BMC Psychiatry (Oct 2024)

Coping style as a predictor of anxiety in relatives of patients with mental illness-a single-center study

  • Xiao Lei Gao,
  • Tong Zhao,
  • An Na Ma,
  • Ran Hao,
  • Li Na Wang,
  • Guang-Biao Huang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06088-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract Background Relatives of patients with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression experience significant levels of anxiety. Accurately predicting their anxiety levels is crucial for the development of effective anti-anxiety interventions aimed at mitigating associated adverse outcomes. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 238 relatives of patients with mental illness were recruited, and their responses were collected using the generalised anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) and simplified coping style questionnaire (SCSQ) scales. One-way analysis of variance and t-test were used to assess the mean scores of GAD-7 and SCSQ among relatives with varying characteristics. Pearson’s correlations were used to examine the correlation between anxiety levels and coping style. Multi-level regression analyses were used to identify the impact of the independent variables on anxiety. Results Among all relatives of patients with mental illness who participated in this survey, 238 completed the questionnaire. Females exhibited a higher mean GAD-7 score (9.72 ± 0.25) compared to males. Among participants aged 18–25 years, the GAD-7 (8.12 ± 0.17) score was the highest. Additionally, relatives of patients experiencing their first episode or with a disease duration of < 1 year, as well as relatives of patients with schizophrenia and depression, displayed higher GAD-7 scores. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between anxiety and SCSQ (negative coping styles) (r = 0.476, p < 0.01). Multi-level regression analyses demonstrated that demographic variables (R 2 = 0.474, F = 21.402, p < 0.01) and SCSQ (R 2 change = 0.638, F = 37.526, p < 0.01) were significantly and positively associated with anxiety among relatives of patients with mental illness. Conclusions Most relatives of patients with mental illness experience varying levels of anxiety, which are influenced by their coping styles.

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