Coping strategies and associated factors among physically disabled people for psychological distress in Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Coping strategies are frequently used among physically disabled people when they faced with adversities. In low- and middle-income countries are not investigated coping styles among psychological distress disabled individuals, despite a high prevalence of psychological distress. The aim of this study was to identify coping strategies of physically disabled people in Ethiopia to enhance the development of appropriate interventions. Methods: an institution-based cross-sectional study was employed among individuals at the University of Gondar staff and students living with physical disabilities from May to June 2021. All physically disabled staff and students were screened for psychological distress (n=269). The Brief Cope with Problems Experienced (COPE-28) was used to assess coping strategies for psychological distress. Results: In the present study, emotional-focused coping strategies are most frequently used when dealing with psychological distress among physically disabled participants. The most frequently used coping strategy was spirituality coping from emotional-focused subscales. In the multivariate analyses, urban residence and stigma were positively associated with emotion-focused coping strategies, and WHO quality of life (QOL) was positively associated with problem-focused coping sub-scale. Urban residence was negatively associated with dysfunctional coping strategy, but WHO QOL was positively correlated with dysfunctional coping sub-scale. Conclusions: In this study revealed that religion is the most frequently used coping strategy among the study participants. Urban residents, stigma, and WHO QOL were factors significantly correlated with a coping strategy. The Ministry of Education and Ministry of health may find the present findings useful for early detection, prevention, and interventions of coping strategies among physically disabled persons.