title: Self-reported coping strategies in families of patients in early stages of psychotic disorder: an exploratory study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Coping by families of patients with schizophrenia include 'approach' strategies considered to be adaptive (e.g. reinterpretation) and potentially maladaptive 'avoidant' strategies (denial/disengagement, use of alcohol and drugs). Little is known about coping strategies used by families of individuals with incipient or emergent psychosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-reported coping styles were assessed in family members of 11 ultra high risk and 12 recent-onset psychosis patients, using a modified version of Carver's Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Families reported moderate use of 'approach' coping (e.g. planning, seeking social support, positive reinterpretation, acceptance and turning to religion) and rare use of 'avoidant' coping strategies (denial/disengagement and use of alcohol and drugs).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The greater endorsement of 'approach' coping by these families is consistent with findings for families of first episode psychosis patients, and it is in contrast to more prevalent 'avoidant' coping by families of patients with more chronic psychotic illness. Early intervention could plausibly help families maintain the use of potentially more adaptive 'approach' coping strategies over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, New York University, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gerson
authors.forename: Celine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malaspina
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McGlashan
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Corcoran
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing*; D057566:Self Report