Coping strategies in young and adult haemophilia patients: A tool for the adaptation to the disease

Abstract

Introduction Chronic diseases, after diagnosis, involve changes that have to favour coping with the new situation. The resources used will help control, manage and adapt to the disease. The psychological aspects may be influencing how the individual faces the situation. Aim To assess whether perceptions or beliefs and illness behaviour influence the choice of coping strategies for young and adult patients with haemophilia. Methods Multicenter cross‐sectional descriptive study. We recruited 63 patients with haemophilia A and B, adolescents, young and adults, and both types of treatment. A clinical and sociodemographic data sheet, the Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI), the Illness Perception Questionnaire‐revised (IPQ‐R) and the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ) were used. Results Patients with haemophilia use appropriate coping strategies, both cognitive and behavioural. Most of them are on‐demand treatment, and despite arthropathy, they perceive good control of haemophilia. However, patients in prophylactic treatment are those employed more maladaptive coping strategies, less perception of control and hypochondriacal behaviour to the disease. The age variable may be relevant but we did not find significant differences. Conclusions Coping strategies used by patients with haemophilia are adequate. Although it is noted that the perception of the disease, its controllability or not, affects illness behaviour and consequently how coping with haemophilia. These are based on personal characteristics, cognitive and attitudinal dispositions that the individual consciously use to solve or face adverse situations. The analysis of coping styles of patients could be a tool for professionals to manage properly the disease.

Adapting to (co)exist: experience of men with hemophilia in southern Brazil

“…Research that investigated the knowledge, attitudes Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2021;42:e20200097 and behaviors of young men with hemophilia pointed out that despite the information provided by the health team, these men considered, above all, their own experience, as they realized that they knew themselves better (18) .…”

“…In this way, he realizes, reflects, and influences himself (self), and acts with his mind. The knowledge of the illness and the way to act in case of bleeding or musculoskeletal injury on the part of men was also the result of another research (18) .…”

The Effect of Psychological Adaptation on Prevention Behavior of College Students during the Coronavirus Disease(COVID-19): A Moderated Mediating Model

“…Based on literature analysis [33], expert discussion, we developed a stress coping questionnaire composed of ve items, which were integrated into two categorie. The questionnaire adopts a scoring method of 1-5 points.…”

Practical Guidance for Non-Specialist Physical Therapists Managing People with Hemophilia and Musculoskeletal Complications

“…Baseline pain in PWH may be higher than that in the general population due to multiple arthrophic joints and advanced joint damage, but some individuals may show better acceptance of chronic pain from living with multiple affected joints [27] [29]. To assess problematic pain, PTs can use standardized questionnaires and scales [29] [30] [31] [32]. When taking a medication history in PWH, it is important to understand that some medications and herbal supplements can impede the coagulation process and are therefore strictly contraindicated (for example acetylsalicylic acid or St John's wort [7] [33]).…”

“…Perception of pain may vary between individuals with hemophilia: often, older individuals may have become accustomed to baseline levels of pain, but pain may peak during bleeding events, especially major bleeding events [27] [29] [32]. It is important to prioritize the most troublesome pain when seeing PWH, and to understand that it is unlikely they will become pain-free.…”