Whiplash-associated disorders--predicting disability from a process-oriented perspective of coping.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the coping process over time for patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).


METHODS
The study was conducted by following patients prospectively for 12 months.


METHODS
The orthopaedic clinic at a university hospital.


METHODS
Fifty-three patients out of 59 had complete data-sets.


METHODS
Two measures were used: the Pain Disability Index (PDI) and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ).


RESULTS
The results showed that the proportion of variance in disability shared with coping increased over time.


CONCLUSIONS
The importance of coping as an explanatory factor for disability increased during the one year follow-up. Thus, coping has a crucial role for disability. The possibility of a positive long-term outcome could therefore be improved by teaching patients to use active and adaptive coping strategies shortly after an accident.
Söderlund
Anne
A
Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Section of Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. anne.soderlund@pubcare.uu.se
Lindberg
Per
P
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*