scholarly journals Vulnerability: Types, Causes, and Coping Mechanisms

Author(s):  
Iorhen, Peter Terna

The paper is aimed at bringing to limelight by explaining the concept of vulnerability specifically its types, causes and coping strategies among others. Vulnerability has threatened lives, nations and organizations at diverse magnitude. Being a common concept among health workers, the understanding of the concept is underestimated to people in other works of life. Therefore, understanding this concept will not only be of theoretical benefits but also enable vulnerable class know when they are vulnerable and how to cope with vulnerability. Though, the functioning of vulnerability is interlinked and connected to poverty among other factors. The methodology for this paper is purely descriptive. Areas covered include clarification of concepts, types of vulnerability, vulnerable groups, causes of vulnerability and coping mechanisms of vulnerability. Therefore, the paper concluded that apart from individuals, nations and organizations are vulnerable and also exposed to shocks, threats and risks that can be mitigated by deploying coping mechanisms that prevents vulnerability from becoming chronic.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254252
Author(s):  
Suzanne Rose ◽  
Josette Hartnett ◽  
Seema Pillai

Increasing cases, insufficient amount of personal protection equipment, extremely demanding workloads, and lack of adequate therapies to save lives can contribute to a psychological burden directly related to working during disease outbreaks. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 due to its ability to spread efficiently through asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. There are limited studies assessing the pandemic’s psychological impact on HCWs, specifically those in close proximity to hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Our study explored the emotions, perceived stressors, and coping strategies of front-line HCWs at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 during the first surge at our community-based teaching hospital, the epicenter of COVID-19 in Connecticut. A validated comprehensive questionnaire derived and modified from previous epidemics was used to inquire about staff feelings, factors that caused stress and factors that mitigated stress. Personal coping strategies and factors that can increase staff’s motivation to work during future events of similar nature were also asked. Emotional reactions, coping mechanisms, and stressors varied by healthcare role, while some experiences and reactions were similar among groups. Willingness to participate in a second wave of the pandemic or future outbreaks is strongly driven by adequate personal protective equipment, financial recognition, and recognition from management, similarly reported in previous disease outbreaks. All groups felt a reduction in stress due to a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, as well as when sharing jokes or humor with colleagues. Our HCWs at high risk of exposure experienced significant emotional distress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. By understanding the needs and experiences of our HCWs at highest risk, we can improve our psychological support using targeted interventions during future waves of this pandemic or similar devastating events.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emad Adel Shdaifat ◽  
Aysar Jamama ◽  
Mohammed Al-Amer

INTRODUCTION: Nursing students suffer from high levels of stress related to academic assignments in addition to clinical skills training. As a psychosocial phenomenon, stress affects students’ academic achievement and wellbeing. Coping mechanisms help students deal with the challenges arising from stress.AIMS: To illustrate the level of stress and common stressors among nursing students; to describe the difference in stress level related to demographic data; and to identify coping mechanisms used by nursing students.METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the type of stress and coping strategies among nursing students. The level of stress was evaluated through Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and type of coping strategies were assessed by use of Coping Behaviours Inventory (CBI).RESULTS: Students perceived moderate level of stress, most commonly attributed to assignments and workload, teachers and nursing staff, peers and daily life, and taking care of patients. The most frequently used coping mechanism was problem solving. The study found that age, GPA, education level and residence are good predictors of the use of transference as a coping behaviour.CONCLUSION: A moderate level of stress among students illustrates the need for stress management programs and the provision of suitable support.


Author(s):  
Emadul Islam ◽  
Ishtiaque Jahan Shoef ◽  
Mehadi Hasan

This chapter is part of an extensive panel survey conducted among the BRAC COVID-19 response HHs between April 2020 to September 2020. This chapter aims to describe the food insecurity status of BRAC-supported HHs and their coping strategies to combat the impact of COVID-19. A total of 6,086 HHs were interviewed in the 1st round (April 2020-June 2020), whilst these HHs were interviewed in the 2nd round (July 2020 to September 2020). Findings reveal that COVID-19 has created an unprecedented impact on HH food insecurity. The study prepared a food index score and found that 33% of HHs are extremely food insecure, whilst 19% are highly insecure. In terms of coping strategies to the current food needs of the HHs, dependency on the personal mechanism and institutional mechanisms were identified. The study argues that the COVID-19 crisis forces HHs into long-term loan burden, which may lead to another hurdle, causing delayed HHs economic recovery. Long-term GO and NGO sustainable economic recovery intervention could help marginalized people to build back better from COVID-19.


Author(s):  
Reynold Culimay Padagas ◽  
John Vinnie Panuelos ◽  
Kim Franco Odoya ◽  
Rhencel Cabardo ◽  
Vincent Pierre Louise Castro ◽  
...  

Background & Aim: This study aimed to explore the transitional challenges of newly hired psychiatric nurses in the care of clients with schizophrenia and the coping mechanisms that they use to overcome their transitional challenges. Methods & Materials: This descriptive-qualitative study interviewed six purposively selected newly hired psychiatric nurses caring for patients with schizophrenia who work for about six months to two years in a Psychiatric Training Hospital in the Philippines.  An interview protocol was used to obtain data with strict observance of relevant ethical considerations. In determining the emerging themes and subthemes from the transcribed data with trustworthiness, thematic analysis was employed. Results: Two major prior codes were explored, namely, transitional challenges and coping mechanisms. On the one hand, five subthemes emerged under the transitional challenges that include emotional challenges, need for professional growth, nurses’ recognition of the inability to patient care management, need support from more experienced colleagues. Experience/feel the shock in the encounter of people with a mental health condition. On the other hand, four subthemes were unearthed under coping mechanisms that include emotional responses, professional coping strategies (i.e., reliance on the adequate support system, establishing the professional nurse-patient relationship, call to professional advancement, and commitment to evidence-based practice), and institutional coping strategies. Conclusion: While newly hired nurses experience tremendous transitional challenges, their coping mechanisms continuously emerge and develop. The nursing administration needs to foster sustainable mentoring and resilience programs essential in aiding newly hired nurses’ adaptation and adjustment to the professional work environment.


Rev Rene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. e70815
Author(s):  
Francielli Regini Carvalho de Faria ◽  
Luciano Garcia Lourenção ◽  
Albertina Gomes da Silva ◽  
Paula Canova Sodré ◽  
Jussara Rossi Castro ◽  
...  

Objective: to evaluate the levels of occupational stress, work engagement, and coping strategies among community health workers. Methods: cross-sectional study with 133 Community Health Workers. We used a questionnaire with socioeconomic and professional variables, the Work Stress Scale, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, and the Coping Modes Scale. Results: The mean occupational stress score was 2.7. Work engagement levels were high for dedication (4.0), vigor (4.3), and overall score (4.0). Problem-focused coping modes (3.9; ±0.6) and based on religious practices and fantasy thinking (3.4; ±0.7) stood out. Conclusion: there is a high percentage of professionals with significant occupational stress. The levels of work engagement were medium for absorption and high for dedication, vigor, and overall score. The coping strategies are focused on problem solving, religious practices and fanciful thoughts of positive character.


Author(s):  
Poppy Siska Putri

AbstractThe Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) pandemic has been declared a global problem. The increased risk of exposure to infection and death is faced by health workers, including midwives, who often have a dual role in providing services. This study aims to understand and discuss the experiences of midwives working during the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on midwife professional experiences, physical, psychological, and social conditions, challenges encountered, and coping strategies while working. The data will be obtained by interviewing midwives using in-depth interviews. The interview will be conducted online, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis will be performed using the Colaizzi method and the findings are discussed with the expert to form a category or theme.Keyword : Working experience, Midwife, Healthcare


Author(s):  
Asha N. Patel

Background: Care givers, who are the front-line health workers during Covid-19 outbreak. Their emotional responses and adaptation of coping strategies are very important for health of themselves as well health services. Logically care givers emotional response and coping strategies measures their emotional well-being which also affects their work productivity. Hence, this study is undertaken to assess the emotional response and coping strategies of care givers in Covid-19 department at Civil hospital, Ahmedabad. Aims and objectives: To assess the emotional response and coping strategies of care givers worked in Covid-19 department at Civil hospital, Ahmedabad. To assess the association between emotional response and demographic variables, coping strategies and demographic variables. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 100 care givers worked in Covid-19 department at Civil hospital, Ahmedabad using Random sampling technique. Data were obtained using structured rating scale and checklist to assess emotional response and coping strategies of care givers. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze demographic data, rating scale and checklist. Results and Conclusions: The study reveled that majority of 73% of caregivers had emotionally strong response and 86% of caregivers adopted healthy coping strategies. Study also revealed that there is significant association between selected emotional responses and selected demographic variables. Also significant association between coping strategies and selected demographic variables.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1302
Author(s):  
Cristina Costescu ◽  
Iulia Chelba ◽  
Adrian Roșan ◽  
Attila Kovari ◽  
Jozsef Katona

Recent research indicates there are different cognitive patterns and coping mechanisms related to increased levels of Internet use and emotional distress in adolescents. This study aims to investigate the relationship between coping mechanisms, dysfunctional negative emotions, and Internet use. A total of 54 participants aged between 14 and 19 years old completed a questionnaire containing several measures and demographics information. We measured participants’ coping strategies, emotional distress, social and emotional loneliness, and their online behavior and Internet addiction using self-report questionnaires. In order to identify the relation between the investigated variables, we used correlation analysis and regression, and we tested one mediation model. The results showed that maladaptive coping strategies and Internet use were significant predictors of dysfunctional negative emotions. Moreover, passive wishful thinking, as a pattern of thinking, was associated with anxious and depressed feelings. The relation between Internet use and dysfunctional negative emotions was mediated by participants’ coping mechanisms. Therefore, we can conclude that the level of negative feelings is associated with the coping strategies used while showing an increased level of Internet addiction. Future studies should also consider different and multiple types of measurement other than self-reports, especially related to Internet addiction.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dian Veronika Sakti Kaloeti ◽  
Lusi Nur Ardhiani ◽  
Marcus Stück

COVID-19 has brought a massive psychological impact on individuals' life. The current study sets a significant purpose to test the model whether post-traumatic stress and coping strategies affect stress-related growth regarding the COVID-19 event. One hundred and ninety-nine participants have participated in an online survey in the period of lockdown. The proposed hypotheses model is further tested using PLS-SEM. The first model explains a significant moderate, 46% amount of variance for stress-related growth. With gender as moderator, the second model explains a significant 29% amount of variance for stress-related growth, which is also moderate. This study shows that active coping strategies and positive affirmation significantly influence individual stress-related growth. The trauma event (COVID-19) does not significantly affect growth. Women experience trauma compared to men, besides active coping with the COVID-19 situation is higher in men than women. Using the Bio-centric perspective, having a positive connection through acceptance and awareness of the situation, self-care, and affective interaction with others would develop growth regarding traumatic situations. Further, interventions about coping skills and positive affirmations are essential to give, especially to vulnerable groups such as women.


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