Living with epilepsy: ordinary people coping with extraordinary situations

This replicated study explores the ordinary people theory generated in the original research among American youth with cystic fibrosis through the experience of Israeli youth with epilepsy. The authors used the qualitative life history method in a sample of 14 adolescents and young adults with epilepsy. They employed the constant comparative method of analysis to analyze the data collected from the in-depth interviews. The results show that epilepsy was not central to the participants' everyday lives. Their perceptions of the disease followed developmental stages. The authors found that coping methods were adaptive and took into account social stigma and practical outcomes. This study provides a positive and normalcy perspective of exploring the lifestyle of people with chronic diseases and disabilities as opposed to deficit models. It adds to the trustworthiness of the model's cross-cultural applicability through its use in a different context among a population with a different diagnosis.     

CCopeY: A Mixed-Methods Coproduced Study on the Mental Health Status and Coping Strategies of Young People During COVID-19 UK Lockdown

PurposeExploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people’s mental health is an increasing priority. Studies to date are largely surveys and lack meaningful involvement from service users in their design, planning, and delivery. The study aimed to examine the mental health status and coping strategies of young people during the first UK COVID-19 lockdown using coproduction methodology.MethodsThe mental health status of young people (aged 16–24) in April 2020 was established utilizing a sequential explanatory coproduced mixed methods design. Factors associated with poor mental health status, including coping strategies, were also examined using an online survey and semi-structured interviews.ResultsSince the lockdown, 30.3% had poor mental health, and 10.8% had self-harmed. Young people identifying as Black/Black-British ethnicity had the highest increased odds of experiencing poor mental health (odds ratio [OR] 3.688, 95% CI .54–25.40). Behavioral disengagement (OR 1.462, 95% CI 1.22–1.76), self-blame (OR 1.307 95% CI 1.10–1.55), and substance use (OR 1.211 95% CI 1.02–1.44) coping strategies, negative affect (OR 1.109, 95% CI 1.07–1.15), sleep problems (OR .915 95% CI .88–.95) and conscientiousness personality trait (OR .819 95% CI .69–.98) were significantly associated with poor mental health. Three qualitative themes were identified: (1) pre-existing/developed helpful coping strategies employed, (2) mental health difficulties worsened, and (3) mental health and nonmental health support needed during and after lockdown.ConclusionPoor mental health is associated with dysfunctional coping strategies. Innovative coping strategies can help other young people cope during and after lockdowns, with digital and school promotion and application.     

Exploring health-related experiences of children and young people with congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine the health-related experiences of children with congenital heart disease. DESIGN: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews. PARTICIPANTS: A purposive sample (N = 35) of children and young people, aged between 8 and 19 years, with a variety of congenital heart conditions recruited from one treatment care centre in the north of England. RESULTS: The main themes identified included: physical limitations of their condition; restrictions; attitudes of others; choices about information; coping with life and privacy. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that while many of this sample of children said that they coped well with their condition some children did experience significant impact on their quality of life in several domains. Children and young people identified a need for improved strategies to help them communicate about their condition with peers, schoolteachers and health-care professionals to allow a better understanding of what they are able to achieve.     

Psychosocial Differences Between Urban and Rural People Living With HIV/AIDS

Abstract: During the past decade, many investigations have examined the life circumstances of people living with HIV disease. Most of these studies, however, have focused on HIV-infected people in large metropolitan areas. This study compares the psychosocial profiles of rural and urban people living with HIV disease. Anonymous, self-administered surveys were completed by 276 people with HIV/AIDS in a Midwestern state. The assessment instrument measured respondents' quality of life, perceptions of loneliness, social support, experiences with AIDS-related discrimination, access to services, and illness-related coping strategies. Compared with their urban counterparts, rural people with HIV reported a significantly lower satisfaction with life, lower perceptions of social support from family members and friends, reduced access to medical and mental health care, elevated levels of loneliness, more community stigma, heightened personal fear that their HIV serostatus would be learned by others, and more maladaptive coping strategies. Programs that are designed to improve the life circumstances of people with HIV disease in rural areas—particularly those that facilitate access to adequate health care, increase perceptions of social support, and improve illness-related coping—are urgently needed.     

COPING WITH THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LIFE EVENTS,COPING STRATEGIES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS

The aims of this paper are to distinguish between effective and ineffective coping strategies for dealing with adverse life events occurring in different domains of a person's environment; to identify persons most at risk for deploying ineffective strategies; and to indicate interventions designed to promote effective strategies and limit the use of ineffective strategies. Recent research has suggested that different strategies may be effective for dealing with different events (stressors) and, in particular, that instrumental strategies are effective for events which present mainly cognitive problems; that affective strategies are effective for emotional problems and that avoidance strategies may be effective for uncontrollable events. Adverse events in three domains are considered in this paper: job and financial events, health events and personal relationship events. The evidence indicates that instrumental strategies are effective for all these events, that affective regulation strategies are ineffective, and that avoidance strategies are harmful. Data come from two waves of an Australian panel study (1983–85; n = 734). Respondents completed a life events inventory and were then shown a list of coping strategies and asked how they had coped with the most serious problem they had faced in the last two years. Effective coping was defined as coping which led to minimal increases in psychological distress (PD). Women, people of higher socio-economic status (SES) and people who rated high on the traits warmth and openness to feelings more frequently used effective instrumental strategies. People who rated high on neuroticism and openness to feelings were more likely to use avoidance strategies.     

Toddlers' adjustment to the stress of immunization in function of mothers' general and specific coping tendencies

The aim of this research is to assess the relative influence of mothers' coping strategies in everyday life and mothers' specific coping acts on toddlers' adjustment behavior to pain and distress during a routine immunization. The population is 41 mothers with toddlers (23 girls, 18 boys; mean age, 22.7 months) undergoing a routine immunization in private pediatrician practices. Mothers completed questionnaires about their own coping tendencies and about their toddler's preparation for the immunization. Toddlers' emotional adjustment to the situation was assessed by pediatricians. Results show that children who were informed by their mothers beforehand about the immunization were less distressed. Mothers were more likely to inform their toddler when their general coping options were rather self-oriented than child-oriented and when they were not using avoidant coping strategies. Mothers' own emotional regulation is thus related to coping with medical procedures in their young children.     

Quality of life and coping strategies among lung transplant candidates and their family caregivers

Although numerous studies have examined coping strategies and quality of life (QOL) among patients with chronic diseases and their family caregivers, no studies have examined the reciprocal effects of patient and caregiver coping strategies on their dyad partner's QOL. Because most people who cope with stressful health experiences do so within the context of interpersonal relationships, it is important to understand the ways in which the two partners' coping strategies may reciprocally affect each other's QOL. Adult lung transplant candidates and their caregivers (N=114 pairs) participated in semi-structured interviews that included measures of QOL and coping with patients' health-related problems. Multivariate, canonical correlation analyses were performed to examine unique patterns of associations between coping and QOL in patient-caregiver dyads. Better patient QOL, across multiple domains, was associated with better caregiver QOL. Multiple elements of patients' coping, including greater use of active coping and emotionally oriented coping were related to generally poorer patient QOL in psychosocial and physical domains. Similarly, caregivers who used more emotionally oriented coping had poorer QOL. There was no statistically reliable relationship between either (a) patient and caregiver use of coping strategies, or (b) caregiver coping and patient QOL. However, patients' coping strategies were important correlates of caregivers' QOL. These findings belie common clinical beliefs that family members' coping responses to patients' health are likely to affect patient well-being. Instead, patients' coping and QOL may be critical for understanding caregiver well-being, especially in the current era in which caregivers are assuming increased responsibility for providing patient care.     

Young people and mental health: novel methods for systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators

This paper describes how barriers to, and facilitators of, good mental health amongst young people (11-21 years) were elucidated from a systematic review of studies of young people's views and how these barriers and facilitators were compared with effectiveness studies to identify effective and appropriate interventions, promising interventions needing further evaluation and the need for further intervention. All studies were published before 2000. No clear pattern for effectiveness emerged in terms of mental health promotion focus, the type of intervention, intervention provider or young people. Well-evaluated interventions neither always target what we know young people themselves see as important barriers to their mental health (for instance, loss of friends and family, violence and bullying) nor always build on what they see as key facilitators, particularly their preferred coping strategies. In particular, while young people see material and physical resources as major influences on their mental health, few evaluated interventions targeted these. Rigorously evaluated interventions more often addressed priorities not raised by young people themselves and populations at low risk for mental health problems. These innovative review methods can inform intervention development and evaluation in a new way based on the strengths and needs identified by the target population.     

Emotion Regulation,Coping and Alcohol Use as Moderators in the Relationship Between Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Psychological Distress

Non-suicidal self-injury is a risk factor for more severe self-injury and later suicide, yet is relatively under-researched in non-clinical populations. In order to prevent more severe self-injury and later suicide, understanding of non-suicidal self-injury is imperative. This study aimed to examine whether coping skills, emotion regulation and alcohol use moderate the relationship between psychological distress and non-suicidal self-injury. Two hundred eighty-nine young adults completed self-report questionnaires assessing the variables of interest. Of the sample, 47.4% reported a history of non-suicidal self-injury. Adaptive coping strategies protected those who were psychologically distressed from severe self-injury. However for those who reported greater distress, this protective effect was negated by heavy alcohol use. Coping skills training may serve to protect young people from self-injury, although those who are severely distressed may also benefit from strategies to limit alcohol use.     

Coping and resilience in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Background Adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) must cope with the ongoing stress of treatment management, so it is important to identify the most adaptive coping strategies. Previous studies, however, have typically measured broad categories of coping (e.g. approach/avoidance) and few used instruments specifically designed for this population. Objective This article aimed to use a developmentally sensitive coping measure to explore how the use of specific coping strategies impacts resilience (i.e. quality of life, competence and metabolic control) in adolescents with T1D. Methods Thirty adolescents with T1D between the ages of 10 and 16 and their mothers completed questionnaires on adolescents' coping strategy use, competence and quality of life. Clinical data (i.e. HbA1c) were obtained from adolescents' medical records. Results Greater use of primary control coping strategies (e.g. problem solving, emotional expression) was associated with higher competence scores, better quality of life and better metabolic control. Secondary control coping strategies (e.g. acceptance, distraction) were related to higher social competence, better quality of life and better metabolic control. Finally, the use of disengagement coping strategies (e.g. withdrawal or denial) was linked with lower competence and poorer metabolic control. Conclusions The results of this study support the use of developmentally sensitive coping measures by researchers and clinicians to determine the most effective coping strategies for adolescents with T1D.     

"My greatest dream is to be normal": the impact of gender on the depression narratives of young Swedish men and women

Depression is common among young people. Gender differences in diagnosing depression appear during adolescence. The study aim was to explore the impact of gender on depression in young Swedish men and women. Grounded theory was used to analyze interviews with 23 young people aged 17 to 25 years who had been diagnosed with depression. Their narratives were marked by a striving to be normal and disclosed strong gender stereotypes, constructed in interaction with parents, friends, and the media. Gender norms were upheld by feelings of shame, and restricted the acting space of our informants. However, we also found transgressions of these gender norms. Primary health care workers could encourage young men to open up emotionally and communicate their personal distress, and young women to be daring and assertive of their own strengths, so that both genders might gain access to the positive coping strategies practiced respectively by each.     

Role of Gender in Coping Capabilities among Young Visually Disabled Students

This study aims to detect the role of gender in coping capabilities among young visually disabled students attending two schools for blindness. The WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS II), 36-Item Interviewer Administered translated Arabic version was used. It evaluates six domains of everyday living in the last 30 days. These domains are: understanding and communicating, getting around, self care, getting along with people, household activities and participation in society. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews of 200 students who represented the target population of the study. Binary logistic regression analysis of the scores of the six domains revealed that in almost all the domains except for getting around with people and coping with school activities, females significantly faced more difficulties in coping with daily life activities than did their male counterparts. Getting older was a significant factor in increasing difficulties in coping with school activities. Genetic factor was a dominating factor in causing and increasing the difficulties score. Conclusion and recommendations: Female gender was more susceptible to facing more difficulties in coping with visual disability than males. Early rehabilitation measures should be applied to assist the coping and adaptation of the visually disabled in all aspects of everyday living activities.     

1485例中学生心理应激源和应对方式的分析

目的分析中学生心理常见应激源和应对方式,为了解中学生心理需求和制定干预政策提供依据。方法通过整群抽样选取1485例学生以青少年生活事件量表和简化中学生应对方式量表进行测量。结果学习压力因子与人际关系因子得分分别是1.37±0.84和1.27±0.91,为最主要的应激源。问题解决因子得分2.73±0.56是中学生最常用的应对方式。应激源和应对方式在年级、学习成绩,家庭因素等分层因素存在差异。相关性总体上,问题指向等积极应对方式与应激源呈负相关而消极应对方式与应激源呈正相关。结论中学生日常生活构成心理应激源,应关注发生重大生活事件的学生,在学校应加强心理健康教育和建设心理健康服务以满足学生的需求。     

Exploring the Feasibility and Benefits of Arts-Based Mindfulness-Based Practices with Young People in Need: Aiming to Improve Aspects of Self-Awareness and Resilience

Research in mindfulness-based methods with young people is just emerging in the practice/research literature. While much of this literature describes promising approaches that combine mindfulness with cognitive-behavioral therapy, this paper describes an innovative research-based group program that teaches young people in need mindfulness-based methods using arts-based methods. The paper presents qualitative research findings that illustrate how young people in need (children and youth involved with child protection and/or mental health systems) can benefit from a creative approach to mindfulness that can teach them emotional regulation, social and coping skills, and that can improve aspects of their self-awareness, self-esteem, and resilience.     

Modeling the Distinct Pathways of Influence of Coping Strategies on Youth Suicidal Ideation: A National Longitudinal Study

National surveys indicate high rates of suicidal ideation in youth, especially among females. Coping skill training programs hold promise as a potential intervention that can help young people better manage stress and not consider suicide as a solution to life??s problems. To assess the promise of this strategy, the present research examined which coping strategies (if any) predicted reduction in youth suicidal ideation over a 1-year follow-up, and explored the potential pathways through which their influence was channeled. Two waves of panel data from a nationally representative sample of youth, assessed 1?year apart (N?=?710; Mean age?=?18?years) were analyzed separately by gender using multiple group path analytic procedures. Four coping strategies, namely problem solving, emotional regulation, support seeking and acceptance were found to predict reduction in suicidal ideation among both males and females. However, the influence of these strategies (at baseline) was channeled through distinct pathways. The effect of emotional regulation (and acceptance) was channeled through its use at follow-up and was mediated by reductions in perceived stress and depressive symptoms, leading to reduction in suicidal ideation. The influence of support seeking was also channeled through its more recent use at follow-up, but directly predicted reduction in suicidal ideation, with no effect on perceived stress or depressive symptoms. The effect of problem solving on suicidal ideation was mediated by reduction in depressive symptoms, but was not channeled through its use at follow-up, suggesting a longer time course for the protective influence of this strategy. Finally, acceptance had a direct risk-enhancing effect on suicidal ideation. Coping strategies commonly used by youth can be effective in reducing suicidal ideation and therefore universal training in the effective use of these strategies should be considered. An understanding of the distinct pathways through which their effect on suicidal ideation is transmitted can better inform the design of youth suicide prevention interventions.     

Community responses and coping strategies in the vicinity of a petroleum refinery in Oakville,Ontario

This paper investigates community perceptions of and coping responses to a petrochemical refinery in Oakville, Ontario. The analysis of in-depth interviews (n=29) revealed the effects of social and community factors on residents' everyday life experiences of refinery emissions, and the factors that shape residents' perceptions and responses after the refinery's implementation of extensive measures to reduce emissions and odours. Overall, residents reported a reduction in odours from the refinery. While the refinery now poses a minimal or tolerable level of risk to some people in the community, it is still intolerable to others. The results show residents' shifting concerns, with their fears now focused on invisible emissions. Residents continue to employ both action-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. These findings suggest that refinery intervention may have to move beyond the focus on technological measures to reduce odours to address the psychological and social concerns of residents.     

青年军人心理健康特点与影响因素

应对方式、个性、生活事件和社会支持都是影响青年军人心理健康的重要因素.积极的应对方式、稳定和外倾的个性特征、正性生活事件和高的社会支持及利用度都十分有利于青年军人的心理健康.反之,常采用消极的应对方式、个性内向和不稳定、负性生活事件以及低的社会支持和利用度则易对军人的心理健康造成损害,使青年军人产生心理问题.     

Balancing between normality and social death: Black, rural, South African women coping with HIV/AIDS

The millions of people living with HIV/AIDS are in urgent need of effective care and support interventions. Such interventions should take people's reported needs, coping strategies, and context into account. Usually, active problem-focused coping strategies have been encouraged because they are considered to be more beneficial than passive emotion-focused strategies. However, this may not be the case in the South African context. This study was based on in-depth interviews with Black, rural, South African women about their coping strategies. The overriding aim of coping was to solve the tasks of physical, psychological, and social survival. Strategies involving avoidance of, escaping from, or minimizing HIV/AIDS and its accompanying emotional distress were predominant. We argue that such strategies could be adaptive in a society with scarce resources and marked by gender inequalities. Our findings suggest that care and support interventions should be sensitive to culture and context, should be holistic and participatory, and should include income generation and child care services.     

Psychosocial factors as mediators between migration and subjective well-being among young Finnish adults

This study examined the role of socioeconomic factors (such as education and employment) and psychosocial factors (such as social support, coping and attitude towards the future), in the relationship between migration, self-reported health and life satisfaction among young adults in a 31-year follow-up study of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 conducted in 1997-1998. The associations between these outcomes and socioeconomic and psychosocial factors were first examined, stratified by gender and migration, for sample members at 23 and at 31 years of age. Regression modelling was then used to study the association between migration and the outcomes after adjusting for specific socioeconomic and psychosocial factors. Results of binary logistic regression models showed that, although there was more dissatisfaction with life and more poor self-reported health in rural areas, the association was derived mostly from the mediation of unemployment, poorer education, lack of social support, passive coping strategies and greater pessimism among people living in rural areas. It is concluded that special attention should be paid to improving living conditions (educational and vocational opportunities) and enhancing the psychosocial resources of young adults in rural and remote areas.     

The ‘risk gradient’ in policy on children of drug and alcohol users: Framing young people as risky

Parental drug and alcohol problems can have a profound impact on children. There is a growing policy and practice focus on this topic in the UK. Most is concerned with children of primary school age and younger. Older children tend to be neglected in the debate, and young people of age 16 years and over are mostly absent from it. It is argued here that this reflects, and is reflected in, the construction of a ‘risk gradient’ in policy and practice. An analysis of Hidden Harm, the report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' inquiry into the impact of parental drug misuse, and related documents, is used to illustrate this. In the risk gradient, children are constructed as being at risk when younger, and becoming risky to themselves and others when older. The risk gradient stigmatizes young people as manifesters of risk, diminishes ongoing difficulties they face, and denies their coping strategies. The definition of risk as manifesting in institutional settings and services underscores this. It encourages a focus on parent – child risk transfer, to the detriment of other difficulties the child or young person may be facing, and renders the young person invisible when they leave service contexts. Finally, the culturally and legally established distinction between illicit drugs and alcohol tends to isolate families with alcohol problems. Most of the response to parental substance use has focused on illicit drugs, rendering the difficulties of young people affected by alcohol problems less visible except when they are manifesters of risk.