Stressful life events and coping strategies among patients with generalized anxiety disorders

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety disorders are the most frequently occurring mental disorders resulting in psychological and physical problems. Coping is a healthy response to stress that helps in restoration to homeostasis. The aim was to identify gender and age difference on stressful life events and coping among patients with generalized anxiety disorder.

Methods: In the study, 60 subjects above 15 years of age were recruited from Psychiatric OPD of Tribhuvan University, Teaching Hospital. Subjects were assessed with Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale and standard Coping Check List was used. Mean difference in stressful life events and coping strategy was compared by age and gender by using paired t-test. Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for association between stressful life events and coping strategy.

Results: Female experienced significantly more stressful life events (SLE) than males (2.2±2.0). No age different in SLE was observed. Passive acceptance coping strategy was significantly higher among females than males (p=0.01). Passive coping strategy and problem focused coping strategy were most frequently adopted coping strategies.

Conclusion: Females with generalized anxiety disorder experienced more SLE than males. Coping strategies were most commonly associated with SLE among middle adults than young adults. Problem focused coping and passive acceptance coping were the mostly adopted coping strategy amongpatients with generalized anxiety disorder and were significantly correlated with males.