Coping with cancer: The role of different sources of psychosocial support and the personality of patients with cancer in (mal)adaptive coping strategies

ObjectivesCancer is a serious event in a person's life. However, certain coping strategies in relation to selected social, emotional and personality factors appear to manage the disease.MethodsSources of social support were tested in cancer survivors (N = 696) using hierarchical linear regression. Selected personality variables in terms of sociodemographic, clinical, and emotional factors were used as predictors of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies.Results It was found that adaptive coping strategies were more frequent in younger patients, in patients who attended cancer support groups and those with a greater level of optimism. Maladaptive coping was related to the higher level of experience of pain and sadness, neuroticism, and pessimism. The absence of a relapse and the time since the disease had been diagnosed were also important factors in coping with cancer.Conclusions The results point to the importance of considering various individual factors in the process of intervention to facilitate adaptive coping and to reduce maladaptive coping.

ENACT Study: What has helped health and social care workers maintain their mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic? Adaptive coping, team resilience, help-seeking behaviour and work based supports

Rapid studies have highlighted the adverse mental health impact of COVID-19 on health and social care workers (HSCWs). Complementing this work, we report on the psychosocial factors that have helped HSCWs adapt to the adversities associated with COVID-19 and protect staff wellbeing in Scotland. The ENACT study collected data from HSCWs (n= 1364) in Scotland during the third national lockdown. Using a cross-sectional design, participants completed an online survey providing quantitative data and free responses. A multi-method approach to analysis was used. The majority of HSCWs were found to have low wellbeing scores, high levels of COVID-19 stress, worry, burnout and risk perception scores and almost half of HSCWs met the clinical cut off for acute stress. Adaptive coping strategies and increased perceived team resilience helped mitigate against the adverse impact that COVID-19 stressors have on HSCWs’ mental wellbeing. HSCWs were significantly more likely to seek informal support for dealing with personal or emotional problems. Barriers to formal help-seeking were identified including stigma and fears of consequence of disclosure. HSCWs most valued peer support, workplace supports, visible leadership and teamwork. Our findings illuminate the complexity of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on HSCWs’ wellbeing and will inform future intervention development to increase positive adaptation amongst staff. Addressing barriers to mental health help-seeking among HSCWs is essential. The implications emphasise the importance of lessons learned across health and social care contexts, planning and preparedness for future pandemics.

What Are the Common Themes of Physician Resilience? A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

In the practice of medicine, resilience has gained attention as on of the ways to address burnout. Qualitative studies have explored the concept of physician resilience in several contexts. However, individual qualitative studies have limited generalizability, making it difficult to understand the resilience concept in a wider context. This study aims to develop a concept of resilience in the context of physicians’ experience through a meta-synthesis of relevant qualitative studies. Using a predetermined search strategy, we identified nine qualitative studies among 450 participants that reported themes of resilience in developed and developing countries, various specialties, and stages of training. We utilized the meta-ethnography method to generate themes and a line-of-argument synthesis. We identified six key themes of resilience: tenacity, resources, reflective ability, coping skills, control, and growth. The line-of-argument synthesis identified resilient physicians as individuals who are determined in their undertakings, have control in their professional lives, reflect on adversity, utilize adaptive coping strategies, and believe that adversity provides an opportunity for growth. Resilient physicians are supported by individual and organizational resources that include nurturing work culture, teamwork, and support from the medical community and at home. Our findings suggest that resilience in physicians is dynamic and must be supported not only by physician-directed interventions but also by organization-directed interventions.

The Effectiveness of Fear of Leprosy As a Mediator of The Relationship Between Resilience, Coping Resources, and Coping: A Correlation Study Through The Structural Equation Model In Patients With Leprosy

Background: Strengthening the argument for better problem solving can reduce excessive worry, so as to reduce fear due to leprosy disability, because the impact arising from leprosy disability can affect the chosen coping strategy. Methods: The purpose of this study was to test the model of the relationship between resilience, coping resources, and coping through structural equation modeling to identify the role of disability fear as a mediator. The leprosy disability fear scale, coping resources scale, and coping scale have been used to collect data, with 125 participants involved in this study through convenience sampling, consisting of women (33.60%), men 66.40 %. Structural equation model is used to test through cross-sectional design. Results: The results of the study report that there is a negative relationship between coping resources and fear of leprosy disability, and it is known that there is a positive relationship with coping. Meanwhile, The test results showed a negative relationship between resilience and fear of leprosy disability, and a positive relationship with coping. Furthermore, to coping, fear of leprosy disability shows a negative relationship. Conclusion: Coping in seeking health assistance is strongly influenced by resilience and coping resources, both directly and indirectly through the mediator of fear of leprosy disability. As a result, in seeking health assistance, individuals who have strong self-defense and have extensive coping resources, have adaptive coping, thereby reducing the fear of leprosy disability, and thus can maintain adaptive coping during the leprosy healing process.

Interactions Between Experience, Genotype and Sex in the Development of Individual Coping Strategies

Coping strategies, the first line of defense against adversities, develop through experience. There is consistent evidence that both genotype and sex contribute to the development of dysfunctional coping, leading to maladaptive outcomes of adverse experiences or to adaptive coping that fosters rapid recovery even from severe stress. However, how these factors interact to influence the development of individual coping strategies is just starting to be investigated. In the following review, we will consider evidence that experience, sex, and genotype influence the brain circuits and neurobiological processes involved in coping with adversities and discuss recent results pointing to the specific effects of the interaction between early experiences, genotype, and stress in the development of functional and dysfunctional coping styles.

Adaptive coping strategies and mechanisms used by students to combat pandemic stress

The present study aims to investigate the adaptive coping strategies and mechanisms of students-future teachers in combating the stress caused by the pandemic. The subjects of the investigation were 58 master students, from the Faculty of Letters, University of Craiova, who are also studying to become teachers. The tool we used was an opinion questionnaire, through which we investigated the opinion of the subjects on the stated issue and we inventoried the ways they used to manage stress. We aimed to identify the most frequent emotional reactions of the students to the effects generated by the measures and restrictions imposed during the pandemic period, which the students critically analyzed, from the perspective of the caused shortcomings, but also the offered opportunities. We also investigated the students' opinion about the specifics of the teaching activity, carried out online, compared to the one face to face. The results obtained from the application of the instrument confirmed the research hypotheses.

The Effectiveness of Fear of Leprosy as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Resilience, Coping Resources, and Coping: A Correlation Study Through The Structural Equation Model in Patients with Leprosy

Background: Strengthening the argument for better problem solving can reduce excessive worry, so as to reduce fear due to leprosy disability, because the impact arising from leprosy disability can affect the chosen coping strategy. Methods: The purpose of this study was to test the model of the relationship between resilience, coping resources, and coping through structural equation modeling to identify the role of disability fear as a mediator. The leprosy disability fear scale, coping resources scale, and coping scale have been used to collect data, with 125 participants involved in this study through convenience sampling, consisting of women (33.60%), men 66.40 %. Structural equation model is used to test through cross-sectional design. Results: The results of the study report that there is a negative relationship between coping resources and fear of leprosy disability, and it is known that there is a positive relationship with coping. Meanwhile, The test results showed a negative relationship between resilience and fear of leprosy disability, and a positive relationship with coping. Furthermore, to coping, fear of leprosy disability shows a negative relationship. Conclusion: Coping in seeking health assistance is strongly influenced by resilience and coping resources, both directly and indirectly through the mediator of fear of leprosy disability. As a result, in seeking health assistance, individuals who have strong self-defense and have extensive coping resources, have adaptive coping, thereby reducing the fear of leprosy disability, and thus can maintain adaptive coping during the leprosy healing process.

Investigating the Impact of Isolation During COVID-19 on Family Functioning – An Australian Snapshot

This study explored possible changes in family functioning from the perspective of parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty-four parents/guardians of children under 18 years completed a semi-structured interview, average length 47 min. Interviews focussed on changes in different aspects of family functioning including family roles, routines, and rules; parenting practices; communication and relationships; and strengths, challenges, and tensions. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis applied in an idiographic and inductive manner to reduce the loss of individual experiences and perspectives. Four superordinate themes were identified: shifting family roles and boundaries throughout the pandemic; impacts on routines and relationships; opportunities and resourcing; and, experiences of support and unity. Gender differences were evident across some themes, particularly changing roles, workload and work-home boundaries. Challenges and tensions were frequently highlighted, particularly by “vulnerable” family groups such as those with children with disabilities. Parents also described a renewed sense of family and community that underpinned adaptive coping responses. The results highlight the importance of family connectedness in times of need.

Impact of COVID-19 on Older Adults: Changes in Health Access, Health, Socialization and Adaptive Coping Activities

Indirect effects of stay-at-home guidelines may negatively affect mental health by reducing health self-care behaviors and engagement in social participation. This study reports on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community-dwelling older adults’ perceived physical and mental health and everyday health behaviors. 126 older adults participated in a county-wide telephone survey during June-July of 2020, asking about changes in mental and physical health, and adaptations in health behaviors. We investigated the effects of three negative everyday health behavior changes during the pandemic (changes in health services access, perceived changes in health, and increased social isolation) as well as two positive everyday health behaviors (adherence to stay-at-home guidelines to reduce risk, and adaptive coping activities) on mental health and COVID-related distress. Examples of active coping strategies were stockpiling resources, spiritual practices, or outreach to others. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and multiple regressions characterized the impact of COVID-19 on perceived mental health. Descriptive data included changes in health service access, changes in mental and physical health, reduced social engagement, increased adherence to guidelines, and increased adaptive coping activities. Significant predictors of mental health impact of the pandemic were changes in health service access (β = .18, p < .05), health changes (β = .25, p < .01), and adaptive coping activities (β = .21, p < .05). Findings suggest COVID-19 distress may be alleviated with improved health care access and increased social contact. Mental health challenges may also benefit from increased engagement in adaptive coping activities.