Coping mechanisms in short stature youth

Abstract

Coping has been considered an important aspect when dealing with health related problems and challenges, such as chronic diseases. However coping mechanisms in children and adolescents with short stature have not yet been examined thoroughly. This thesis examines the effects of gender, age, diagnosis, treatment status and severity of short stature on coping strategies employed by children and adolescents with short stature (Growth Hormone Deficiency and Idiopathic Short Stature). Coping was assessed using the CODI questionnaire and the coping domain of the QOLISSY questionnaire. In total 137 children and adolescents between 8 and 18 years were examined during the retest phase of the QOLISSY study, which took place in five European countries. In total the highest scores of the CODI questionnaire were shown regarding the strategies Acceptance and Wishful Thinking, indicating a frequent use of these strategies in children and adolescents with short stature in this sample. Emotional Reaction as a coping strategy was used the least. Significant gender differences were found on the Avoidance scale. Age differences were found on every scale, with the exception of the Cognitive-Palliative scale. Significant differences were also noted regarding the type of short stature diagnosed and the treatment status of the children and adolescents. Looking at the severity of short stature there were significant differences on the Wishful Thinking domain. Mild significant correlations were found between the CODI and the QOLISSY Coping questionnaire on the scales except Emotional Reaction. A consolidated view indicates that gender, age, diagnosis, treatment status and severity of short stature effects have to be taken into consideration regarding the use of different coping strategies. Especially age differences should be emphasized and a developmental approach to coping might be considered.