Tyrimo tikslas: Atskleisti asmenų, patyrusių apatinių galūnių amputaciją, asmenybės bruožų, streso, susijusio su liga, įveikos strategijų bei depresiškumo sąsajas. Tyrime dalyvavo 70 asmenų, patyrusių apatinių galūnių amputaciją (53 vyrai, 17 moterų). Tyrime buvo naudojami trys klausimynai: 1. COPE (angl. Coping Orientation of Problem Experience)- streso, susijusio su liga, įveikos strategijų nustatymui. 2. „Penketo svarbiausių“ bruožų klausimynas- The Big Five Inventory (BFI) 3. HAD (Hospital Anxiety and depression scale)- depresiškumo matavimui. Tyrimo rezultatai atskleidė, kad didesnį depresiškumą prognozuoja mažiau adaptyvių bei adaptyvių į emocijas nukreiptų įveikų naudojimas, mažesnė laiko trukmė (iki 6 mėn.) praėjusi po amputacijos bei labiau išreikštas neurotizmo bruožas. Tuo tarpu mažesnį depresiškumą prognozuoja didesnis sutariamumo bruožo išreikštumas. Didėjant ekstraversijos bruožo išreikštumui dažniau naudojama į problemą nukreipta įveika ir rečiau naudojama mažiau adaptyvi įveika. Sąžiningumo bruožo didėjimas siejasi su mažiau naudojamomis mažiau adaptyviomis įveikos strategijomis bei dažniau naudojamomis adaptyviomis į problemą nukreiptomis įveikos strategijomis. Didėjant neurotizmo bruožo išreikštumui dažniau renkamasi mažiau adaptyvią įveiką bei rečiau renkamasi adaptyvią į problemą nukreiptą įveiką. Atvirumo patyrimui bruožo išreikštumo didėjimas siejasi su adaptyvių įveikų naudojimu. Tuo tarpu sutariamumo bruožo didėjimas siejasi su dažniau... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of research was to examine associations between personality traits, stress coping strategies, caused by the illness and depressiveness among people with lower limb amputations. In this study were examined 70 patients (57 men and 17 women) who experienced a lower limb amputation. In this research were used three questionnaires: 1.COPE (Coping Orientation of Problem Experience)- to identify stress coping strategies. 2. „The Big Five Inventory „(BFI) 3. HAD (Hospital Anxiety and depression scale) to measure a level of depressiveness. The results showed that depressivity is predicted by the using of maladaptive and adaptive emotion -focused coping strategies, neuroticism and the duration of time after amputation. Shorter time (up to 6 months) predicts more depressive symptoms than longer time. Meanwhile, the lower depressivity predicts conscientiousness. Extraversion is associated with frequently used adaptive problem focused coping strategies and rarely used maladaptive coping strategy. Conscientiousness personality trait is associated with reduced use of maladaptive coping strategies and frequent use of adaptive problem- focused coping. Neuroticism is associated with increased use of maladaptive coping strategies and reduced use of adaptive problem- focused coping. Openness to experience is associated with the use of adaptive coping strategies . Meanwhile conscientiousnessis associated with frequent use of adaptive problem- focused coping and rare use of... [to full text]

Adequate assessment of the needs of HIV-positive individuals in the South African context is essential, as it may provide insight concerning limitations in healthcare. This study focuses on the subjective experience of nine HIV-positive individuals, in order (a) to investigate their needs; (b) to gain knowledge and understanding of the strengths available to them; (c) to investigate their coping strategies; and (d) to generate a set of guidelines for the development of a secondary prevention programme to improve their psychological well-being and immune functioning. This article employs a qualitative research method, utilising hermeneutic thematic analysis to gain a greater understanding of the subjective psychological functioning of HIV-positive individuals in the South African multicultural context. To a great extent, this research focuses on the salutogenic/fortigenic perspective, where the focus is on strengths, capacities and emotional/psychological well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine asymptomatic HIV-positive individuals. The needs identified during this study involved the psychological, economical, informational and social categories. The strengths available to HIV-positive individuals in order to make sense or construct meaning in their lives, consisted of four themes, namely internal, social, self-regulative and spiritual strengths. The study further indicates that the psychological strengths utilised by HIV-positive individuals are closely related to the concept of meaningfulness, the mechanisms of coping and psychological resilience. A broad range of coping strategies was identified that participants employed in the management of the disease and in dealing with the negative emotions associated with an HIV-positive diagnosis. These strategies could be conceptually grouped into five categories based on the functions these strategies served, namely self-management coping strategies, cognitive coping strategies, social support coping strategies, religious coping strategies, and avoidance coping strategies. The implications of this study are that the various identified concepts related to needs, strengths and coping strategies, may contribute to the development of a secondary prevention programme, in order to improve HIV-positive individuals' psychological well-being and immune functioning. The concept of "Sense of Coherence" which consists of three elements, namely Comprehensibility, Manageability and Meaningfulness, could be successfully incorporated into an intervention programme in order to achieve a positive redefinition of participants' subjective feeling that life is meaningful, as well as to improve their comprehensibility and manageability of their illness. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The environment in which hospital pharmacists currently function demands more of them than did any previous period. Employees in pharmacy companies have to cope with the demands that arise from fulfilling various roles, as well as with increased pressures such as managed health care and primary health care. Tracking and addressing their effectiveness in coping with new demands and stimulating their growth in areas that could possibly impact on the standard of pharmacy services are therefore of great importance. The first step in the enhancement of the work-related well-being of hospital pharmacists is the successful diagnosis of occupational stress, burnout and work engagement. However, in order to measure these constructs, it is important to use reliable and valid instruments, and at the same time take biographical differences into account. The objectives of this study were to validate the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and the Pharmacist Stress Inventory (PSI) for hospital pharmacists in South Africa, to assess the effect of biographical factors on the levels of burnout, engagement and occupational stress, and to investigate the role of job stress and coping strategies in the work-related well-being (burnout and work engagement) of hospital pharmacists in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The study population consisted of an accidental sample (N = 187) of South African hospital pharmacists in both public and private hospital facilities on a national basis. The MBI-HSS, UWES, PSI, the Coping Orientation for Problem Experienced (COPE) as well as a biographical questionnaire were administered. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), t-tests and multiple regression analysis were used to analyse the data Confirmatory factor analysis by means of structural equation modelling of the MBI-HSS, confirmed a three-factor model of burnout, consisting of Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalisation and Personal Accomplishment. The scales showed acceptable reliabilities. The results indicated that 35% of the hospital pharmacists showed high levels of emotional exhaustion, while 25% showed high levels of depersonalisation. Biographical factors such as age, years in pharmacy practice, home language, average number of hours worked per week, as well as the level of job satisfaction were related to the burnout levels of hospital pharmacists. Exploratory factor analysis of the UWES resulted in two factors, namely Vigour/dedication and Absorption. These factors showed acceptable Cronbach alpha coefficients. In the same sample (but in a different analysis where the two factors were used separately), it was indicated that compared to a South African norm, 38,5% and 48,9% of the hospital pharmacists showed low levels of vigour and dedication respectively. Position, home language, and the educational level were related to work engagement of hospital pharmacists. The PSI was developed as a measuring instrument for the purposes of this study. Three internally consistent factors, namely Job Demands, Pharmacy-Specific Stressors and Lack of Resources were extracted. The level of severity of the various stressors was calculated and the unavailability of medicine proved to be the most severe stressor. Other severe stressors included frequent interruptions, co-workers not doing their jobs, workload and insufficient salaries. Finally it was investigated whether job stress and coping strategies could predict the work related well-being of hospital pharmacists in South Africa. The results showed that job stress (as a result of job demands and lack of job resources), as well as three coping strategies (approach coping, avoidance coping and turning to religion) predicted burnout and work engagement of South African hospital pharmacists. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

This research investigates internationally educated teachers' (IETs) motivations to become teachers in Canada, learning in the initial teacher education programs, employment seeking experiences, as well as stress and coping strategies during their transition from the teacher education programs to the workplace. Twenty IETs from 12 different countries and areas participated in the study. Research data includes semi-structured interviews, field notes, short questionnaires, email, online chat records, and participants' writings. Narrative approaches (Clandinin & Connelly, 2000; Polkinghorne, 1995) were used to analyze interview and other qualitative data. In addition, I conducted descriptive analysis upon the questionnaires to triangulate the research findings. Research findings show that a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors motivated IETs to take up or return to the teaching profession in Canada. All of the IETs in the study considered their studies in the teacher education programs useful, but a number of them expressed the wish that the programs should include more practical aspects. Some IETs experienced difficulties during their practicum due to their language and accents, heavy workload, classroom management issues, as well as balance between work and life. A few IETs also experienced conflicts and tension with their mentor teachers. Due to the challenging teaching job market in Ontario, and the disadvantaged situation for IETs, finding a teaching position was not easy for IETs. The main challenge was to obtain eligibility for teaching positions with school boards. IETs were frustrated with their employment, underemployment and unemployment. Research data from the IET Stress Scale showed that the top five stress factors for IETs in transition included finding a teaching position, teacher identity construction, balance between work and family, being observed and assessed, and heavy workload. Similar themes emerged from the interview data. IETs utilized various strategies to cope with their difficulties and stress. Most of the IETs expressed their desire to stay in the teaching profession in Canada. However, two IETs were reluctant to look for teaching positions due to their frustrating experiences with their mentor teachers. Two other IETs stayed in nonteaching or looked for jobs in other professions due to their difficult job seeking experiences.

This research investigates internationally educated teachers' (IETs) motivations to become teachers in Canada, learning in the initial teacher education programs, employment seeking experiences, as well as stress and coping strategies during their transition from the teacher education programs to the workplace. Twenty IETs from 12 different countries and areas participated in the study. Research data includes semi-structured interviews, field notes, short questionnaires, email, online chat records, and participants' writings. Narrative approaches (Clandinin & Connelly, 2000; Polkinghorne, 1995) were used to analyze interview and other qualitative data. In addition, I conducted descriptive analysis upon the questionnaires to triangulate the research findings. Research findings show that a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors motivated IETs to take up or return to the teaching profession in Canada. All of the IETs in the study considered their studies in the teacher education programs useful, but a number of them expressed the wish that the programs should include more practical aspects. Some IETs experienced difficulties during their practicum due to their language and accents, heavy workload, classroom management issues, as well as balance between work and life. A few IETs also experienced conflicts and tension with their mentor teachers. Due to the challenging teaching job market in Ontario, and the disadvantaged situation for IETs, finding a teaching position was not easy for IETs. The main challenge was to obtain eligibility for teaching positions with school boards. IETs were frustrated with their employment, underemployment and unemployment. Research data from the IET Stress Scale showed that the top five stress factors for IETs in transition included finding a teaching position, teacher identity construction, balance between work and family, being observed and assessed, and heavy workload. Similar themes emerged from the interview data. IETs utilized various strategies to cope with their difficulties and stress. Most of the IETs expressed their desire to stay in the teaching profession in Canada. However, two IETs were reluctant to look for teaching positions due to their frustrating experiences with their mentor teachers. Two other IETs stayed in nonteaching or looked for jobs in other professions due to their difficult job seeking experiences.

The purpose of this study is to examine the differences in the effects of different coping strategies on different dimensions of university adjustment of the first-year students in Turkey and in the United States. The data were gathered by administering three instruments, Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ), Brief COPE, and Demographic Sheet (DS) to 1143 first-year university students from Turkey (n = 695) and U.S. (n = 448). In the data analysis, first, the equivalence of the instruments between Turkish and U.S. samples were determined. A series of multiple hierarchical regression analysis was then carried out to examine the cultural differences in coping strategies (Self-Distraction, Active Coping, Denial, Substance Use, Using Emotional Support, Behavioral Disengagement, Positive Reframing, Planning, Humor, and Religion) as predictors of overall and four dimensions of university adjustment, namely, Academic Adjustment, Social Adjustment, Personal/Emotional Adjustment, and Goal Commitment/Institutional Attachment. The results revealed that there were cross-cultural differences in the effects of behavioral disengagement on social adjustment, goal commitment/institutional attachment, and overall adjustment. Differences were also found for the effects of religion and positive reframing on personal/emotional and overall adjustment. Finally, the effect of active coping was found to be significantly different on academic adjustment of first-year students from Turkey and the U.S.

This study attempts to focus on a narrower scope specifically is aimed to search for the possible explanations for women&rsquo / s and their daughters&rsquo / poverty experiences by arguing that within the household, women and their daughters are more vulnerable to poverty than men because of the dominant ideologies. I have already implemented a field study in one of Ankara&rsquo / s squatter area which is called Hidirliktepe located in district of Altindag with 30 women and their eldest daughters living in the same household. One of the qualitative interviewing techniques, in-depth interviewing, has been applied to the respondents and two different questionnaire frames used for mothers and the daughters. There are some important conclusions of the thesis. One of them is that poverty is experienced by women and their daughters different than the other members of the household. Another is that these experiences are also transferred to their daughters within the household. However, daughters are in a better condition than their mothers which might constitute a hope for their salvation from poverty because due to the changes in their social environments, their expectations also change. Moreover, survival strategies developed by women against poverty designate the level of poverty which is being experienced by women in the long term.

This study examined some factors to understand earthquake preparedness behavior. The roles of demoghraphic characteristics of the participants, trait anxiety, the severity of exposure of past earthquake experience, outcome efficacy (perceived effectiveness of preparedness), self efficacy (perceived difficulty of preparedness), impact of past experience (avoidance and intrusion symptom levels of impact of event scale), threat perception, locus of control and four factors of coping strategies (problem focused approach, fatalistic coping, helplessness/self blaming approach and seeking social support) in predicting earthquake preparedness behavior were studied. Data was collected by a questionnaire consisting of three parts. The first part was a socio-demographic information form. The second part of the questionnaire included sets of items designed to examine past earthquake experience, the severity of past earthquake experience, estimations of the severity of a possible future earthquake, probability of occurence of a potential future earthquake, reasons to prepare and responsibility related to preparedness. The third part of the questionnaire consisted of four scales. These scales were Ways of Coping Inventory (WCI) to measure coping strategies in stressful situations, Impact of Event Scale (IES) to measure current subjective distress trait part of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to measure the level of trait anxiety of persons and Revised and Translated Mulilis- Lippa Earthquake Preparedness Scale (MLEPS) to measure the level of earthquake preparedness behavior, perceived difficulty of being prepared and perceived effectiveness of being prepared. Two hundred eighteen adults (120 females and 98 males with an age range of 20 to 67) were participants of the study. There were participants from all 32 districts of istanbul in the sample. Data was collected in two departments of Istanbul Technical University, which were architecture and civil engineering, Psychology Department of Middle East Technical University, High School of KabataS Erkek Lisesi and istanbul Bah&ccedil / elievler Primary School. Participants were parents of students. The regression analysis results revealed that, severity of exposure of past earthquake experience, avoidance, self-efficacy and outcome efficacy were found to be significantly related to earthquake preparedness. Considering significant predictors, the severity of the exposure to past earthquake experience and perceived effectiveness of being prepared increases the level of earthquake preparedness behavior / perceived difficulty of being prepared and avoidance symptom levels of impact of event scale decreases it. As an evidence to Person Relative to Event Model, the results of the current study showed that there is a significant relationship between both perceived effectiveness of being prepared and perceived difficulty of being prepared with the level of earthquake preparedness level. The importance of the results of the current study and their shortcomings were discussed within the earlier findings on disaster preparedness literature.

This study deals with cultural differences, intercultural misunderstandings, and coping strategies in the context of two specific cultures: German and Taiwanese. Using content analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with 31 German and Taiwanese co-workers in Taiwan (superiors-subordinates and peers), this study attempts to accomplish two goals: (a) Analyze which intercultural misunderstandings are commonly encountered by German and Taiwanese co-workers in their work relationships and examine the nature of these misunderstandings; (b) Explore how German and Taiwanese co-workers cope with these intercultural misunderstandings and determine whether there are cultural differences in coping responses used by Germans and Taiwanese. The coding and content analysis revealed intercultural misunderstandings and conflicts in four areas: Language and Communication, Business Practices: Quality / Thoroughness vs. Speed / Flexibility, Conflict Management: Dealing with Problems and Mistakes, and Leadership and Management Styles: Roles of Managers and Employees. Regarding coping strategies, this study found that Taiwanese co-workers used more emotion-focused coping strategies, in particular acceptance (passive-adaptive coping) and seeking emotional support, whereas Germans used more problem-focused and avoidance coping. The ultimate purpose of this study is to increase awareness of possible problem areas and coping responses and help German and Taiwanese co-workers to collaborate and communicate more effectively. For example, the data provided in this study can be used for designing culture-specific intercultural training modules for the German-Taiwanese business context.

Syfte: Syftet med studien var att ta del av hur vårdpersonal på Hospice beskriver sina olika känslor som uppstår i vården av patienter i livets slutskede, vilka copingstrategier de använder sig av för att bearbeta dessa känslor samt vilka faktorer som de upplever påverkar valet av copingstrategier. Metod: En kvalitativ metod med semistrukturerade intervjuer användes. Åtta kvinnliga deltagare ur vårdpersonalen på Hospice (lika fördelade mellan sjuksköterskor och undersköterskor med varierande ålder och erfarenhet) blev intervjuade. Resultat: Känslor av skuld, frustration, maktlöshet, stress och otillräcklighet upplevdes betungande. För att bearbeta dessa användes främst aktiv och problemfokuserad coping, framförallt samtal och stöd. Vårdpersonalen lägger stor vikt vid att kunna separera privatlivet från arbetslivet. Även känslofokuserad coping i form av distraktion eller avskärmning användes ibland. Detta för att uthärda i stunden och vid senare tillfälle bearbeta dessa upplevelser. Faktorer som påverkade bearbetningen var samarbetet i arbetsgruppen, tidsbrist, samt individuella egenskaper. Slutsats: Klimatet på arbetsplatsen, det vill säga organisation, attityder samt tid för gemensam reflektion är viktigt för bearbetningen. Det är också viktigt att blivande vårdpersonal får kunskap om palliativ vård och olika copingstrategier för att hantera sina känslor. Vårdutbildningar behöver ses över inom detta område. Hur coping används påverkar personalhälsan och även i förlängningen patientvården. Kunskap om copingstrategier måste finnas även på avdelningar där inte specifik palliativ vård bedrivs. / Objective: The aim of this study was to learn how the healthcare personnel at Hospice describes their emotions during work with patients in palliative care, which coping strategies they use to deal with these emotions as well as factors they experience affects the choice of strategies. Methods: A qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews was used to collect data. Eight female participants with varying age and work experience from the Hospice nursing staff were interviewed. Results: Feelings of guilt, frustration, powerlessness, stress and inadequacy were perceived as difficult. To cope with these emotions active and problem-focused coping was used mainly for ventilation and social support seeking. They find it important to separate their private life from work. Emotion-focused coping was used at times for distraction or to distance themselves, to endure in the moment and later on process these emotions. Factors affecting the coping strategies were cooperation in the work group, time constraints and individual qualities. Conclusion: The workplace climate regarding organization, attitudes and times for group reflection, is significant for coping. It is important that aspiring health professionals learn about palliative care and coping strategies to manage their emotions. Nursing programs need to be reviewed in this area. How coping is used affect health among the staff and ultimately also the patient care. Knowledge of coping strategies is important in all areas of healthcare.