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This research was conducted in Turkey to determine the experiences and coping mechanisms of breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted using qualitative descriptive phenomenology. Data were collected from ten patients via in-depth interviews through semi-structured questionnaires. Content analysis, incorporating a combination of deductive and inductive approaches, was conducted to determine the themes and subthemes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, simultaneously with the analysis and collected data. The study data were categorized into 3 contexts, 7 themes and 39 subthemes. The first context titled "Problems accompanying the disease" includes the effects of the pandemic, the fear of being infected with COVID-19 and hospital-related themes. The second context titled "Coping strategies" comprises the themes of coping behaviors and healthy lifestyle behaviors. The last context is titled "Anxiety about being infected, and suggestions for the future". In the study, problems experienced by patients with breast cancer throughout the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated from a broad perspective. Patients treated in chemotherapy units constitute the vulnerable group affected by the pandemic most. Therefore, it is important to investigate the experiences of oncology patients, particularly of patients with breast cancer and their coping strategies, and to take necessary precautions accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence-based practices that rely upon pain relieving medications and interventional strategies for symptom alleviation in chronic pain survivors have shown modest benefits. The recent emphasis of spiritual care as a new dimension of treatment strategy incorporated within the biopsychosocial model has inspired new hopes to mediate mental and physical health for illness coping. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with spirituality needs among chronic pain patients in a general hospital in Malaysia. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 117 chronic pain patients in a general hospital in Malaysia. Clinical features and assessments were evaluated by an experienced pain physician and retrieved from patient medical records. An interviewer-administered questionnaire that consisted of items on socio-demographics, the validated 19-items spiritual needs questionnaire and the visual analog scale was utilized. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with spiritual needs in chronic pain patients. Patients had higher actively giving score as compared to other spirituality need domains. Central neuropathic pain (β = 1.691, p = 0.040) predicted existential. Renal problems (β = 5.061, p = 0.019) highly predicted religiosity; followed by head pain (β = 3.774, p = 0.036), central neuropathic pain (β = 2.730, p = 0.022), heart problems (β = 1.935, p = 0.041), income (β = 0.001, p = 0.003), living arrangement (β = − 3.045, p = 0.022), face (β = − 3.223, p = 0.005) and abdominal (β = − 4.745, p = 0.0001) pains. Predictors of inner peace include renal problems (β = 3.752, p = 0.021), shoulder pain (β = 1.436, p = 0.038) and pain duration (β = − 0.012, p = 0.027). Predictors of actively giving were renal problems (β = 3.803, p = 0.001), central neuropathic pain (β = 1.448, p = 0.017), heart problems (β = 1.004, p = 0.042), income (β = 0.001, p = 0.0001), age (β = − 0.046, p = 0.004) and abdominal pain (β = − 2.617, p = 0.0001). Chronic pain patients had higher actively giving score compared to other spirituality needs. Their spirituality needs were significantly influenced by pain type, duration and site, co-existing medical conditions and socio-demographics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify and investigate coping mechanisms and other factors which may impact upon the psychosomatic symptoms of aging German Roman Catholic priests. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 499 aging German Roman Catholic priests with standardized questionnaires: Brief Symptom Inventory, Coping Inventory Stressful Situations, and Religious Coping Scale. Task-Oriented Coping exhibited a significant difference between the two groups. Multiple regression analyses indicated that psychosomatic symptoms could be best predicted by means of Task-Oriented Coping mechanisms, identification with priesthood, and by a low Negative Religious Coping. The success of adaptive coping processes for older clergy may depend on how they employ strategies, strengthen their spiritual dimensions, and manage important psychosocial aspects of aging. In our sample, Depression and Somatization are explained best by Emotion-Oriented Coping. It is desirable for aging priests to be aware of protective factors like Role Identification, Task-Oriented Coping, and low Negative Religious Coping, which may be helpful in improving their psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers are beginning to collect empiric data about coping mechanisms of health science students. Yet, there is an important aspect of coping with stress that is only partially addressed in health sciences curricula: students' spiritual well-being. In this essay, we describe a course in spirituality and health care that we offered to fourth-year medical students, as well as a small empirical study we conducted to assess students' spiritual needs and practices. We then offer reflections on the broad applicability of this work to students in the health sciences more generally, including suggestions for curriculum interventions that may ensure students' success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will focus on the writer’s experience as a native New Yorker relocating to Montgomery, Alabama. The writer will share how he adjusted and coped with overt discrimination and racism in the context of the high school in which he attended there-a majority white high school on the “other” side of town. The writer will share how he employed the following coping mechanisms as methods of adjusting to his new environment: translating emotional experiences into words (relaxation and talk therapy), involvement with other black positive peers, careful assessment before acting, withdrawal and avoidance, and consuming African-American literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]