ABSTRACT: -
Background: The pandemic of COVID-19 caused a major threat to the physical and mental health of all people especially those with chronic disease. Therefore, identifying the perceived stress and coping strategies among patients with chronic disease is important to decrease the mental health consequences related to the pandemic. Objective: To explore COVID-19-related stress and coping strategies among adult patients with chronic disease attending Zagazig University Hospitals. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 317 randomly selected adult patients with chronic disease attending Zagazig University Hospitals. The study tool included; A pre-constructed standardized questionnaire composed of socio demographic data, Perceived Stress Scale and Brief COPE Inventory scale questionnaire. Results: 55.2% participants were moderately stressed, 36% were severely stressed, and 8.8% were low stressed. Self -distraction, denial coping, use of emotional support, behavioral disengagement, use of instrumental support, self-blame, humoring and acceptance coping strategies positively predicted the COVID-19-related stress score. While, Positive reframing coping strategy negatively predicted the COVID-19-related stress scores. Conclusion: the majority of the participants suffered from moderate to severe perceived stress levels due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategy types were significantly associated with perceived stress score among adults with chronic disease.
Keywords: COVID-19-related stress, coping strategies, chronic disease, Zagazig University Hospitals