Coping styles in adults with cystic fibrosis: implications for emotional and social quality of life

Abstract

As life expectancy increases, interest has grown surrounding the factors that may influence quality of life (QOL) for people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of the current study was to examine which specific coping styles were positively or negatively associated with social and emotional QOL in a CF sample. One hundred and twenty-two respondents aged 18 and over were recruited through an online support group. Respondents completed the 'CF Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R)' and the 'Brief COPE'. The CFQ-R is a disease-specific instrument designed to measure the impact of CF on nine QOL domains and the Brief COPE is a 28 item questionnaire which assesses 14 coping scales. A multivariate regression model revealed that higher substance abuse and disengagement was associated with lower emotional QOL whereas greater use of religion, instrumental coping and acceptance was positively associated with emotional QOL. Active coping was linked to better social QOL and a negative association was reported between distraction coping with both emotional and social domains. Given the burden of CF, ascertaining which factors enhance or diminish emotion and social well-being is now an integral component of QOL research. The current findings may therefore have value in informing clinical interventions which aim to cater for the psychological needs of individuals with CF.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents and Adults With Cystic Fibrosis: Physical and Mental Health Predictors

“…Adults and adolescents with cystic fibrosis face numerous challenges associated with their illness and must be supported to ensure that HRQOL is maintained throughout their life span despite physical health challenges. 36 The findings of our study highlight the importance of patients' mental health in this regard because this has a greater impact than physical health in determining many aspects of HRQOL. For this reason, it is crucial that, as physical health declines, mental health is prioritized and maintained so that patients with cystic fibrosis can continue to have the highest HRQOL possible.…”

Socioeconomic status and health outcomes: cystic fibrosis as a model

“…Since family functioning has a major impact on child development [116], it likely exerts a powerful influence on the progression and severity of CF, affecting the child's clinical trajectory throughout life [117]. The harmful effects of anxiety and depression can also be buffered by social support [118,119], sense of control, and active coping [92,120]. As reported by Reynolds et al, positive coping plays a key role in maintaining long-term health (lung function, nutritional status, and pulmonary-related hospitalizations) of adolescent patients with CF [121].…”

Overcoming psychosocial challenges in cystic fibrosis: Promoting resilience

“…These coping styles result in efforts to divert attention away from the illness and promote poorer self‐efficacy . In contrast, more active coping styles such as acceptance, seeking, and maintaining social support, and planning have all predicted better quality of life and improved self‐management in adolescents and young adults with CF . These more adaptive coping styles have also been associated with other positive characteristics such as hope and optimism and an ability to relieve the risk for depression and anxiety, often implicated in psychological, and medical morbidity risk …”

“…Broadly, the coping mechanisms and styles employed by individuals living with chronic illness are believed to serve either as a buffer or risk factor for psychological problems and poor health-related quality of life. [47][48][49] Passive or avoidant coping strategies (eg, disengagement, self-distraction, substance use) have been shown to be associated with increased risk of mental health symptoms and lower quality of life for individuals with CF. 48 These coping styles result in efforts to divert attention away from the illness and promote poorer self-efficacy.…”

“…[47][48][49] Passive or avoidant coping strategies (eg, disengagement, self-distraction, substance use) have been shown to be associated with increased risk of mental health symptoms and lower quality of life for individuals with CF. 48 These coping styles result in efforts to divert attention away from the illness and promote poorer self-efficacy. 50 In contrast, more active coping styles such as acceptance, seeking, and maintaining social support, and planning have all predicted better quality of life and improved self-management in adolescents and young adults with CF.…”