BACKGROUND

In the Philippines, the prevalence of food insecurity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting the nutritional status of communities nationwide. Urban areas in particular are vulnerable to the harmful effects of food insecurity, and the effects are extended and magnified when it comes to children.

This study aims to evaluate the coping strategies of households with children aged 0-10 years old in an urban poor community in Quezon City. In particular, the study will determine Coping Strategies Index (CSI) scores and the frequency of specific coping strategies used.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the coping strategies of 405 households with children in the community during the pandemic. Mothers or caregivers were given a survey inquiring about the sociodemographic data and CSI.

Sociodemographic profiling showed that the households generally belonged to class D and E (PhP 15,000 and below) income households (73.8%). The majority of the household heads (52.6%) have their highest educational attainment at the high school level. The majority (77.5%) of the households were categorized as having low CSI classification (90%CI: 73.9, 80.8). This could indicate that relief operations conducted in the community may have helped ease their food insecurity. Coping strategies that were most frequently employed by the households were depending on less preferred or more affordable food (74.8%), rationing money for prepared food (69.1%), and purchasing food on credit (58.5%).

Low CSI classification was noted, which may be due to increased adaptation to persistent food insecurity and the utilization of coping strategies not indicated in the questionnaire. Common coping strategies used by households include reliance on less favored or less costly food items, rationing resources for prepared food, and food on credit. It is recommended that the results collected be used to target food availability and accessibility interventions in the community.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Mothers play a significant role as primary caregivers for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) within the family. Given the complex health needs of children with CHD, coping strategies are needed to deal with the challenges associated with caring for their children with the condition. Coping mechanisms encompass fostering resilience, seeking support, and maintaining a positive outlook to navigate stress, uncertainty, and obstacles throughout their child's medical journey with CHD. The objective of this study is to explore the coping strategies employed by mothers of children diagnosed with CHD in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines.

Employing a descriptive qualitative study design, data was gathered through key informant interviews utilizing a semi-structured topic guide, which aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of mothers with children with CHDs. Ethical approval was obtained, and data collection occurred from January to March 2016. Interview transcripts were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and underwent content analysis. Themes derived from the analysis were then validated and confirmed by the study participants.

A total of 11 mothers voluntarily participated in the study. These participants expressed utilizing various coping strategies to manage their child's condition, including seeking assistance from both physicians and traditional healers, advocating for their children, receiving support from their family and friends, regulation of emotion, and prayer and faith in God.

This study sheds light on the coping mechanisms used by mothers in raising thier children with CHD, highlighting the value of spirituality and psychological support in their journey. Enhancing assistance for impacted families and advancing genetic counseling services are two benefits of incorporating these findings into healthcare practice.

OBJECTIVES: Depression is a common negative emotion that can significantly impact physical and mental health. Due to their occupational characteristics, medical staff are more susceptible to depression compared to the general population. This study aims to explore the influence of future-oriented coping on depression among medical staff and the mediating roles of psychological resilience and perceived stress, providing theoretical guidance for depression intervention strategies in this group. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical staff at a tertiary hospital using convenience sampling. Data were collected via the "Wenjuanxing" platform. A total of 754 questionnaires were distributed; after excluding invalid responses (e.g., duplicate IPs or insufficient completion time), 655 valid questionnaires were retained (valid response rate: 86.87%). Instruments included a demographic questionnaire, the Future-Oriented Coping Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Self-Rating Depression Scale. All scales demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α>0.88) and validity. SPSS 27.0 was used for descriptive analysis, and PROCESS macro (Model 6) was used to test the chain mediation model. Harman's one-factor test was applied to control for common method bias. RESULTS: Descriptive analyses showed that future-oriented coping was positively correlated with psychological resilience and negatively correlated with perceived stress and depression. Mediation analysis revealed that future-oriented coping significantly predicted lower depression levels among medical staff (β=-0.283, P<0.001). Psychological resilience partially mediated the relationship (effect size=-0.329, accounting for 34.13% of the total effect), as did perceived stress (effect size=-0.099, 10.27%). A significant chain mediation path was identified: "future-oriented coping → psychological resilience → perceived stress → depression" (effect size=-0.253, 26.24%). The total indirect effect accounted for 70.64% of the overall effect, highlighting the substantial role of the mediating pathways. CONCLUSIONS Future-oriented coping can reduce depressive symptoms in medical staff, with psychological resilience and perceived stress serving as key mediators in a chain structure. These findings suggest that enhancing future-oriented coping strategies and psychological resilience may improve stress adaptation and reduce depression levels in this population.
Humans ; Adaptation, Psychological ; Resilience, Psychological ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression/psychology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Stress, Psychological/psychology* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Medical Staff/psychology* ; Occupational Stress/psychology*

OBJECTIVES: End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major disease that seriously threatens the health of young people, and kidney transplantation is an effective treatment method to improve its prognosis.Young ESRD patients at a critical stage of life development often face significant physical and psychological challenges while waiting for kidney transplantation. Their psychological state directly affects treatment compliance and transplantation outcomes.This study aims to explore the psychological experiences of young patients with end stage renal disease during the waiting period for kidney transplantation, and provide a reference for formulating relevant psychological intervention measures. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative research design was adopted. Using purposive sampling, 20 young ESRD patients awaiting for kidney transplantation at the Transplantation Center of Xiangya Third Hospital, Central South University, from June to August 2024, were recruited. Based on the socio-ecological systems theory, a semi-structured interview outline was developed, and directed content analysis was applied to analyze the interview data. RESULTS: According to the results of qualitative interviews, 3 themes and 9 sub-themes were summarized as follows: Microsystem (disease pain experience, anxiety during transplantation waiting period, cognitive differentiation and coping differences), mesosystem (imbalance of family roles and dependent guilt, physician-patient trust dynamics, ambivalence toward peer support), and macrosystem (decision-making powerlessness caused by information asymmetry, sociocultural stigma and public bias, institutional dependence and passive behavior). CONCLUSIONS Young ESRD patients experience complex psychological experiences during the waiting period for kidney transplantation. Healthcare providers should explore corresponding intervention measures based on patients' psychological status to improve their waiting period experience and promote both physical and mental health.
Humans ; Kidney Transplantation/psychology* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/surgery* ; Qualitative Research ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Adaptation, Psychological ; Waiting Lists ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Anxiety/psychology*

OBJECTIVES: To explore the manifestations of sensory hypersensitivity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and individuals with subclinical autistic traits. METHODS: From September 2021 to April 2023, interviews were conducted on 18 college students with high levels of autistic traits and sensory hypersensitivity selected using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (as subclinical group). Interviews were also conducted on the parents of 11 children with ASD aged 6-13 years selected using the intensity sampling method (as clinical group). Qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis were performed on the interview texts to investigate the scenarios and impact of sensory hypersensitivity and coping strategies in the two groups. RESULTS: The Autism Spectrum Quotient score was significantly positively correlated with sensory hypersensitivity (r=0.504, P<0.001; n=225). Sensory modalities that triggered sensitive reactions were similar in the subclinical and clinical groups, with auditory hypersensitivity being the most prominent. Sensory hypersensitivity had significant negative impact on emotional wellbeing, cognitive ability, physical health, interpersonal relationships, and general adaptive functioning. These dimensions were interconnected, culminating in a holistic experience. Avoidance was the most commonly used coping mechanism for both groups (16 subclinical participants mentioned it 44 times; 8 clinical participants mentioned it 40 times). The clinical group required more support and help from their caregivers (18 times), while the subclinical group used more proactive coping strategies (e.g., facing sensitive scenarios, distracting attention) to alleviate the negative impact (51 times). CONCLUSIONS Sensory hypersensitivity is a common manifestation across the broad ASD phenotype, posing negative effects on multiple aspects of their lives. There is an urgent need for social tolerance and acceptance as well as the development of effective intervention measures.
Humans ; Child ; Autism Spectrum Disorder/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent ; Adaptation, Psychological ; Autistic Disorder/psychology* ; Sensation Disorders/etiology* ; Qualitative Research

Background: In the Philippines, the prevalence of food insecurity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting the nutritional status of communities nationwide. Urban areas in particular are vulnerable to the harmful effects of food insecurity, and the effects are extended and magnified when it comes to children. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the coping strategies of households with children aged 0-10 years old in an urban poor community in Quezon City. In particular, the study will determine Coping Strategies Index (CSI) scores and the frequency of specific coping strategies used. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the coping strategies of 405 households with children in the community during the pandemic. Mothers or caregivers were given a survey inquiring about the sociodemographic data and CSI. Results: Sociodemographic profiling showed that the households generally belonged to class D and E (PhP 15,000 and below) income households (73.8%). The majority of the household heads (52.6%) have their highest educational attainment at the high school level. The majority (77.5%) of the households were categorized as having low CSI classification (90%CI: 73.9, 80.8). This could indicate that relief operations conducted in the community may have helped ease their food insecurity. Coping strategies that were most frequently employed by the households were depending on less preferred or more affordable food (74.8%), rationing money for prepared food (69.1%), and purchasing food on credit (58.5%). Conclusion Low CSI classification was noted, which may be due to increased adaptation to persistent food insecurity and the utilization of coping strategies not indicated in the questionnaire. Common coping strategies used by households include reliance on less favored or less costly food items, rationing resources for prepared food, and food on credit. It is recommended that the results collected be used to target food availability and accessibility interventions in the community.
Food Insecurity ; Adaptation, Psychological

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) defines autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in early childhood and is accompanied by social communication deficits and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. According to the monitoring data released in 2021 in the United States, the prevalence of ASD in children was as high as 2.27%; that is, one in 44 children had autism (Maenneret al., 2021). China publicly reported this figure to be around 0.7% (Zhou et al., 2020). The current view is that children with ASD are generally impaired in their adaptation ability (McDonaldet al., 2016; Hodgeet al., 2021; Opertoet al., 2021). Adaptive behaviors comprise the conceptual, social, and practical skills that enable individuals to adapt to the environment, which play an important role in daily life (McDonald et al., 2019). "Adaptive behavior" was first described by Doll (1936). Subsequently, abnormalities in adaptive behavior were included in the criteria for intellectual disability for the first time (Heber, 1961). The American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) has refined and specified this term several times. Researchers hold different opinions on the structure of social adaptive capability. Greenspan and Granfield (1992) divided social adaptive capability into social understanding and social interaction. However, an increasing number of scholars considered that the concept of adaptive behaviors in children was constructed via multiple dimensions. The most representative one among them was the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) proposed by Sparrow et al. (1984). This scale illustrates that adaptive behavior includes communication, daily living skills, socialization, and motor skills. Harrison and Oakland (2003) developed an Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS), by applying the theory of adaptive behavior proposed by AAMR and the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). This system shows that adaptive behavior has three adaptive composites, namely, conceptual composite (including communication, learning function, and self-management), social composite (including leisure and social skills), and practical composite (including community application, home living, health and safety, and self-care). As there are different requirements for the social adaptive capability of children from different cultural backgrounds and various regions, Chinese scholars have translated the Normal Development of Social Skills from Infant to Junior High School Children (S-M) scale compiled by Japanese scholars into Chinese, which is now widely used in China (Zhang et al., 1995). The impairment of adaptive function in children with ASD includes multiple dimensions, such as socialization, communication, and daily living skills (Kanne et al., 2011), and the degree of impairment can predict the prognosis and outcome in real life, including education acquisition and independent living ability (Farley et al., 2009). Therefore, adaptive behavioral capacity is considered to be a key intervention point that directly affects the individual and social outcomes of autistic children (Veenstra-VanderWeele et al., 2017; Bölte et al., 2019).
Humans ; Autism Spectrum Disorder/psychology* ; Male ; Adaptation, Psychological ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; China/epidemiology*

Various studies have highlighted that women are at a higher risk of becoming victims of cyberbullying, with the severity of cyberbullying among women in many countries increasing and the urgency of having necessary intervention steps by governments and legal institutions in place. Nonetheless, the taboo of discussing mental health and individual struggles has hindered victims from disclosing their cyberbullying experiences they have gone through or are still currently experiencing due to the fear of being discriminated against. Therefore, this study aimed to explore cyberbullying from a victim’s perspective among women with heavy social media usage, as well as their coping strategies. A qualitative research design was utilised to understand the cyberbullying experience and coping strategies among five young women aged between 20 to 26 years old. Participants were recruited through social media. Collected data were analysed using thematic analysis which revealed three cyberbullying themes: “harassment”, “relational aggression” and “trolling”, three initial reaction themes: “anger”, “sadness” and “confusion”, two crossroad themes: “helplessness” and “sense of control” that either lead to the relapse of cyberbullying experience or coping strategies, and three coping strategy themes: “social coping”, “emotion-focused coping” and “problem-focused coping” and lastly, cognitive reappraisal. The findings provide comprehensive insights into understanding cyberbullying experiences and coping strategies among women with heavy social media usage. Understanding the effectiveness of various forms of coping allows mental health professionals to support their clients by finding out the implemented coping strategy and expanding on other forms of coping to build a more holistic support for their clients.
Coping Skills ; Cyberbullying ; Social Media ; Women

Background and Objective: Mothers play a significant role as primary caregivers for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) within the family. Given the complex health needs of children with CHD, coping strategies are needed to deal with the challenges associated with caring for their children with the condition. Coping mechanisms encompass fostering resilience, seeking support, and maintaining a positive outlook to navigate stress, uncertainty, and obstacles throughout their child's medical journey with CHD. The objective of this study is to explore the coping strategies employed by mothers of children diagnosed with CHD in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines. Methods: Employing a descriptive qualitative study design, data was gathered through key informant interviews utilizing a semi-structured topic guide, which aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of mothers with children with CHDs. Ethical approval was obtained, and data collection occurred from January to March 2016. Interview transcripts were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and underwent content analysis. Themes derived from the analysis were then validated and confirmed by the study participants. Results: A total of 11 mothers voluntarily participated in the study. These participants expressed utilizing various coping strategies to manage their child's condition, including seeking assistance from both physicians and traditional healers, advocating for their children, receiving support from their family and friends, regulation of emotion, and prayer and faith in God. Conclusion This study sheds light on the coping mechanisms used by mothers in raising thier children with CHD, highlighting the value of spirituality and psychological support in their journey. Enhancing assistance for impacted families and advancing genetic counseling services are two benefits of incorporating these findings into healthcare practice.
Heart Defects, Congenital ; Coping Skills

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the well-being of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. The core deficits of the condition and increased parental stress during this time made them more vulnerable. Objectives: This study aims to explore how the pandemic has affected these families by identifying their needs and capabilities in order to provide support. Methods: A total of 227 parents of children with ASD completed an online survey consisting of items on sociodemographic, family needs, and coping strategies. Descriptive statistics were used and t-test and ANOVA/Kruskal Wallis were used to determine the relationship between parent and child factors with needs and coping. Results: Needs for Information, Community Services, and Finances are the top categories while the greatest identified need during this pandemic was for financial assistance. Religiosity, Problem-Solving, and Cognitive Reappraisal were the widely used coping strategies by the parents. Fathers, younger children, daughters with ASD, and having more than one child with ASD showed significant association with needs. Parents with primary and tertiary education were associated with use of the cognitive reappraisal strategy and those with jobs were associated with substance use. Conclusion Families of children with ASD have multiple needs during this pandemic, from autism-specific information and services, to more generic concerns such as financial assistance. Despite these challenges, these families have positive strategies in place to facilitate coping mechanisms.
Autistic Disorder ; COVID-19 ; Needs Assessment ; Coping Skills