Experienced stress, self-efficacy, self-esteem and strategies of coping with stress and their association with clinical symptoms in schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction

Stress affects the development/course of schizophrenia. Inefficient coping may influence functioning.

Objective

Assessment of experienced stress, self-efficacy, self-esteem and coping strategies in schizophrenia.

Methods

Study group: 33 schizophrenic in-patients and 27 healthy subjects. Scales: clinical symptoms - PANSS, HDRS; stress-related - experienced stress (SES), self-efficacy (GSES), self-esteem (RSES), coping strategies (COPE).

Results

PANSS, HDRS scores (mean ± SD): 49.2 ± 16.2, 10.1 ± 7.6. Table 1 shows SES, GSES, RSES scores, Table 2 - coping strategies (only significant differences). Inter-variable correlations were found: SES-PANSS (r = 0.56, p < 0.001), SES-HDRS (r = 0.69, p = 0.01), RSES-HDRS (r = -0.39, p = 0.02), COPE14-PANSS (r = 0.38, p = 0.03), COPE14-PANSS-P (r = 0.45, p = 0.008).

[Stress, self-efficacy, self-esteem (mean score ± SD)]

[Coping strategies (mean score ± SD)]

Conclusions

Higher experienced stress, lower self-efficacy and self-esteem were found in schizophrenic patients. Stress and coping strategies may affect/result from clinical symptoms. “Passive/avoiding” coping strategies were more frequent in schizophrenic patients.