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The role of a slaughterhouse worker (SHW) involves the authorized killing of living beings, yet there is limited understanding of the consequences this behavior has on their well-being. The purpose of this systematic review is to collate and evaluate the current literature on the psychological impact of slaughterhouse employment. Fourteen studies met the specific a priori inclusion criteria. The findings from this review were demarcated by the focus of studies: (1) the prevalence of mental health disorders, (2) the types of coping mechanisms used, and (3) the link between slaughterhouse employment and crime perpetration. It was found that SHWs have a higher prevalence rate of mental health issues, in particular depression and anxiety, in addition to violence-supportive attitudes. Furthermore, the workers employ a variety of both adaptive and maladaptive strategies to cope with the workplace environment and associated stressors. Finally, there is some evidence that slaughterhouse work is associated with increased crime levels. The research reviewed has shown a link between slaughterhouse work and antisocial behavior generally and sexual offending specifically. There was no support for such an association with violent crimes, however. Based on existing research, we suggest future directions for research (i.e., applying more methodological rigor) but highlight key findings for practitioners and policymakers that warrant attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine human resource management (HRM) in a large Bangalore project‐based software company. Diverse adaptations of organisation‐level HRM exist in projects, generating heterogeneous HRM practices across the organisation, resulting in management–employee tensions. Paradoxes are managed through a comprehensive, detailed and complementary set of structural and relational coping mechanisms, designed to promote employee commitment. These mechanisms were only partially successful, largely because of ongoing client interventions in project management. The motivations for and directions of client interventions are closely linked to the type of work undertaken in projects. Service market imperatives limit managers' scope to negotiate such interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of non-communicable diseases is steadily rising amidst a high prevalence of communicable diseases stretching the healthcare system. This study explored hypertension and diabetes patients’ perspective of challenges and their coping mechanisms in Mukono and Buikwe districts in Uganda. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study involved four focus group discussions with 26 patients at four selected health facilities. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and data analysed following the thematic content analysis guided by the semantic approach with the aid of Atlas ti 6.0.15 software. Results: Five themes were identified regarding challenges and coping mechanisms of patients in managing their conditions. 1) Inadequate opportunities for diagnosis, with community screening supporting identification of patients. 2) Accessing care came amidst transport challenges, absence of health workers and the lack of essential supplies for monitoring conditions. Patients borrowed transport funds or trekked to health facilities and some formed groups to contribute resources to buy equipment and supplies. 3) Access to medications was affected by frequent drug stockouts at public health facilities which pushed patients to purchase own drugs or obtain these through friends and networks. However, other patients resorted to cheaper herbal remedies. 4) Monitoring and managing conditions was affected by insufficient knowledge and opportunities for self-monitoring. Information from health workers and experiences from peers bridged the knowledge gap while private facilities or community health workers supported self-monitoring. 5) Adopting changes in behaviour was challenging but patients fitted these within their usual routines and mobilised family members to also adopt lifestyle changes while ignoring those they deemed unrealistic. Conclusions: The coping mechanisms patients adopted to manage their chronic conditions reflects self-care initiatives at the individual and community levels which could be reinforced and supplemented to better support and empower patients as steps are taken to address existing challenges.

Abstract Background The present study aimed to explore, for a better understanding, the relationship between dysfunctional coping mechanisms, functionality, and quality of life in patients with major depression, during an acute episode and euthymic phase. 65 patients diagnosed with recurrent major depressive disorder were included in a longitudinal study, during which they were evaluated twice, clinically, for coping mechanisms, and also for different life quality areas. For the first time, all patients were assessed during an acute depressive episode and for the second time after 6 months of euthymia. Coping mechanisms were assessed with the Brief COPE scale, the severity of depression was evaluated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 items, the quality of life with the WHOQOL-Bref, and the functionality with GAF. Results The coping mechanisms, represented by self-distraction and self-blame, were identified as being significantly correlated with the areas of life quality, mental health, and general environment, for patients having an acute depressive episode. In the euthymic phase of major depression, all dysfunctional coping strategies showed statistically significant associations with the quality-of-life domains and the coping mechanism represented by disengagement was significantly correlated with the global functionality. Conclusions Regardless of the current mood state, acute depression or euthymic phase, the dysfunctional coping mechanisms influence the level of life quality domains.

Perceptions of ustadz/ustadzah in Islamic boarding schools tend to have a spiritual level and form good character. However, this stigma can cause feelings of being required to always be wise, precise in managing problems that have an impact on psychological well-being. The purpose of this community service activity was to provide hard and soft skills in the form of applying adaptive coping mechanism patterns in dealing with problems. The method used training that includes psycho education awareness, habituation and practice. The results showed that there was an increase in knowledge and a significant positive effect on the ability to choose adaptive coping with partners. Based on the results and discussion, it can be concluded that the ability to choose adaptive coping mechanisms is the right and effective way to deal with problems and can improve psychological well-being.

Evidence suggests that, during pandemics such as COVID-19, people with low incomes within developing countries suffered disproportionately. Households across countries differentially experienced the socio-economic impact of the pandemic. In sub-Saharan Africa, the extended family and the community have provided valuable support in crises, given that state-administered backing may not be sufficient or may differ from the family's expectations. Many studies have been conducted on community safety nets, yet little description and understanding of community safety nets has been provided. The components of the non-formal safety nets are yet to be adequately defined or evaluated for effectiveness. Traditional family and community safety nets have been under stress due to the impact of COVID-19. Many countries, including Kenya, have associated COVID-19 with an increased number of households facing social and economic crises. Families and communities got fatigued due to the extended period and the further strain the pandemic had on individuals and societies. Utilizing existing literature on the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in Kenya and the roles and perceptions of community safety nets, this paper seeks to explain the roles and perceptions of social relationships and kinship networks as safety nets in Africa, specifically in the Kenyan context. This paper employs the concept of culture of relatedness to understand the informal safety nets in Kenya better. During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals strengthened the previously weakened kinship structures. They addressed some of the challenges experienced within the networks through the involvement of neighbors and friends embracing the culture of relatedness. Therefore, government strategies for social support during pandemics need to design programs to strengthen the community safety nets that remained resilient throughout the health crisis.

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and political crisis, Myanmar's health system has suspended routine services while struggling to respond to the pandemic. Many people who need continuous care, like pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses, have been facing challenges in seeking and receiving essential health services. This study explored community health seeking practices and coping mechanisms, including their views on health system stressors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study based on 12 in-depth-interviews with pregnant people and persons with pre-existing chronic health conditions in Yangon. Sampling was purposive, convenience-based and snowball sampling was also used. The 3-delays framework was used to understand how persons were interacting with and accessing health care services; community and health system stressors and coping mechanisms in relation to COVID-19 were also identified. Results: Findings showed that Yangon region was the hardest hit with both the pandemic and political crisis and its health system was greatly affected. People were unable to access essential health services on time. The health facilities were not available to see patients, with serious shortages in human resources, medicines and equipment, resulting in interruption of essential routine services. The prices of medicines and consultation fees, and transportation costs, increased during this period. Limited options for accessing care were available due to travel restrictions and curfews. It became challenging to receive quality care because of unavailable public facilities and private hospitals being costly. Despite these challenges, the Myanmar people and health system have shown resilience. Cohesive and organized family support structures and extended and deep social networks played an important role in accessing health care. At times of emergency, people relied on community-based social organizations for transportation and accessing essential medicines. The health system also showed resilience through establishing new service provision options, such as teleconsultations, mobile clinics, and sharing medical advice through social media. Conclusions: This is the first study in Myanmar to explore peoples' perceptions on COVID-19, the health system and their healthcare experiences during political crisis. Although there is no easy way to cope with this dual hardship, the people and the health system, even in a fragile and shock-prone setting like Myanmar, stayed resilient by developing alternative pathways for seeking and providing health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This survey-based study has assessed the types of coping mechanisms and QoL of patients diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer. Patients using active forms of coping, seeking support and planning seem to have higher self-esteem, while maladaptive coping strategies in the form of self-blame can cause a significant decrease in patients' self-esteem. Our results show that older patients, despite the use of adaptation strategies, have lower self-esteem. Early psychological assessment and mobilization of patients' personal resources may allow patients to change stress coping methods towards more adaptive forms. The aim of this study was to analyze coping mechanisms and their psychological aspects during the treatment of neoplastic prostate hyperplasia. We have analyzed strategies and styles of coping with stress and self-esteem of patients diagnosed with neoplastic prostate hyperplasia. A total of 126 patients were included in the study. Standardized psychological questionnaires were used to determine the type of coping strategy by using the Stress Coping Inventory MINI-COPE, while a coping style questionnaire was used to assess the type of coping style by using the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS). The SES Self-Assessment Scale was used to measure the level of self-esteem. Patients using adaptive strategies of coping with stress in the form of active coping, seeking support and planning had higher self-esteem. However, the use of maladaptive coping strategies in the form of self-blame was found to cause a significant decrease in patients' self-esteem. The study has also shown the choice of a task-based coping style to positively influence one's self-esteem. An analysis related to patients' age and coping methods revealed younger patients, up to 65 years of age, using adaptive strategies of coping with stress to have a higher level of self-esteem than older patients using similar strategies. The results of this study show that older patients, despite the use of adaptation strategies, have lower self-esteem. This group of patients should receive special care both from family and medical staff. The obtained results support the implementation of holistic care for patients, using psychological interventions to improve patients' quality of life. Early psychological consultation and mobilization of patients' personal resources may allow patients to change stress coping methods towards more adaptive forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identifies the self-reported stressors and coping mechanisms of Dermatology residency applicants during the 2020–2021 application cycle, occurring during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The most common stressors reported were academic, family crisis, and coronavirus disease 2019. The type of stressor differed by race/ethnicity of the applicants and their geographic location. Objectives: Our aim was to identify self-reported stressors and coping mechanisms during the 2020–2021 application cycle by dermatology residency applicants. We hypothesized that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) would be the most reported stressor. Methods: During the 2020–2021 application season, the Mayo Clinic Florida Dermatology residency program sent a supplemental application to each applicant requesting that they describe a challenging life situation and how they handled it. Comparisons of self-reported stressors and self-expressed coping mechanisms according to sex, race, and geographic region were performed. Results: The most common stressors reported were academic (18.4%), family crisis (17.7%), and COVID-19 (10.5%). The most frequent coping mechanisms expressed were perseverance (22.3%), seeking community (13.7%), and resilience (11.5%). The coping mechanism of diligence was observed more often in females than in males (2.8% vs 0.0%, P = 0.045). First in medicine was more often observed in Black or African American students (12.5% vs 0%, P = 0.001), immigrant experience was more often observed in Black or African American and Hispanic students (16.7% and 11.8% vs 3.1%, P = 0.021), and natural disaster was reported more often in Hispanic students (26.5% vs 0.5%, P < 0.001) as compared with White applicants. By geography, applicants in the northeastern United States were more likely to report the COVID-19 pandemic as a stressor (19.5%, P = 0.049), and the natural disaster stressor was more often reported by applicants from outside the continental United States (45.5%, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Stressors reported by dermatology applicants in the 2020–2021 cycle included academic, family crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The type of stressor reported varied by race/ethnicity and geographic location of the applicant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Families of children and adolescents living with sickle cell disease face several challenges ranging from psycho-social to social-economic challenges. This study aimed to explore psycho-social challenges experienced by caretakers of children and adolescents aged 0–19 years with SCD and the various coping mechanisms. A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was carried out among caregivers of children with SCD who were admitted to the pediatric wards of the Mbale Regional Referral Hospital from September 2019 to November 2019. A total of 333 participants were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire and 11 in-depth interviews were conducted. Most participants 285(85.59%) reported that they experienced psychological challenges and almost all the participants in this study 297(89.19%) experienced social challenges during the care of their patients. Only 36(10.81%) reported not experiencing any social challenges. Almost all the participants reported coping with the situation in various ways of which, 296(88.89%) used acceptance, 9(2.7%) still lived in denial, while 9(2.7%) used talking with others and getting counseled to reduce the intensity of the feelings experienced. Three themes were generated from the in-depth interviews; knowledge of the child's health condition; common symptoms and care, the experience of psycho-social challenges, and coping strategies. Sickle cell disease has affected two sets of people; the people living with the disease and those who are caring for their loved ones. Being conscious of this will help health practitioners to be more empathetic to patients and caregivers when treating people living with sickle cell disease. The biggest proportion of caretakers of children and adolescents 0–19 years experienced psycho-social challenges. The main coping strategy used by the caretakers was acceptance. • The level of support given to Sickle Cell Disease patients is, to a large extent influenced by the dynamics of intra-family relations and the emotional state of family members who are mostly their caretakers. • This study, therefore, identified the psychosocial challenges and coping strategies employed by caretakers of children and adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focuses on the subjective well-being (SWB) of school counsellors in Israel and its relationship with environmental and personal resources. School counsellors work within a stressful organizational high-pressure high-touch environment, characterized by crises and involving complex tasks related directly and indirectly to their emotional world. Therefore, counsellors' SWB is an essential condition for them to fulfil their roles in an optimal manner. The research population comprised 216 school counsellors. The data collection included six questionnaires describing the participants' SWB and personal and environmental resources. Research findings demonstrated a high level of SWB among participants, self-control being the strongest explaining variable regarding the variance in SWB levels. The study offers both practical implications and theoretical contributions by identifying personal and environmental resources related to counsellors' SWB essential for the implementation of the counsellors' role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of declaration of Covid-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, the Prime Minister of India announced a nationwide lockdown to curb its spread. Subsequently, some groups of people found themselves away from their family or friends, and were unable to return to them. The aim of the research was to explore the lives of young adults who were living alone and working, during the lockdown in India. Focus was on their daily living, their relationships and their mental health. Twelve participants residing in various cities of India were included via the Internet. Focus group discussions were used to attain the objectives of the study. The data that emerged from the discussions, was analysed using thematic analysis. All participants had experienced different kinds of disruptions in their life due to the lockdown. This effect was mediated by their financial situation, their general comfort and preference for living alone, media, opportunities for non-virtual interactions and other kinds of recreation, quality of relationships and more. Though there were similarities in their coping methods, their perspective on the lockdown, the meaning they attributed to their current situation and their vision for their future was unique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Background: Previous studies have revealed that religious coping strategy is common among athletes due to the stressful experiences before and during competitions as part of the mental preparations they go through, the uncertainty of sporting outcomes, and other organizational issues they encounter. This research assessed the reproducibility of the Brief Religious Coping (RCOPE) instrument in an African setting using athletes' samples from different countries. Particularly, the research sought to assess the (1) factor structure of Brief RCOPE with an African sample, (2) construct validity of the RCOPE measure, and (3) measurement invariance of the RCOPE instrument based on gender and nationality. Methods: The study surveyed a convenient sample of 300 athletes, including 164 male and 136 female athletes, from 3 African countries (Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria) who participated in the 2018 West African University Games. The Brief RCOPE instrument was administered to the athletes for validation purposes before the competition. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted using the ordinal factor analytic approach. Results: This validation study confirmed the two-factor dimension (positive and negative religious coping) of the Brief RCOPE measure. Further, all items for each of the dimensions of the inventory contributed significantly to the measure of the Brief RCOPE domains. The positive and negative religious coping dimensions contributed more than half of the variance of their respective indicators. Measurement invariance across gender and nationality was confirmed. Conclusion: Sufficient evidence was gathered to support the interpretation and use of the Brief RCOPE measure. Coaches and sports psychologists could adopt the Brief RCOPE measure to understand the mental or thought patterns of religious athletes based on existential concerns or stress accrued from impending competitions to inform appropriate religious coping interventions. This notwithstanding, the Minimum Clinical Important Difference (MCID) of the Brief RCOPE should be further investigated to enhance the utility of the instrument for use in intervention-based studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two treatment modalities for patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). A total of 100 psychiatric patients diagnosed with BPD participated in this study. Among them, 50 patients were outpatients who attended the Reason and Emotion (RIO) program, and the remaining 50 were inpatients who were treated on psychotherapeutic ward at the same hospital. All the participants filled out the following battery of tests when entering the program/psychotherapy ward and 3 months later: Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (2nd ed), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, The COPE Inventory, and the WHOQOL-BREF scale. The results showed significant positive effects of both treatment modalities on patients' self-esteem, different domains of self-concept, impulsivity, and different domains of subjective quality of life. No significant changes were observed in terms of coping strategies. Thus, the results speak in favor of the outpatient RIO program, which is more cost-effective than the inpatient ward treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Midwives play an important role in assisting women to cope with the initial trauma of perinatal loss, but their own coping and support needs can be overlooked. The purpose of the study was to explore the coping behaviours and support needs of midwives caring for women with perinatal loss. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design was used. Data were collected using semi-structured one-on-one interviews with 13 purposively sampled participants from the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. Results: Three themes emerged concerning midwives' coping mechanisms in relation to perinatal loss, their views on support from management and the need for psychological and emotional support. Conclusions: The participants felt the need for unit-based psychological and emotional support. They called for the development of a protocol for midwives to manage perinatal loss events. They felt that the layout of the labour wards needed to be redesigned and that the problem of staff shortages needed to be urgently addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) placed healthcare professionals (HCPs) at a higher risk for stress-related conditions. Implementing a brief online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) was hypothesised to transform the HCPs' ability to cope with stress by enhancing their self-care. Aim: This study aimed to explore the impact of an online MBI on HCPs' self-care practices and determine if personality traits were a moderating variable. Setting: An online MBI was implemented for HCPs working in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Methods: A quantitative study design included a pre-assessment and post-assessment component, which allowed paired comparison and regression analysis to confer correlations. Data were collected via two validated instruments: the Mindful Self-Care scale-2018 and the Big Five Personality test. Results: Forty-nine HCPs participated in the study. Significant improvements were found in all the major self-care subscales post-intervention (p < 0.05). No significant associations were found between the personality traits and self-care except for neuroticism, which appeared to be an essential moderating variable. Conclusion: An online MBI significantly impacted health professionals' ability to care for themselves, despite their personality styles. Contribution: The impact of an online MBI on HCPs' self-care during the most intense time of stress and with a cohort of people known to be the most vulnerable to stress, namely those with neuroticism to date, has not been commented on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is still affecting the lives of everyone up to this day. Undeniably, nurses have a tremendous role in fighting the virus. They face multiple challenges brought by this pandemic, including mental and social well-being issues. This study aimed to find out what lived experiences the nurses had during the COVID-19 surge. Lazarus's Cognitive-mediational was the theory utilized in the study. The Qualitative Descriptive Phenomenological Approach was used for the investigation of this study. The researchers utilized convenience sampling to determine the participants. A total of 11 participants were from tertiary hospitals in Quezon City. The researchers used open-ended interviews to collect responses from participants. After a thorough investigation, the researchers found that participants saw these events as both challenges and opportunities. This implies they experienced numerous mental health and social well-being issues, which include depression, anxiety, stress, exhaustion, and being the carrier of the virus. The participants mentioned resilience, personal growth, social support, faith, and hobbies as coping mechanisms during the surge. This suggests that nurses are also vulnerable to mental feuds and thus aims to conceptualize a Mental Health Awareness program to cultivate effective coping mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores identity tensions feminine gamers face in the video game community and how they cope with these tensions. Using a framework derived from Social Identity Theory and Communication Theory of Identity, we explore how women respond to being silenced or muted in the video game space. Through semi-structured interviews conducted with feminine gamers (N = 14), we found women face internal and external identity tensions and either combat them by revealing or withholding their identities or avoid them by circumventing or withdrawing their identities. These findings help us understand how feminine gamers reconcile their identities when faced with tension, which can then be used to promote equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and popularization of social media have increased social anomie, as exemplified by dissemination of fake news, stereotypes, hate, ostracism, social isolation, and ubiquitous fear of missing out. As a result, members of society are more exposed to witnessing and reading of tragedies than previously. The youth of today try to find some methods to “drown out” the reality, even if the methods they use were to be effective only temporarily. That is how, in some cases, people become addicted to and dependent on any form of mass media: social media and fiction (such as video games, books, TV shows, movies or cartoons, etc.). The present article attempts to answer the question of why the young people seek closure aided by fiction, and to provide examples to illustrate it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 Pandemic has resulted in severe difficulties, especially for those who are traditional business owners. Thus, there are different challenges that business owners have experienced. This study was designed to identify the coping mechanisms of traditional business owners when a pandemic hit them. The participants in this study were ten selected traditional business owners from Santiago City. The researchers used a narratology design that focuses on the life of a person to obtain a precise and correct response. In addition, the researchers used an open-ended interview method through an interview guide. The study found that the traditional business owners experienced business closures, the emergence of online selling, a downtrend in sales, heightened business compliance to safety protocols, financial difficulties and emphasizing products and services, strengthening customer relationships and loyalty, adapting personalized public health measures, aligning the traditional business to innovative business trends and promotion through virtual channels are their ways to cope up and keep their business afloat amidst COVID-19 Pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following increased research into how situational and organizational stress affects coaches' performance and welfare, there is a need to understand how coaches appraise and cope with the stressors they experience. These experiences could help inform applied interventions that facilitate both positive behavioural and performance-related outcomes. This is particularly important in elite coaches who operate in international competitions. Thirteen Olympic coaches participated in semistructured interviews to identify how they appraised stress as they prepared for the Tokyo Olympic Games. The research identified nine subthemes, which were categorized into three general overarching themes: (a) stressors, (b) appraisal of stressors, and (c) coping mechanisms. Despite the prevalence of negative stressors, self-doubt, and self-presentational concerns, many coaches interviewed demonstrated a positive outlook in relation to stress. Furthermore, they had established strong communities of practice as coping mechanisms against the impact of stress on performance, welfare, and health. Therefore, this study provides novel insights into the broad range of physical, psychological, and emotional challenges faced by Olympic and Paralympic coaches in the buildup to Olympic and Paralympic Games. Coach education programmes can use this information to help coaches develop effective coping mechanisms, subsequently leading to more positive outcomes from the stressors they experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the tenth-grade students' significant learnings, challenges, and coping mechanisms by investigating their learning experiences in Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP)using self-learning modules. The researchers used the qualitative case study method and gathered information through online interviews with the twenty participants who completed their first and second quarters with top grades. The study disclosed the students' significant learnings such as correcting the wrong decision, responsible use of freedom, using the right conscienceandidentifying acts of man and human acts. Students also experienced difficulties learning EsPusing self-learning modules due to a lack of teacher-student interaction and poor time management. However, participants show positivity in coping mechanisms for using internet websites as their learning tool.

Sehar-un-Nisa Hassan,1,2 Aqeela Zahra,3 Nuzhat Parveen,4 Naveed Iqbal,4 Sarwat Mumtaz,5 Asma Batool6 1Department of Public Health, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, 81451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Behavioral Sciences, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan; 3Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, 81451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, 81451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Health Management, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, 81451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 6Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternity and Children Hospital Ha’il, Ha’il, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Sehar-un-Nisa Hassan, Department of Public Health, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, 81451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tel +966 5576 629 275, Email s.nisa@uoh.edu.sa; sehar_nisa@hotmail.com Nuzhat Parveen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, 81451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Email n.parveen@uoh.edu.saAbstract: Background: Treatment tolerability and treatment environment are two major spheres of infertility care that may associate with women’s emotional health and coping mechanisms.Aim: The present study aimed at assessing the relationship between infertility treatment quality and various aspects of emotion-focus coping, problem-focus coping, and avoidance coping mechanisms.Method: The study was completed by using standardized tools and data from this descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study were collected from 350 women undergoing infertility treatments in private reproductive healthcare centers in Quetta, Pakistan.Findings: Treatment tolerability was found to be positively associated with positive reframing (p < 0.02) and negatively associated with the use of emotional support (p < 0.03); acceptance (p < 0.01); humor (p < 0.03); behavioral disengagement (p < 0.01) and venting (p < 0.01). The quality of the treatment environment demonstrated a negative correlation between religious coping (p < 0.02) and behavioral disengagement (p < 0.01), whereas it showed a positive correlation with active coping (p < 0.03) and planning (p < 0.02). The linear regression analysis demonstrated that treatment tolerability significantly increased with positive reframing (R2 = 0.118, F(304) = 2.22, p < 0.03). Behavioral disengagement significantly decreased with better treatment environment (R2 = 0.111, F(304) = 2.09, p < 0.02).Discussion: We discussed the findings keeping in view the role of social, cultural, and economic factors related to infertility care in the context South-Asian culture, and recommendations are made to promote women’s mental health and coping by improving some specific aspects of infertility treatment quality.Conclusions: High treatment tolerability may associate with some useful aspects of emotion-focus coping, such as positive reframing, whereas low treatment tolerability may associate with avoidance coping, such as behavioral disengagement and venting. Besides, the quality of the infertility treatment environment enables women to use problem-focus coping mechanisms, such as planning and active coping.Keywords: infertility, treatment quality, FertiQol, coping mechanisms, mental health, reproductive healthcare, treatment tolerability, treatment environment, psychological well-being

Literature is part of English as Second Language (ESL) teaching where students may find ways to better understand themselves and different things happening in their society. This study aimed to analyze the content of the postcolonial novel "An Artist of the Floating World" by the 2017 Nobel Prize for Literature awardee, Kazuo Ishiguro, for its depiction of coping mechanisms from cultural displacement. The qualitative research design and content analysis were used to systematically analyze the text. It was found that cultural displacement creates stress, fear, distress, and at some extreme levels, trauma. Displaced people may have varied attitudes toward these that led to coping. The coping mechanisms in the novel were minimizing and denying, repressing emotions, communicating and seeking support from family and friends, going into healthy habits, giving time for hobbies, and respecting the views and opinions of others. The study recommends a short story and drama also be explored for the same topics. Moreover, literature dealing with cultural displacement could be included in the reading lists of literature courses. The analysis would be the input for proposed supplementary learning and teaching material on cultural displacement to Filipino College students, particularly for BSED English majors, which could be used in Teaching Children and Adolescent Literature, Survey of Philippine Literature in English, and most particularly in Survey of Afro-Asian Literature.

This research study examines the challenges faced by intercultural teams and the coping mechanisms employed while working on a virtual business professional project during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing upon affect event theory and appraisal theory, the study sheds light on the interplay between affective responses, cognitive appraisals, and coping mechanisms adopted by teams during the pandemic crisis. The findings offer valuable insights into effective strategies for steering intercultural teams during and after pandemic crisis. These insights are beneficial for both scholars and practitioners seeking to improve intercultural communication and collaboration within virtual work settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Increases in food prices during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant rise in moderate or severe food insecurity. • The effect of increases in food prices persisted in the medium term. • The effect on food insecurity was significantly worse in rural areas compared to urban areas following the price shocks. • Households cope with the price shock through financial assistance from domestic family and remittances from abroad. Global food prices rose substantially after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper examines the impact of rising food prices during the pandemic on food security in Burkina Faso. We aim to answer two primary questions. First, how do food price shocks affect household food insecurity? Second, what coping strategies do households adopt in response to these price shocks? Leveraging country-wide high-frequency longitudinal data, we employ household fixed effect models to examine the effects. In the absence of direct information on local food prices, we use household-reported price shocks to capture province-level price increases and show that the results are consistent with national-level price increases. We find significant and immediate increases in food insecurity following the price shocks, and this effect persists for at least two months. The price shocks most acutely affected the poorest households. Furthermore, food insecurity increased more in rural areas than in urban areas. The higher proportion of poorer households in rural areas explains part of this difference. We find that households primarily cope with the shock by relying on increased assistance from relatives in Burkina Faso and abroad. This study is the first to use panel data with household fixed effects to examine the repercussions of the rise in food prices during the pandemic on food insecurity in a developing country and to examine the coping mechanisms employed by households. Given that food prices are likely to remain high globally for an extended period, our findings carry implications for the broader developing world. Furthermore, given the disproportionate effect on the poorest and those living in rural areas, the findings highlight the need for policies to mitigate the negative impacts of the price shocks and enhance overall food security in countries like Burkina Faso. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Health-care workers (HCWs) are facing stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stigma is associated with poor mental health. Aims: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and psychological impact of COVID-19-related stigma and different coping mechanisms among physicians in Mumbai. Settings and Design: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and seventy physicians from Mumbai were administered questionnaires on perceived stress, anxiety, COVID-19-related stigma, and coping strategies. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and binary logistic regression in the SPSS, version 20.0. Results: The prevalence of stress and anxiety was 57.6% and 20.0%, respectively. 34.7% of physicians felt stigmatized due to COVID-19. Stress was significantly associated with COVID-19-related stigma (P = 0.009), and emotion-oriented coping (P = 0.000), as was anxiety (P = 0.000, P = 0.000, respectively). Conclusions: COVID-19-related stigma is a major issue among physicians. Stigma and emotion-oriented coping mechanisms are predictive of mental distress in this population.

The current study seeks to discover the experiences of the school leaders towards their challenges during a pandemic and their coping mechanisms to provide quality education to the institution's students. The researcher applies narrative inquiry to a qualitative research design. A total of six deans and associate deans were selected as research participants through purposive sampling. Via an interview guide during the interview, the researcher gathered data and presented it using narratives. The results revealed that school leaders encountered many challenges, particularly in the immediate readiness of evaluation tools, accessibility of technology, relationships with coworkers, the University's learning continuity plan implementation, the execution of the course, and the systematic implementation of procedures. In contrast, the efforts made by the school leaders to battle the pandemic outbreak are vital for the education system to cope, including the delivery of webinars, training, and workshops, the availability of a plan for continuous learning, and the University's assistance to stakeholders. It is recommended that higher education institutions design and enhance their learning continuity plans, ensure that the manuals are appropriately disseminated, undertake curriculum enhancements for those programs requiring review, and follow the administration's instructions.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) placed healthcare professionals (HCPs) at a higher risk for stress-related conditions. Implementing a brief online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) was hypothesised to transform the HCPs’ ability to cope with stress by enhancing their self-care. Aim: This study aimed to explore the impact of an online MBI on HCPs’ self-care practices and determine if personality traits were a moderating variable. Setting: An online MBI was implemented for HCPs working in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Methods: A quantitative study design included a pre-assessment and post-assessment component, which allowed paired comparison and regression analysis to confer correlations. Data were collected via two validated instruments: the Mindful Self-Care scale-2018 and the Big Five Personality test. Results: Forty-nine HCPs participated in the study. Significant improvements were found in all the major self-care subscales post-intervention (p 0.05). No significant associations were found between the personality traits and self-care except for neuroticism, which appeared to be an essential moderating variable. Conclusion: An online MBI significantly impacted health professionals’ ability to care for themselves, despite their personality styles. Contribution: The impact of an online MBI on HCPs’ self-care during the most intense time of stress and with a cohort of people known to be the most vulnerable to stress, namely those with neuroticism to date, has not been commented on.

Background: Australian pharmacists encountered increased stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has raised questions regarding the effectiveness of the coping mechanisms used to manage this high work-related stress. Identifying useful and harmful coping mechanisms is critical for providing advice regarding addressing pharmacists' future work-related stress. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the impact of pharmacy work on stress experienced by Australian pharmacists and the coping mechanisms used during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also aimed to evaluate the pharmacists' perceptions of the impact of these coping mechanisms on their stress. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Practising pharmacists and interns were recruited to complete an online survey that included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), which was used to measure pharmacists' work-related stress, and the Brief-COPE scale, used to assess the coping mechanisms used during the COVID-19 pandemic. The key outcome measure was the PSS score. A multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between coping mechanisms and stress levels in a sample of Australian pharmacists. Results: A total of 173 pharmacists and interns were recruited. The mean PSS was 18.02 (SD = 6.7). Avoidant coping mechanisms such as social withdrawal (β = 0.31; p = 0.0001) were significantly positively associated with work-related stress. In contrast, exercise was significantly negatively associated with work-related stress (β = −0.21; p = 0.009). The most frequently reported perceived barrier to seeking help was feeling burnt out and underappreciated. Conclusions: This study highlights the association of coping mechanisms used by pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic with work-related stress. The study results demonstrate the importance of physical activity and spending time with pets in reducing work-related stress levels. Avoiding harmful coping mechanisms such as social withdrawal and drinking alcohol is recommended. This study also highlights the need for interventional studies to reduce work-related stress levels among pharmacists by addressing useful coping mechanisms.

Background: Mental health and well-being are significantly harmed by exposure to trauma, resulting in PTSD. The use of social media has increased Statista (2021) recently, but little is known about how exposure to trauma and the development of PTSD affect trust in social media. Methods: This qualitative study examines how trauma exposure and the development of PTSD affected addiction in the community of military veterans diagnosed with PTSD using thematic narrative analysis of semi-structured interviews. A convenience sample of fifteen people from a social media support group for people with PTSD was interviewed, and five admitted to engaging in addictive information behaviors. Results: Participants described experiencing fear and mistrust due to being overloaded with information on social media platforms. Additionally, many claimed that particular social media content caused them to have traumatic event triggers, which further damaged their trust in these sites. Participants who had a history of exposure to trauma and the development of PTSD also mentioned utilizing social media as a coping strategy to block out their symptoms. Nevertheless, This coping strategy frequently backfired as they became more dependent on social media and could not handle their symptoms. Conclusion: Important ramifications flow from these findings for mental health providers who treat patients with trauma-related disorders. They emphasize the importance of mental health professionals addressing social media use issues as part of their treatment strategies for people with trauma-related disorders. Small sample sizes and reliance on self-reported data are two drawbacks. Larger samples and objective measures of social media use and addiction could be used in future studies to examine these findings further.

BackgroundPrevious studies have revealed that religious coping strategy is common among athletes due to the stressful experiences before and during competitions as part of the mental preparations they go through, the uncertainty of sporting outcomes, and other organizational issues they encounter. This research assessed the reproducibility of the Brief Religious Coping (RCOPE) instrument in an African setting using athletes’ samples from different countries. Particularly, the research sought to assess the (1) factor structure of Brief RCOPE with an African sample, (2) construct validity of the RCOPE measure, and (3) measurement invariance of the RCOPE instrument based on gender and nationality.MethodsThe study surveyed a convenient sample of 300 athletes, including 164 male and 136 female athletes, from 3 African countries (Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria) who participated in the 2018 West African University Games. The Brief RCOPE instrument was administered to the athletes for validation purposes before the competition. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted using the ordinal factor analytic approach.ResultsThis validation study confirmed the two-factor dimension (positive and negative religious coping) of the Brief RCOPE measure. Further, all items for each of the dimensions of the inventory contributed significantly to the measure of the Brief RCOPE domains. The positive and negative religious coping dimensions contributed more than half of the variance of their respective indicators. Measurement invariance across gender and nationality was confirmed.ConclusionSufficient evidence was gathered to support the interpretation and use of the Brief RCOPE measure. Coaches and sports psychologists could adopt the Brief RCOPE measure to understand the mental or thought patterns of religious athletes based on existential concerns or stress accrued from impending competitions to inform appropriate religious coping interventions. This notwithstanding, the Minimum Clinical Important Difference (MCID) of the Brief RCOPE should be further investigated to enhance the utility of the instrument for use in intervention-based studies.

Many hospitals that manage health emergencies are resource-constrained and as such have challenges to provide quality care to patients. Exploring these challenges in resource-constrained hospitals and addressing them at the operational level through coping mechanisms could aid timely interventions to save patients with potentially life-threatening conditions. The study adopted qualitative approach and grounded theory design. Simple random sampling was used to cluster selected hospitals while purposive sampling was used to select right cadre of nursing leaders with experience to provide needed information. Data collection was done through interviews. Findings indicate nursing staff face a myriad of challenges including logistics, human resources, knowledge, financial resources, staff attitude and professional barriers in managing critically-ill patients. The findings also indicate that, identified challenges have resulted in increased workload, job dissatisfaction among staff, and some negative consequences on the safety and health care outcomes of patients. The most important recommendation from the participants is increasing the availability of in-service emergency training to improve skill levels of nurses and patient outcomes.

We aimed to explore the behavioural protective mechanisms against cannabis use among adolescents living in South African illicit cannabis-growing communities, based on the Self Determination Theory (SDT). Exploratory qualitative design techniques were followed in conducting the study. The snowball sampling technique was used to recruit thirty (30) non-cannabis smoking adolescents from 2 purposively selected communities and grouped into 4 focus groups and interviewed. A semi-structured focus group interview guide was used to moderate the discussions. Data were analysed inductively, using the ATLAS. ti software. Nine behavioural coping mechanisms, grouped under intrinsic and extrinsic protective behavioural mechanisms, protected participants from using cannabis. Intrinsically, participants' determination not to engage in bad behaviours, focus on their academic work during their free periods, their non-financial dependence on cannabis-using peers, self-preservation to ensure good marriages, and religious beliefs on substance abuse motivated them to not use cannabis. On the other hand, the concept of Ukuphoxa (preservation of family dignity), fear of arrest, fear of being tagged a social deviant, and the fear of contracting illnesses such as lung cancer served as protective behavioural mechanisms against cannabis use. Health promotion and education programmes for adolescents on non-cannabis use in communities where illicit cannabis abounds must identify and draw on contextual intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that ensure non-cannabis use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial eye clinics address physical and aesthetic aspects of orbital prostheses, but psychological effects may not be formally addressed. In general, without effective coping mechanisms, stress can lead to anxiety and depression. This study aims to determine, in the context of having an artificial eye, whether coping strategies, as well as perception of illness and other demographic and clinical variables are associated with anxiety or depression. Consecutive patients attending two artificial eye clinics were invited to participate in this audit. Participants completed questionnaires: HADS, Brief IPQ and Brief COPE. Variables with a correlation coefficient of ≥0.2 with anxiety or depression were included in regression modeling. The extent to which the participants' emotional and cognitive representations of their artificial eye related to feelings of anxiety and depression was determined. In the cohort of 208, clinically significant anxiety was present in 29.5% and clinically significant depression was present in 8.4%. Perceptions of the impact of the artificial eye and self-blame as a coping strategy were correlated with anxiety. Depression levels were higher when participants believed that their artificial eye had a greater impact on their life, when they lived alone, and when they used substances as a coping strategy. Significant levels of anxiety exist in those living with artificial eyes, with various coping strategies used. Addressing this and offering alternative coping strategies may improve patient well being and overall satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of teacher stress, anxiety, and depression (SAD) has been confirmed and investigated in various contexts. This research aimed to study the (dys)functional coping strategies (CSs) of teachers and their experienced SAD levels. Of the 549 invited language teachers, 398 (75%) teachers with various occupational attributes participated in this study by completing the (Dys)functional Coping Strategies Scales (DCSS) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS). The results indicated high teacher SAD rates (M = 31%). Regarding teacher professional characteristics, preservice teachers were more susceptible to suffer from stress, while expert teachers were at risk of experiencing anxiety and depression. Among the recognized functional CSs, talking with friends, parents, etc. and self-monitoring to control feelings appear to be the two important protective cognitive-behavioral (C-B) mechanisms to deal with teacher SAD. Using negative self-talk and self-blame and smoking cigarettes (excessively) were the concerning coping mechanisms of teachers with SAD. It is suggested that effective and continuous interventions should be developed and incorporated into teacher education programs to equip teachers with required CSs and to promote functional C-B conducts and strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, using a case-study approach, we focus on the assassination of Ján Kuciak and his fiancée and explore the impact and consequences that it had on the community of investigative journalists in Slovakia. By conducting a series of semi-structured interviews with top investigative journalists (N = 12), we seek to answer two questions: How have they coped with the murder of their colleague? And, how has this incident changed their everyday journalistic practices and routines when it comes to achieving and maintaining safety? We identified 12 coping actions which, based on their function, were organised into five higher order families of coping: emotional purging; sharing and support seeking; avoidance and displacement; defiance and defence; and spreading the legacy and giving meaning to the tragedy. Regarding safety and security practices, the journalists claim that their approach has fundamentally changed. A variety of measures to stay safe, both online and offline, were adopted both on the organisational and on the individual level. However, many of these measures are not used consistently, mostly because they are not deemed necessary when covering non-sensitive topics, but also because of their impracticality in everyday journalistic work, and sceptical and fatalistic approach of the journalists to safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst post-GFC austerity state retrenchment is widely studied, there is little research which focuses on the experiences of those who work at the front-line of austere public services. Drawing on qualitative evidence with front-line workers in four UK local authorities significantly impacted by austerity, this paper explores 'coping mechanisms' developed by workers to manage resource restriction. It argues that existing conceptualisations of coping mechanisms, such as either resistance or adaptation, are insufficient to understand how workers manage contemporary austerity. This paper proposes an additional mechanism – absorption – and explores analytically how workers cope with austerity in terms of resistance, adaptation and absorption. The paper concludes that front-line local government workers are coping with austerity cuts, in large part, by acting as 'shock absorbers' of state retrenchment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine the associations between emotionally charged reactions to climate change, self-care, quality of life among older adults, coping mechanisms, and pro-environmental practices., Background: Older adults often face unique challenges in coping with climate change and its detrimental effect on self-care and quality of life. They may be particularly vulnerable to this pressing global issue., Method: A multi-center, descriptive, correlational approach from three governorates in Egypt. A convenience sample of 609 older adults answered the Inventory of Climate Emotions, the Older People's Quality of Life-Brief, the Self-care Ability Scale for the Elderly, the Pro-Environmental Practices Assessment, and the Coping Scale with Climate Change., Results: The overall emotionally charged reactions to the idea of climate change showed a negative correlation with both the older adults' QoL total score (r = -.762) and the Self-care Ability Scale (r = -.775), yet a positive correlation with Pro-environmental Practices (r = .692) and Coping Strategies (r = .992). The regression analyses revealed that emotions explain a substantial variance in the older adult's quality of life (85.6%) and self-care (79.7%), as well as their pro-environmental actions (72%) and coping strategies (38.8%)., Recommendations and Implications: The research underscores climate change's significant emotional and psychological ramifications on older adults, yielding valuable insights for geriatric nursing practice. The findings can facilitate the development of precise interventions to promote self-care, bolster coping strategies, and advocate for pro-environmental conduct among older adults. Understanding these associations can contribute to the enhancement of quality of life and the fortification of resilience. The research implications may offer pivotal guidance for geriatric nursing education, clinical protocols, and community initiatives dedicated to fortifying older adults' mental well-being, contending with the repercussions of climate change., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No conflict of interest was found between the authors., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)