TY  - JOUR
TI  - Perceived stress level and methods of coping
with stress in patients with chronic itching
AB  - Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the stress level and coping methods of patients with a chronic itching problem.
Methods: The research was carried out with patients who presented at the dermatology outpatient clinics of Yozgat Bozok University Research and Application Hospital, Yozgat State Hospital, and Sorgun State Hospital with a chronic itching complaint. The sample consisted of 125 patients. The data were collected using a patient information form, and scores of a visual analogue scale (VAS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Coping Style Scale (CSS).
Results: The mean duration of an itching problem was 27.11±49.74 months and the mean itching severity based on the VAS score was 6.52±2.05. The mean PSS score was 29.71±7.2 (min-max: 14-47), which was greater than the median possible score. Female patients with severe itching (VAS ≥7) had a higher mean PSS score. A passive approach was seen more often in patients who had experienced excessive itching for 4-6 years. Patients who reported itching in the
evening used the coping style of seeking social support more than other groups. A weak positive correlation was seen between the PSS score and a passive coping style, and between the PSS score and seeking social support. A weak positive correlation was also found between patient age and an optimistic approach. A weak negative correlation between the duration of itching and a self-confident approach and seeking social support was also recorded. Finally, a weak
negative correlation was found between the duration of illness and seeking social support.
Conclusion: It was observed that as the stress level of the patients increased, they more often used passive methods to cope with stress. Nursing management of patients with chronic itching and a high stress level should include appropriate methods to increase the use of active coping methods.
AU  - YABACI, Sema
AU  - Arslan, Dilek
AU  - KILIÇ AKÇA, Nazan
DO  - 10.14744/phd.2021.97752
PY  - 2021
JO  - Psikiyatri Hemşireliği Dergisi
VL  - 12
IS  - 4
SN  - 2149-374X
SP  - 333
EP  - 340
DB  - TRDizin
UR  - http://search/yayin/detay/512583
ER  -