Stressful Life Events and Coping Methods in Mental-Illness and Wellness Behaviors
A descriptive-comparative study was done to examine the relationship between stressful life events and mental-illness and wellness behaviors, and the coping methods used by individuals exhibiting each behavior. Data collection included the use of the Social Readjustment Rating Scale and a coping scale administered to the experimental and control samples. The experimental group consisted of thirty psychiatric in-patients of three general hospitals who were oriented in three spheres. Subjects of the control group had no history of psychiatric illness, were currently not receiving medical treatment, and were adequately functioning in a socially accepted role. They were randomly selected to match the patient on the basis of age range (plus or minus two years), sex, and county of residence. The experimental group of mental-illness behaviors reported significantly more stressful life events occurring in the last six months than the control group. The experimental group also reported significantly more short-term coping methods than long-term methods when compared with the healthy controls. Sex differences were noted between the two groups. Notable differences also existed when age groups within the experimental and control sample were compared. A significant association was found between high stress scores and more short-term methods reported for coping with life stress by subjects within both groups. The concept of change as it relates to stress and its effect on health is an important consideration for health care professionals whose goal is health maintenance and illness prevention of people.
Nursing, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Stress, Psychological; Adaptation, Psychological.
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