The main aim was to examine changes in coping strategies, anxiety and depression in obsessive–compulsive and schizophrenia patients during COVID-19, in addition to controlling the influence of intolerance to uncertainty and experiential avoidance. Method: The first time, the study comprised (15–30 April 2020) 293 patients, 113 of whom were diagnosed with obsessive–compulsive disorder, 61 with schizophrenia and 119 healthy controls, aged 13–77 years (M = 37.89, SD = 12.65). The second time (15–30 November), the study comprised 195 participants (85 obsessive–compulsive patients, 42 schizophrenic patiens and 77 healthy controls participants). The evaluation was carried out through an online survey. Results: The clinical groups worsened over time in cognitive coping, anxiety and depression, while the control group only worsened in depression. Intergroup differences in anxiety, depression and coping strategies were maintained, highlighting the use of some maladaptive strategies (avoidance, spiritual) in clinical groups. Experiential avoidance and tolerance for uncertainty mainly affected coping. Conclusions: The duration of COVID-19 not only produced changes in anxiety and depression in clinical groups but also in coping strategies to face this pandemic and its consequences.

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Problem-solving skills groups for female Syrian refugees in Lebanon: a study of a mental health intervention

Journal of Refugee Studies ◽

10.1093/jrs/feab099 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Brigitte Khoury ◽

Sariah Daouk

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Health Workers ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Syrian Refugees ◽

Problem Solving Skills ◽

Hopkins Symptom Checklist ◽

Group Format ◽

Syrian Civil War ◽

Short Intervention

Abstract Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Lebanon has witnessed an influx of over one million refugees. This has placed a serious strain on Lebanon’s mental healthcare system, creating the need for an efficient intervention for refugees. Health workers were recruited from various centres and trained to deliver a module of 12 sessions in problem-solving skills in group format. Then, they recruited female Syrian refugees and Lebanese women to form groups and deliver the intervention in the host communities. Results showed that levels of anxiety and depression, as reported by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist screening tool, seemed to decrease significantly after the intervention. An additional outcome was that most of the participants felt supported by other women. These results demonstrated that a direct and short intervention with female refugees can lead to measurable improvements in their mental1 health and was perceived by participants as highly beneficial.

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Psychological Coping with Job Loss. Empirical Study to Contribute to the Development of Unemployed People

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15081787 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (8) ◽

pp. 1787 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Yolanda Navarro-Abal ◽

José Climent-Rodríguez ◽

María López-López ◽

Juan Gómez-Salgado

Keyword(s):

Coping Strategies ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Psychological Consequences ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Unemployed People ◽

Service Centre ◽

Public Employment Service ◽

Career Service ◽

And Coping

Having a job is an essential part of people’s development. Unemployment, on the contrary, is one of the most frustrating experiences of life with greater psychological consequences for people’s lives. In this sense, psychology has contributed to an increase in knowledge about the personal and social experience of unemployment. This article discusses indicators of anxiety and depression in unemployed people, modulating socio-demographic variables, and coping strategies involved in the higher and lower levels of anxiety and depression. For this, a sample of 244 unemployed people who are users of the Career Service Centre of the Andalusian Public Employment Service of the city of Huelva is used for a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. The results show that only 5.7% of the participants do not have depressive symptoms. With regards to anxiety levels, 41.3% of participants have no anxiety. Unemployed people with high anxiety and depression scores have developed maladaptive coping strategies such as substance use, self-blaming, or denial. It is necessary to assess the importance of the unemployment process and the incorporation of appropriate coping strategies that facilitate new integration in the labour market, such as planification, emotional or social support and self-distraction between others.

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FRI0300 ARE COPING STRATEGIES, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION ASSOCIATED WITH DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS?

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.2724 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 739-739

Author(s):

M. Carbo ◽

L. Overbeeke ◽

S. Arends ◽

Y. Kamsma ◽

F. Wink ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Coping Strategy ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Daily Physical Activity ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Research Support ◽

Related Factors

Background:Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) who are more physically active experience less pain and better physical functioning.1Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression are associated with physical functioning and reduction of Quality of Life (QoL).2Furthermore, evasive coping strategies are commonly used in health-related coping.3However, as far as we know, no data is available regarding the influence of coping strategies, anxiety and depression on daily physical activity in axSpA.Objectives:To determine if coping strategies, anxiety and depression are associated with daily physical activity in patients with axSpA.Methods:Consecutive outpatients from the Groningen Leeuwarden AxSpA cohort (GLAS) participated in this study. Additionally to the standardized follow-up assessments, patients filled out the axSpA-Short Questionnaire to assess health-enhancing physical activity (axSpA-SQUASH), the Coping with Rheumatic Stressors (CORS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to explore associations of copings strategies, anxiety and depression, and patient- and disease related factors with daily physical activity. Additionally, patients were stratified into three tertiles of physical activity: low, intermediate and high. To identify group differences, Kruskal-Wallis test or Chi-Square test were used with post-hoc testing.Results:In total 85 patients were included; 59% were male, mean age was 49±14, median symptom duration 19.5 years (IQR 12.0-31.0), 71% were HLA-B27 positive and mean ASDAS was 2.1±1.0. Median axSpA-SQUASH total physical activity score was 9406.3 (IQR 5538.8–12081.3). Median scores of HADS-Anxiety (scale 7-28) and HADS-Depression (scale 7-28) were scores of 12 (IQR 10.0-14.0) and 10(IQR 9.0-12.5). The mostly frequently used coping strategie was comforting cognitions (for pain, range 9-36); median of 25.5 (IQR 22.0-28.0).Univariable analysis showed that lower daily physical activity was significantly associated with gender (female), higher disease activity (BASDAI), worse physical function (BASFI), worse quality of life (ASQoL), coping strategies ‘decreasing activities’ and ‘pacing’, higher depression score (HADS) and higher perceived influence of axSpA on general well-being. In multivariable analysis, only the coping strategy “decreasing activity” was independently associated with physical activity (β: -419.3, R2: 0.155, P<0.001). Additionally, patients in the highest physical activity tertile were significantly more often male, had higher working status, lower BASDAI and ASDAS, better BASFI and ASQoL and scored lower on the coping strategy “decreasing activities”.Conclusion:In this cross-sectional study in axSpA patients with established disease, multiple patient and disease related factors were associated with daily physical activity. The evasive coping strategy ‘decreasing activities’ was the only independently associated factor. These findings suggest that to improve daily physical activity in axSpA patients attention should be paid not only on targeting disease activity, but also to other patient and disease related aspects, especially coping strategies used.References:[1]Regel A et al.RMD Open. 2017;3(1):e000397.[2]Kilic G et al.Med (United States). 2014;93(29):e337.[3]Peláez-Ballestas I et al.Med (United States). 2015;94(10):e600.Acknowledgments:The authors would like to thank all patients who participated in the GLAS cohort.Disclosure of Interests:Marlies Carbo: None declared, Laura Overbeeke: None declared, Suzanne Arends Grant/research support from: Grant/research support from Pfizer, Yvo Kamsma: None declared, Freke Wink Consultant of: Abbvie, Janssen, Davy Paap: None declared, Anneke Spoorenberg: None declared

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The Perceptions of Trauma, Complaints, Somatization, and Coping Strategies among Syrian Refugees in Germany—A Qualitative Study of an At-Risk Population

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17030693 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 693

Author(s):

Ali Zbidat ◽

Ekaterini Georgiadou ◽

Andrea Borho ◽

Yesim Erim ◽

Eva Morawa

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Coping Resources ◽

Syrian Refugees ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

War Experiences ◽

And Coping

Background: A high prevalence of mental distress, especially posttraumatic stress disorder, has been widely confirmed among refugees. In order to establish adequate interventions in psychotherapy, however, it must first be examined whether refugees have similar ideas and concepts of stress, trauma, and healing. This study, therefore, aimed to analyze the representations of trauma, self-reported complaints, indications of somatization, and coping strategies among a refugee population. Methods: Semi-structured interviews based on the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) were conducted with Syrian refugees who have residence permission in Germany. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed according to the qualitative content analysis of Mayring. The foci of interest were determined on the basis of the predefined interview guideline, and inductive subcategories were extracted from the transcripts. Results: Sixteen refugees participated (50% women; mean age: 35.5 years, SD = 11.2; the mean duration of stay in Germany: 23.3 months, SD = 6.6). War experiences were the most frequently reported subjective perceptions of trauma. Frequently reported complaints included sleeping disturbance, cardiovascular symptoms, rumination, and pain. Among half of the participants, we found indications of somatization. We identified the following coping strategies: Activity, cognitive coping, social coping, religious coping, avoidance, and emotional coping. Conclusions: War-related traumatic events are the most common trauma perceptions among Syrian refugees. The self-reported complaints demonstrate somatoform, depressive, and posttraumatic symptoms. Syrian refugees should be screened for somatization, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder and should receive targeted interventions that consider and support individual coping resources.

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A 2-Month Follow-Up Study of Psychological Distress among Italian People during the COVID-19 Lockdown

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17218180 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (21) ◽

pp. 8180 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Paolo Roma ◽

Merylin Monaro ◽

Marco Colasanti ◽

Eleonora Ricci ◽

Silvia Biondi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Multivariate Regression ◽

Regression Models ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Younger Age ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Traumatic Symptoms

The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has called for unprecedented measures, including a national lockdown in Italy. The present study aimed at identifying psychological changes (e.g., changes in depression, stress, and anxiety levels) among the Italian public during the lockdown period, in addition to factors associated with these changes. An online follow-up survey was administered to 439 participants (original sample = 2766), between 28 April and 3 May 2020. A paired sample t-test tested for differences in stress, anxiety, and depression over the period. Multivariate regression models examined associations between sociodemographic variables, personality traits, coping strategies, depression, and stress. Results showed an increase in stress and depression over the lockdown, but not anxiety. Negative affect and detachment were associated with higher levels of depression and stress. Higher levels of depression at the start of the lockdown, as well as fewer coping strategies and childlessness, were associated with increased depression at follow-up, whereas higher levels of stress at the start of the lockdown and younger age were associated with higher stress at follow-up. These results may help us to identify persons at greater risk of suffering from psychological distress as a result lockdown conditions, and inform psychological interventions targeting post-traumatic symptoms.

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