A one year study of coping, social support and quality of life in Parkinson's disease

Author(s): DeRidder, D. T. D., Bensing, J. M.

Journal/Book: Psychol Health. 2000; 15: C/O Stbs Ltd, PO Box 90, Reading, Berks, England Rg1 8Jl. Harwood Acad Publ Gmbh. 109-121.

Abstract: The role of coping and social support in the quality of life for Parkinson's Disease CPD) patients is not well understood. Most studies are cross-sectional and concentrate on depression as an outcome measure. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of coping and social support in quality of life for patients with PD. Self-report measures were completed by 105 sufferers of PD; 75 completed the same questionnaire a year later. Patients had the most problems with social function, followed by problems with mobility control and psychological autonomy and communication. After controlling for age, gender and illness duration, the number of PD symptoms predicted mobility control, social functioning and psychological function. Passive coping explained additional variance in most functional domains with more passive coping being related to increased problems. The quality of life was highly stable over the course of the year. Active coping was related to superior psychological functioning one year later. In fact, this was the only coping and social support variable related to functioning after one year, when controlling for previous functions. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of symptom management in PD.

Note: Article Schreurs KMG, Univ Utrecht, POB 80140, NL-3508 TC Utrecht, NETHERLANDS

Keyword(s): Parkinson's disease; quality of life; coping; social support; longitudinal; sickness impact profile; DEPRESSION; ADAPTATION

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