Suicide and coping: specific coping behaviours associated with suicidal ideation and differences between predicted and actual coping among help-seeking individuals

Suicide is a substantial contributor to global mortality, with suicidal ideation (SI) a significant predictor of suicide. Research has demonstrated relationships between dispositional coping styles and SI. This study aimed to advance this research by moving from the disposition coping level to examining the specific coping strategies people use when experiencing SI. Further, it aimed to examine whether prediction of the coping strategies individuals would use if they experienced SI differs from the actual coping strategies employed by people that have experienced SI. Seventy-seven help-seeking adults (Mage = 31.6, SD = 10.4) with (n = 49) or without (n = 28) history of SI completed measures of SI-related coping (modified Brief COPE) and current emotional distress (DASS-21) via online survey. ANCOVA revealed a significant association between SI history status and endorsement of Problem-Focused coping strategies, while controlling for current emotional distress levels. Participants without SI history reported greater predicted Problem-Focused coping use than actual use reported by participants with SI history. Subsequent facet-level ANCOVAs demonstrated that participants without SI history predicted they would use Active Coping, Use of Informational Support, and Planning strategies to a greater extent than was reported by people who did experience SI. The findings suggest individuals without SI history may overestimate their ability to use such adaptive coping strategies, and may represent an overestimation of overall ability to cope with potential SI. Future research may build on these preliminary findings and examine the factors explaining these differences to help inform programs related to SI and coping.

Strategi Koping dan Stres pada Mahasiswa: Studi Pendahuluan Promosi Kesehatan Mental Berbasis Sekolah

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi kondisi kesehatan mental mahasiswa melalui desain penelitian cross-sectional survey. Instrumen dalam penelitian ini menggunakan open-ended questionnaire, perceived stress scale-10 (PSS-10), dan the Brief COPE Questionnaire. Hasil penelitian menemukan bahwa: 1) permasalahan kehidupan kampus, perasaan dan pikiran negatif, serta permasalahan relasi merupakan situasi sulit yang dihadapi oleh mahasiswa; 2) sebanyak 50.45% mahasiswa mengalami stres pada kategori sedang, 45.05% mengalami stres pada kategori tinggi, dan 4.5% mengalami stres pada kategori rendah; 3) strategi koping dapat memprediksi stres secara signifikan [F(14,96)=5.781; p<0.001]; dan 4) strategi koping jenis positive reframing dan active coping dapat memprediksi penurunan stres, sedangkan strategi koping jenis self-blame dan self-distraction dapat memprediksi peningkatan stres

Pre-surgery supportive and goal-oriented strategies are associated with lower post-surgery perceived distress in women diagnosed with breast cancer

Background Psycho-oncology literature pointed out that individual health outcomes may depend on patients’ propensity to adopt approach or, conversely, avoidant coping strategies. Nevertheless, coping factors associated with postoperative distress remain unclear, unfolding the lack of tailored procedures to help breast cancer patients manage the psychological burden of scheduled surgery. In view of this, the present study aimed at investigating: 1. pre-/post-surgery distress variations occurring among women diagnosed with breast cancer; 2. the predictivity of approach and avoidant coping strategies and factors in affecting post-surgery perceived distress. Methods N = 150 patients (mean age = 59.37; SD = ± 13.23) scheduled for breast cancer surgery were administered a screening protocol consisting of the Distress Thermometer (DT) and the Brief-COPE. The DT was used to monitor patients’ distress levels before and after surgery (± 7 days), whereas the Brief-COPE was adopted only preoperatively to evaluate patients’ coping responses to the forthcoming surgical intervention. Non-parametric tests allowed for the detection of pre-/post-surgery variations in patients’ perceived distress. Factor analysis involved the extraction and rotation of principal components derived from the Brief-COPE strategies. The predictivity of such coping factors was investigated through multiple regression (Backward Elimination). Results The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test yielded a significant variation in DT mean scores (TW = -5,68 < -zα/2 = -1,96; p < .001) indicative of lower perceived distress following surgery. The four coping factors extracted and Varimax-rotated were, respectively: 1. cognitive processing (i.e., planning + acceptance + active coping + positive reframing); 2. support provision (i.e., instrumental + emotional support); 3. emotion-oriented detachment (i.e., self-blame + behavioral disengagement + humor + denial); 4. goal-oriented detachment (i.e., self-distraction). Among these factors, support provision (B = .458; β = − .174; t = − 2.03; p = .045), encompassing two approach coping strategies, and goal-oriented detachment (B = .446; β = − .176; t = − 2.06; p = .042), consisting of one avoidant strategy, were strongly related to post-surgery distress reduction. Conclusion The present investigation revealed that the pre-surgery adoption of supportive and goal-oriented strategies led to postoperative distress reduction among breast cancer patients. These findings highlight the importance of timely psychosocial screening and proactive interventions in order to improve patients’ recovery and prognosis.

Nivel de estrés y estrategias de afrontamiento utilizadas por estudiantes de la licenciatura en Enfermería

Objective: Determine the relationship between the stress level and the coping strategies used by students of the Bachelor’s Degree of Nursing in institutions of higher education of Ciudad Obregón, Sonora. Methodology: Descriptive and correlational study; the population was comprised by 250 students whose age ranged from 18 and 46 years. Data was collected through a questionnaire of sociodemographic characteristics, the perceived stress level instrument, and the Brief COPE questionnaire.Results: 74.4% of the sample was comprised by women and 25.6% by men. It was found that both genders had a moderate level of stress (78%), in terms of the coping strategies most frequently used by the students, the emotional active coping was the one found. The correlation analysis was performed using Pearson's chi-square non-parametric test (x2) to probe the existence of relationship between the stress level and coping strategies (p=0.67). Based on the results of x2 (p=0.067), an additional analysis was carried out separating the categories of each one of the variables of study; Pearson’s test was used to find a significant correlation between low stress level and active emotional coping strategy (p=0.27) and between high stress level and avoidance emotional coping strategy (p=-0.01).Conclusions: The highest levels of stress are manifested by students who study only theoretical subjects. It is suggested the implementation of interventions related to the adequate management of stress. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre el nivel de estrés y las estrategias de afrontamiento utilizadas por estudiantes de la Licenciatura en Enfermería en Instituciones de Educación Superior (IES) de Ciudad Obregón, Sonora.Metodología: Estudio no experimental y correlacional; se empleó un muestreo probabilístico estratificado de 250 estudiantes, con edades entre los 18 y 46 años de edad. Los datos fueron recabados mediante un cuestionario de características sociodemográficas, el instrumento del nivel de estrés percibido y para medir afrontamiento el Brief COPE Inventory. Resultados: El 74.4% de la muestra fueron mujeres y el 25.6% hombres, ambos géneros exhibieron nivel de estrés moderado (78%), la estrategia de afrontamiento reportada con mayor frecuencia fue afrontamiento activo emocional. Se empleó la prueba no paramétrica chi-cuadrada de Pearson (χ2) para probar la existencia de asociación entre el nivel de estrés y las estrategias de afrontamiento (p= 0.67). Con base a los resultados de χ2 (p=.067) se realizó un análisis adicional separando las categorías de cada una de las variables de estudio, se utilizó la prueba de Pearson con la cual se encontró correlación significativa entre el nivel de estrés bajo y la estrategia afrontamiento activo emocional, (p=0.27) y entre nivel de estrés alto y estrategia de afrontamiento emocional por evitación (p=-.01).Conclusiones: Los niveles más altos de estrés lo manifiestan estudiantes que cursan solo materias teóricas. Se sugiere la implementación de intervenciones relacionadas al manejo adecuado del estrés.

Medical Students’ Mental Health Status and Coping Strategies in Their Quarantine Period During COVID-19 Pandemic in Universiti Putra Malaysia

Movement control order (MCO) was enforced by the Malaysian government on 18th March 2020 due to sudden increase in the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases. University students, including medical students, were among the group of the population which were significantly affected. This study was conducted among medical students in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to compare the mental health status and coping strategies, between gender and phase of the clinical study related to their quarantine status between 18th March 2020 to 9th June 2020. This was a cross-sectional study involving the undergraduate medical students in UPM in the academic year of 2019/2020 during the MCO. A stratified random sampling method was used; a total of 173 respondents which includes students of Year 1 to Year 5 participated. The study was conducted after five months since the first day of MCO, for one week period of data collection. The mental health status was assessed using Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21-item (DASS-21) questionnaire. Four-point Likert scale was scored to determine the degree of severity. The coping strategies was assessed using Brief-COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) in which four-point Likert scale was used as well, and the total marks were grouped into four coping strategies. This study found higher scores of DASS-21 in the non-quarantined group and approach method was considered as a favourable coping strategy in both groups. In the quarantined group, female and clinical students showed higher scores of DASS-21. In the non-quarantined group, clinical students showed a significantly higher score of stress while male students significantly used their humour as coping strategies.

Validation of Sinhala Version of Brief COPE Scale in Patients with Cancer in Sri Lanka

Background Coping strategies are essential in the cancer management/recovery process and show an integral part in patients with cancer globally. In Sri Lanka, validated scales to measure coping are scarce. This study was examined the Sinhalese version of the Brief COPE for its psychometric properties. Methods This scale is self-administered (28 items) and consists of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies; divided into 14 subscales. Cancer patients were registered ‘first come - first serve’ basis using their appointment register at the Radiotherapy Unit, Oncology ward, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Galle, Sri Lanka. They were requested to complete the Sinhalese version of the Brief COPE and demographic details. Test-retest reliability was checked using the same subjects two weeks later. Factorial validity was performed using exploratory factor and principal component analysis. Results were regarded as statistically significant if p < 0.05. Results The mean (±SD) age of the sample was 61(±12) years. The mean adaptive coping (±SD) and maladaptive coping were 37.50 (±8.14) and 17.10 (±2.44) respectively. The internal consistency of the overall scale was good (Cronbach’s alpha - 0.819). Adaptive and maladaptive coping showed a high Cronbach’s alpha (0.861 and 0.396). The test-retest reliability was found to be 0.66. The Sinhala version of BC was found to have a negative correlation with the CES-D scale but was positively correlated with the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Seven factors were extracted. Conclusion The Sinhala version of the Brief COPE is a valid and reliable tool to assess coping strategies among patients with cancer. The findings of this study would let the health authorities get an understanding of coping strategies among patients with cancer; and the impact on cancer victims and family members to relieve their suffering.

Help-Seeking as a Maladaptive Coping Style in the Pandemic Scenario: What Worked and What Did Not for Facing This New Stressor

The spread of COVID-19 and its related confinement measures were important stressors for a large part of the global population, with massive effects on both physical and mental health. Assessing how individuals coped with such a stressor and which strategies were effective is one of the main challenges for psychological research. In this study, we aimed to investigate the coping strategies implied during the COVID-19 lockdown and their effectiveness. We recruited 374 Italian participants through convenience sampling during the first pandemic wave (April 2020). We administered to our participants an online battery of questionnaires including the Brief COPE, the use of alternative coping strategies proposed by the WHO to help people facing lockdown stress, and a range of psychological symptoms. An exploratory factor analysis conducted on the subscales of the Brief COPE revealed a three-factor structure. Following the previous literature, we named these factors engagement, disengagement, and help-seeking coping styles. In the pandemic scenario, the engagement and disengagement styles revealed the typical correlation patterns with psychological symptoms (i.e., the engagement was adaptive while the disengagement was maladaptive). Instead, contrary to previous literature, help-seeking was positively related to psychological symptoms, suggesting a mismatch between searching for help and finding it during the lockdown. This result supports the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of coping strategies in the pandemic scenario, to give more compelling and precise advice to the population.

Association of Levels of Anxiety in Resident Doctors with Factors related to the Postgraduate Training in Teaching Hospitals

Objective: To assess level of anxiety, its associated factors and coping strategies in postgraduate trainees of public and private teaching hospitals of Karachi Study Design and Setting: It was a cross-sectional study. The data was collected from different major teaching hospitals February 2019 till April Methodology: A total of 230 postgraduate trainees were interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire specifically designed for this study which included General Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale and Brief COPE Questionnaire. Data were analyzed on SPSS version 21. Chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression was performed and P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant Results: Total 39.6% of the participants had no anxiety, 34.3% had mild, 16.1% had moderate while 10.0% had severe anxiety. Being single, nuclear family system and low monthly household income had higher odds of having severe anxiety (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR); 5.50, 95% CI 1.38,22.14, AOR; 2.50, 95% CI 0.83,7.51 and AOR; 3.17, 95% CI 0.96,10.49 respectively). Severe anxiety was also highly associated with irregular sleep pattern (AOR; 2.06, 95% CI 0.70, 6.06), no daily exercise (AOR; 5.01, 95% CI 1.21, 2.69) and lack of job satisfaction (AOR; 2.64, 95% CI 0.90, 7.90). The most frequently adapted coping strategies by participants who were found to have anxiety were, planning (89.9%), acceptance (87%) and religion (85.6%). Conclusion: Postgraduate trainees should be provided with psychological counseling and support at workplace to keep them mentally healthy to enhance their everyday performance in dealing and treating patients

Coping Strategies as Predictors of COVID-19 related Anxiety among General Physicians of Faisalabad

Emergence of COVID-19 pandemic created numerous physical and psychosocial upheavals for all. Specifically, health care professionals are at great risk of being contaminated by this life-threatening virus; consequently, they may prone to fear and anxiety related to COVID-19 situation. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the coping strategies as predictors of COVID-19 in general physicians of Faisalabad. The present correlational study was done on general physicians working in the outpatient departments of public and private sector hospitals of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Demographic Information Form, Brief Cope Scale and COVID-19 related Anxiety Scale were used to meet the present objectives. Multiple regression analysis revealed active coping (? = -.247, t(118) = -2.446, p < .05), venting (? = .332, t(118) = 3.959, p < .001), religion (? = -.274, t(118) = -3.058, p < .01), emotional support (? =.207, t(118) = 2.085, p < .05), behavioral disengagement (? = .336, t(118) = 3.873, p < .001), humor (? = -.199, t(118) = -2.659, p < .01) and substance use (? = .363, t(118) = 4.158, p < .001) as significant predictors of COVID-19 related anxiety in general physicians. Three types of coping strategies seemed effective in overcoming COVID-19 related anxiety among general physicians. However, venting, behavioral disengagement, emotional support and substance abuse may decrease the COVID-19 related anxiety, if are used less by general physicians at work. The present findings have implications for general physicians who need to use coping strategies which may effectively reduce their anxiety associated with COVID-19 situation.

Fear of Prognosis? How Anxiety, Coping, and Expected Burden Impact the Decision to Have Cytogenetic Assessment in Uveal Melanoma Patients

BackgroundCytogenetic testing (CGT) in uveal melanoma patients reveals prognostic information about the individual risk of developing distant metastasis with dismal prognosis. There is currently no medical intervention strategy with proven effect on the prognosis, rendering the result of the cytogenetic testing purely informative. We explored patients’ socio-demographic backgrounds, psychological preconditions, coping strategies, external influences, and concerns about “knowing their fate” to study their possible interactions with decision-making for CGT.MethodsUveal melanoma patients were asked to complete questionnaires on their interest in undergoing CGT for prognostication and the factors influencing their decision. Data were collected on socio-demographics, baseline anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), coping strategies (Brief Cope), and assumed future concerns regarding the CGT result. Data were analyzed by using multiple ordinal logistic regression and exploring estimated marginal effects.ResultsQuestionnaires were returned by 121 of 131 (92.4%) patients. Fifty-two patients (43%) had no interest in CGT, 34 (28.1%) were undecided, and 35 (28.9%) were interested. We observed no significant differences regarding age, sex, partnership, education, occupation, baseline anxiety, or depression. Decision-making favoring CGT was influenced by the treating physicians, internet resources, and level of baseline anxiety. Patients were likely to reject CGT when they worried that “knowing the result will have an unintended influence” on their life.ConclusionDecision-making about CGT for prognostication in uveal melanoma is burdensome to many patients and in general not guided by medical advice regarding further treatment and screening procedures. The psychological impact of the decision is therefore unique and requires careful support by psycho-oncologists considering the patient’s fears and expectations.