Stressing factors and coping strategies of hospitalized patients for treatment of wounds

Abstract

This is an explanatory study with a quantitative approach, which aimed to analyze the coping strategies adopted by 40 patients hospitalized in regional hospitals located in the cities of Sousa and Cajazeiras (PB), while undergoing treatment for wounds. The data collected through a script of semi-structured interview were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. One verified that 59.4% of the patients showed a decrease in their self-esteem, pointing the pain (55,1%), the impaired sleep and rest (18.4%) and inability to work (12.2%) as the main stressing factors that come during hospitalization. To deal with this situation and minimize their psycho-socio-spiritual suffering, one used mainly coping strategies focused on religiosity (average of 3.6), followed by strategies focused on the problem (3.5%); on social support (3.1%); and on emotion (1.8%). One noticed that religious beliefs acted as cognitive mediators for the interpretation of events in a positive way.