Understanding coping strategies among people living with scleroderma: a focus group study

<p><b>Purpose:</b> Systemic sclerosis or scleroderma is a chronic, rare connective tissue disease with negative physical and psychological implications. Coping strategies used by scleroderma patients have not been studied in-depth. The objective of the present study was to gain a greater understanding of the coping strategies employed by people living with scleroderma.</p> <p><b>Method:</b> Three semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 22 people with scleroderma. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis. Coping strategies discussed were analyzed through Lazarus and Folkman’s theoretical model of coping, including: (1) problem-focused, (2) emotion-focused, and (3) meaning-focused coping.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Participants reported using a combination of problem-focused (e.g., professional help; seeking disease-related information), emotion-focused (e.g., social support; adaptive distraction techniques), and meaning-focused coping strategies (e.g., benefit finding; goal reappraisal) to help them to cope with and manage their disease. However, many patients reported having difficulty in accessing support services.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Scleroderma patients use similar coping strategies as patients with more common diseases, but they may not have access to the same level of support services. Accessible interventions, including self-management programs, aimed at improving problem- and emotion-focused coping are needed. Further, increased access to support groups may provide patients with opportunities to obtain social support and enhance coping.</p

Sociodemographic Characteristics of 22 Focus Group Participants.

<p>Sociodemographic Characteristics of 22 Focus Group Participants.</p