Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Department of Psychology, Psychosocial Injuries Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Ilam Province, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: As shown in previous persons that used the effective coping strategies are more
aware to recent stressful life events in their live, this study conducted to investigate the main stressful
life events and common coping styles in adult’s population.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was conducted in 2018. In overall, 345
persons aged 18 years and more by stratified cluster sampling were enrolled in the study. The valid
questionnaires including the coping inventory for stressful situations‑21, the Holmes‑Rahe Stress
Inventory, and 28‑item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‑28) were used to interview. The analysis
of variance and t‑student (t‑test) was used to determine the association between the two variables.
The statistical significance level was considered <0.05.
RESULTS: The top three importance events among 43 stressful items in our study were change
in financial state, gain of a new family member, and death of close family member. We found that
task‑oriented coping (P < 0.001) and avoidance‑oriented coping (P = 0.021) significantly more used
in males compered to females. According to Holmes‑Rahe life stress inventory instructions only 4.7%
of participants are prone to getting ill in next 2 years.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed a positive relationship between coping styles and
lower risk of mental health problems and stressful life events. Hence, activities and training programs
aiming to enhance personal approach coping skills is important to reduce of side effects of stressful
life events especially those recently exposed to negative life events and stresses.
Keywords
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