Humor coping, health status, and life satisfaction among older adults residing in assisted living facilities

The present study examined the relationships between humor coping, health status, and life satisfaction among older residents of assisted living facilities. A structural equation model with latent variables was specified for the three variables. Health status was expected to directly affect humor coping and life satisfaction. Humor coping was hypothesized to have a direct association with life satisfaction and indirectly affect the relationship between health status and life satisfaction. Participants completed the Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire, Coping Humor Scale, and Life Satisfaction Index A. The relationships between health status and humor coping and health status and life satisfaction were statistically significant. Both the direct association of humor coping on life satisfaction and the intervening role between health status and life satisfaction were not supported. Humor as a coping strategy seems to be available to older adults who are in better health.     

Coping and depressive symptoms in adolescents with a chronic medical condition: A search for intervention targets

The aim of the present study was to find relevant coping factors for the development of psychological intervention programs for adolescents with a chronic medical condition. A wide range of coping techniques were studied, including cognitive coping, behavioral coping and goal adjustment coping. A total of 176 adolescents participated. They were contacted through social networking websites or Internet forums and through schools for children with a physical disability. Several cognitive and behavioral coping strategies and goal adjustment were found to be related to symptoms of depression. The cognitive coping strategies had the strongest influence on depressive symptoms. Especially self-blame, rumination and catastrophizing seemed to be important factors. If these findings can be confirmed, they could contribute to the focus and content of intervention programs for adolescents with a chronic medical condition.     

Coping and the course of mother's depressive symptoms during and after pediatric bone marrow transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of maternal coping strategies in depressive symptoms experienced by mothers of children undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT). METHOD: A total of 207 mothers completed measures of coping and depressive symptoms at the time of the child's BMT, 3 and 6 months post-BMT. The sample was collected between 1998 and 2002. The acceptance rate was 73%. The contribution of demographic, illness and treatment parameters, and mothers' concerns about the child were also evaluated. Growth curve modeling was used to evaluate the role of coping in the course of depressive symptoms. Both main effects and interactions of coping strategies with time of assessment were evaluated. RESULTS: Acceptance and humor were associated with reductions in maternal depressive symptoms, and planning and alcohol/substance use were associated with increases in maternal depressive symptoms. Positive reframing, use of emotional support, and use of religion were associated with the course of depressive symptoms, but the magnitude of associations differed depending on the use of the coping strategies at the time of transplantation. Mothers' fears about the child also predicted depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptance and humor may be targets for behavioral interventions to reduce mothers' depressive symptoms during and after pediatric BMT hospitalization.     

Coping strategies,caregiving burden,and depressive symptoms of Taiwanese mothers of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Little research focuses on the caregiving experiences of Taiwanese mothers of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The effects of the caregiving burden and coping strategies on the depressive symptoms of 60 of these mothers were examined. The adolescents they cared for ranged from 10 to 19 years old (mean age: 14.7 years). Mothers completed self-report written questionnaires. Findings indicated that greater use of problem-focused rather than emotion-focused coping was generally associated with lower levels of caregiver burden and fewer depressive symptoms. Problem-focused coping acted as a buffer when caregiving burdens were high. Specifically, actively confronting, planning, and suppressing competing activities as coping strategies moderated the effect of the caregiving burden on the depressive symptoms of these mothers. This significant buffering effect reflected adaptation to the caregiving burden. Awareness of the effects of coping strategies on maternal well-being could serve as a valuable guide for practitioners.     

Defense Reactions and Coping Strategies in Normal Adolescents

In exploring the relationship between defense reactions and coping strategies in a non-clinic sample of adolescents (N = 81), we assessed: defense structure by the Bond Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ); coping behaviors by the Coping Responses Inventory-Youth Form (CRI-Youth); and general adjustment by Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) ratings. Defense reactions and coping strategies were modestly associated and made independent contributions in predicting the GAF. Mature and immature defenses and avoidance coping comprised the optimal combination in predicting the GAF, accounting for 20% of GAF variance. It is therefore important to assess both unconscious and conscious processes when assessing general functioning in normal adolescents.     

Attitude toward humor in patients experiencing depressive symptoms

Objective: This study measures the correlation between disposition to humor and level of depression to investigate openness to humorous interventions for the treatment of depression.Design, Participants, and Measurement: Individuals (n=200) with depression received questionnaires to assess their sense of humor and attitude toward humor using the Svebak's Humor Questionnaire and a disposition toward humor questionnaire. The correlation between Svebak's Humor Questionnaire scores and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report scores was then measured. Results were further analyzed by race, age, and gender to assess any emerging trends within those groups.Results: Svebak's Humor Questionnaire mean scores remained high across gender, race, and age. However, there was not a statistically significant correlation between the level of depression and sense of humor (r=-0.22). The only significant relationship noted was between disposition toward humor and depression was for subjects aged 70 and older (r=-0.83).Conclusion: Though with certain limitations, these data provide preliminary support for the possibility that an appreciation of humor would persist despite symptoms of major depressive disorder. Clinicians could consider humor as part of an intervention in the treatment of depressive symptoms. The determination of the type of humor and manner of integrating it into therapy would require further study.     

The role of coping strategies in predicting change in parenting efficacy and depressive symptoms among mothers of adolescents with developmental disabilities

Background Parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD) face greater caregiving demands than parents of children without DD. There is considerable variability in parents' adjustment to raising a child with DD, however. In line with a strengths‐based approach, this study explores coping strategies as potential mechanisms of resilience among mothers of adolescents with DD. This study examines the frequency with which mothers use various coping strategies and the extent to which those strategies moderate the relationship between adolescent behaviour problems and aspects of maternal well‐being. Both positive and negative dimensions of well‐being are explored, with maternal depressive symptoms and perceived parenting efficacy examined as outcomes cross‐sectionally and longitudinally. Methods The present study focuses on 92 mothers and their adolescents with DD. The adolescents had a wide range of diagnoses, all with continuing special needs. Data were collected from mothers through interviews and self‐administered questionnaires when their adolescents were aged 15 and aged 18. A structured assessment of the adolescent was completed during home visits at age 15. Results Mothers reported frequently using strategies of denial and planning but rarely using strategies of mental and behavioural disengagement to cope with recent stressful situations. Adolescent behaviour problems were found to contribute to greater symptoms of depression and lower feelings of parenting efficacy as well as increases in depressive symptoms over time. Mothers of sons, but not daughters, reported increases in parenting efficacy across their child's adolescent period. Above and beyond adolescent factors, several coping strategies emerged as significant predictors of mothers' symptoms of depression and perceived parenting efficacy. Moreover, use of Active Coping/Planning, Positive Reinterpretation/Growth, and Behavioural/Mental Disengagement as coping strategies moderated the impact of adolescent behaviour problems on maternal depressive symptoms. Conclusions This study extends previous findings by focusing on both positive and negative dimensions of parent well‐being during their child's adolescent period. Adolescence can be a stressful time for parents, with typical developmental tasks entailing additional strains for parents of adolescents with DD. The present findings point to several coping strategies that may reduce the impact of challenging behaviours during this period on mothers' symptoms of depression and feelings of parenting efficacy. Certain coping strategies were found to exert a greater impact on maternal well‐being for parents of adolescents with higher levels of behaviour problems, suggesting that interventions may benefit from an increased focus on this group of mothers with heightened caregiving demands.     

Stress and Coping Predicts Adjustment and Glycemic Control in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Background

Adolescents with type 1 diabetes are at increased risk for deteriorating glycemic control, poor quality of life, and depressive symptoms. Stress and coping are related to these outcomes in adolescents with diabetes, yet few studies have examined these constructs longitudinally.

Purpose

This study aimed to describe stress and coping in adolescents with type 1 diabetes and to examine coping strategies as predictors of adolescent adjustment (i.e., depressive symptoms, quality of life) and glycemic control.

Methods

Adolescents with type 1 diabetes completed measures of diabetes-related stress, coping, symptoms of depression, and quality of life at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Data on glycemic control were collected from the adolescents’ medical charts.

Results

The adolescents’ use of primary control coping (e.g., problem solving) and secondary control engagement coping (e.g., positive thinking) strategies predicted significantly fewer problems with quality of life and fewer depressive symptoms over time. In contrast, the use of disengagement coping strategies (e.g., avoidance) predicted more problems with quality of life and depressive symptoms. Coping was not a significant predictor of glycemic control. Coping mediated the effects of diabetes-related stress on depressive symptoms and quality of life.

Conclusions

The ways in which adolescents with type 1 diabetes cope with diabetes-related stress predict quality of life and symptoms of depression but not glycemic control. Through the use of screening to identify adolescent’s diabetes-related stress and targeted interventions to improve coping strategies, there is potential to improve outcomes.

     

Clinical and Developmental Perspectives on Adolescent Coping

Although the development of appropriate coping strategies has been understood as an essential element of healthy adjustment, few studies have demonstrated the link between coping and psychological development. Similarly, research on adolescents with behavioral problems has neglected coping as an important variable in understanding and treating these conditions. This study examines the relationships between psychological development, coping strategies and symptoms in a sample of 302 psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents, ages 12–16. Subjects completed the Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Strategies Questionnaire, (A-COPE), the Youth Self Report symptom checklist (YSR), and Loevinger's measure of ego development. Results showed that Avoidance and Ventilation were associated with increased behavior problems and lower levels of ego development. Problem solving and interpersonal strategies were associated with fewer symptoms and higher levels of development. Significant gender differences were found with girls using more interpersonal coping and boys using more physically active strategies. Gender differences were also found in the relationship of coping strategies to both symptomatic behavior and development. The results are discussed in the context of a developmental approach to adolescent psychopathology.     

Early menarche,depressive symptoms,and coping strategies

During the time around menarche, young women must make many emotional and social adjustments to adapt to a new life stage. We compared depressive symptomatology and coping strategies between early and average maturer Mexican adolescents girls. The relationships between elapsed time since menarche and both depressive symptomatology and coping strategies were also studied. Three hundred eighty post-menarcheal students from 11 to 15 years completed the Children's Depression Scale and the Children's Situational Coping Scale. Early maturers showed more depressive symptoms than their peers, but they reported having used fewer non-productive coping strategies. Early maturers who experienced menarche one to three years previously reported more non-productive coping strategies than those who had experienced menarche four to six years ago. However, no differences were found in the results of the average maturers depending on the time elapsed since menarche. These findings are discussed in light of the psychosocial context of early maturers.     

Adolescent vulnerability and the distress of rejection: Associations of adjustment problems and gender with control,emotions, and coping

We examined adjustment problems as risks for patterns of emotions, appraisals, and coping with rejection, and explored whether these processes could account for sex (boy/girl) differences in coping. Young adolescents (N = 669, grades 6–8) completed questionnaires, which assessed responses to peer rejection threat with two short scenarios. Using structural equation modeling to test a multivariate process model, adolescents with heightened social anxiety had the most maladaptive responses to rejection threat, including elevated emotional reactions, more self-blame, and coping using more social isolation, rumination and opposition. Adolescents reporting more depressive symptoms felt less control and anticipated using less adaptive coping (less support seeking, distraction, and negotiation), whereas aggressive adolescents responded with more anger and coped via opposition. Moreover, as anticipated, sex differences in coping, symptoms, emotions, and appraisals were found. However, coping differences between boys and girls were mostly nonsignificant after accounting for symptoms, aggression, emotional reactions, and appraisals.     

Coping, affective distress, and psychosocial adjustment among people with traumatic upper limb amputations

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety in a sample of predominantly elderly males with acquired upper limb amputations (n=138) and examined the contribution of coping strategies to the prediction of psychosocial adjustment. METHOD: One hundred and thirty-eight men with injury-related upper limb amputations completed self-report questionnaires assessing coping strategies, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and psychosocial adaptation to prosthesis use. RESULTS: Prevalence of significant depressive symptoms was 28.3% [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Depression subscale (HADS-D) score > or =8]. Prevalence of significant anxiety symptoms was 35.5% [HADS Anxiety subscale (HADS-A) score > or =8]. Coping styles emerged as important predictors of psychosocial adaptation. In particular, avoidance was strongly associated with psychological distress and poor adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the potential benefits of interventions to reduce reliance on avoidant coping and stimulate more problem-focused approaches to coping with difficulties and challenges in order to facilitate adaptation and prevent problems in psychosocial functioning postamputation.     

Contextual life stress and coping strategies as predictors of adjustment to breast cancer survivorship

Background/Purpose: The study presented here examined the influence of contextual life stress and coping strategies on change in adjustment over the year following completion of treatment for breast cancer. We also investigated whether contextual stressful life events moderate the relationship between coping strategies and adjustment, such that cancer-specific emotional approach coping processes would predict better psychosocial outcomes only in the context of lower life stress and would have less impact on adaptation in the context of heightened life stress.Methods: In a sample of women (n = 558) who had recently completed treatment for nonmetastatic breast cancer and were part of a psychoeducational intervention trial to facilitate the transition to survivorship, life stress in the year prior to study entry, cancer-specific coping strategies, and general and cancer-specific adjustment were assessed at baseline, and adjustment outcomes (i.e., vitality, depressive symptoms, cancer-specific distress, personal growth) also were assessed at 6-month (n = 417) and 12-month (n = 397) follow-up.Results/Conclusions: Although cross-sectional relationships between life stress and adjustment were demonstrated, findings suggest that contextual life stress does not appear to have a direct influence on change in adjustment in the first year after breast cancer treatment. Instead, life stress interacted with cancer-specific coping to predict adjustment, such that cancer-specific emotional approach coping was adaptive only under conditions of low contextual life stress. This research is supported by Public Health Service grant R01-CA63028 (to P. A. Ganz) from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services.     

Do humor styles mediate or moderate the relationship between self-criticism and neediness and depressive symptoms?

This study examined whether, in a community sample of Israeli adults (N = 335), benign (i.e., affiliative and self-enhancing) and injurious (i.e., aggressive and self-defeating) humor styles mediated or moderated the relationship between self-criticism and neediness, two traits that confer vulnerability to depression, on the one hand, and levels of depressive symptoms, on the other. There was no evidence of any moderating effect of humor styles on the relationship between self-criticism and neediness and depressive symptoms. However, results indicated that the use of injurious styles of humor mediated the relationship between self-criticism and depressive symptoms as well as the relationship between neediness and depressive symptoms. Moreover, the relationship between neediness and depressive symptoms was also mediated by low levels of benign humor. These findings may have important implications for theories concerning vulnerability to depressive symptoms and intervention strategies.     

Self-system Processes as a Mediator of School Connectedness and Depressive Symptomatology in African American and European American Adolescents

School connectedness, or how much an adolescent feels supported and accepted at their school, can protect children negative adolescent mental health outcomes, including depressive symptoms. One potential explanatory mechanism for the relationship between school connectedness and depressive symptoms may be organized views of the self, called self-system processes. Self-system processes were conceptualized in this study as a composite of self-esteem, coping efficacy, and perceived competence. The present study tested self-system processes as a mediator of the relationship between school connectedness and depressive symptoms in a sample of 260 African American and European American adolescents aged 13–19 years. Self-system processes partially mediated the relationship between school connectedness and depressive symptoms for African American adolescents and fully mediated this relationship for European American adolescents. These findings underscore the need for a better understanding of how school-related variables differentially impact mental health outcomes for specific racial groups.     

Early adolescent depressive mood: direct and indirect effects of attributional styles and coping

The present study used a cross-sectional survey design to examine how adolescent depressive mood was related to attributional styles and coping strategies with a sample of 326 youths (aged 8–14 years). With the cutting point adopted in the West, 20.9% of the current sample reported depressive symptoms. Regression analysis results show that, with the asymptomatic group, seeking social support strategy mediated the effects of positive-global and positive-stable attribution, and internalization strategy mediated the effects of negative-global attribution on depression mood. In the dysphoric adolescents, attributing positive events to global factors and seeking social support strategy predicted depressive mood in the negative direction whereas attributing negative events to global factors, problem solving strategy and internalization strategy, the positive direction. The current study confirmed that both attributional styles and coping strategies were significant predictors of depressive mood but different dimensions of attribution related to depressive symptoms in different magnitude.     

Hope and coping in family members of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects approximately 2-4% of the adult population. Despite the practical and emotional demands of having a family member with OCD, few systematic attempts have been made to assess the coping strategies used by relatives of individuals with such diagnoses. In this study we examined the relationships between hope, coping strategies, and depressive symptoms in a heterogeneous sample of 67 spouses/primary caregivers of individuals with a history of OCD. In support of our hypotheses, hope was negatively related to depressive symptoms, symptom severity, and denial disengagement coping strategies, and positively related to active reframing and social support coping strategies. Active, Reframing, Social Support, and Religiosity were negatively related to depressive symptoms. Denial/Disengagement was positively associated with depressive symptoms. Coping mediated the relationship between hope and depressive symptoms. Given the importance of family members in treatment, clinical implications of these findings are discussed.     

A longitudinal study of the associations among adolescent conflict resolution styles, depressive symptoms, and romantic relationship longevity

This study investigated whether adolescents' conflict resolution styles mediated between depressive symptoms and relationship longevity. Data were used from a sample of 80 couples aged 13-19 years old (Mage?=?15.48, SD?=?1.16). At Time 1 adolescents reported their depressive symptoms and conflict resolution styles. Additionally, time until break-up was assessed. Data were analyzed using actor-partner interdependence models. Results showed no support for conflict resolution styles as mediators. Girls' depressive symptoms were directly related to shorter relationships. Additionally, actor effects were found indicating that boys and girls with more depressive symptoms used negative resolution styles and were less likely to employ positive problems solving strategies. Finally, one partner effect was found: girls' depressive symptoms related to more positive problem solving in boys.     

The Relationship Between Perceived Family Support and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescence: What is the Moderating Role of Coping Strategies and Gender?

This study examined the moderating role of gender and coping strategies in the relationship between perceived family support, self-esteem and depressive symptoms. Data were used from the My World Survey Second Level (MWS-SL), a national survey of mental health among 6062 young people aged 12–19 years. Conditional process analyses indicated that planned coping moderated the relationship between perceived family support and depressive symptoms for those engaging in low-moderate levels but not high levels of planned coping, and this moderating role was stronger for females than males. Avoidance coping was a moderator for those engaging in moderate-high but not low levels of avoidance coping, and gender also moderated this relationship. Support-focused coping only moderated the perceived family support/depressive symptoms relationship for females. Findings suggest that the strength of the relationship between perceived family support and depressive symptoms depends on level of engagement with a particular coping strategy, and this engagement is a consistently stronger moderator for females.