Table 2 Frequency of use of coping strategies by women with symptoms of PPD (n = 385)
Coping strategies | Mean(SD) | Not at all or a little bit | A medium amount | A lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Emotion-focused coping strategies | ||||
I’ve been praying or meditating. | 2.24 (0.83) | 96 (24.9) | 97 (25.2) | 192 (49.9) |
I’ve been trying to find comfort in my religion or spiritual beliefs. | 1.95 (0.87) | 156 (40.5) | 89 (23.1) | 140 (36.4) |
I’ve been getting comfort and understanding from someone. | 1.84 (0.84) | 171 (44.4) | 102 (26.5) | 112 (29.1) |
I’ve been accepting the reality of the fact that it has happened. | 1.48 (0.76) | 261 (67.8) | 61 (15.8) | 63 (16.4) |
I’ve been looking for something good in what is happening. | 1.46 (0.75) | 269 (69.9) | 54 (14) | 62 (16.1) |
I’ve been trying to see it in a different light, to make it seem more positive. | 1.44 (0.74) | 273 (70.9) | 53 (13.8) | 59 (15.3) |
I’ve been learning to live with it. | 1.37 (0.67) | 284 (73.8) | 59 (15.3) | 42 (10.9) |
I’ve been making jokes about it. | 1.10 (0.42) | 361(93.8) | 8(2.1) | 16(4.2) |
I’ve been making fun of the situation. | 1.12 (0.42) | 359(93.2) | 10(2.6) | 16(4.2) |
Problem-focused coping strategies | ||||
I’ve been taking action to try to make the situation better. | 1.79 (0.82) | 178 (46.2) | 109 (28.3) | 98 (25.5) |
I’ve been trying to get advice or help from other people about what to do. | 1.65 (0.82) | 219 (56.9) | 78 (20.3) | 88 (22.9) |
I’ve been concentrating my efforts on doing something about the situation I’m in. | 1.63 (0.80) | 222 (57.7) | 82 (21.3) | 81 (21) |
I’ve been thinking hard about what steps to take. | 1.67 (0.79) | 206 (53.5) | 100 (26) | 79 (20.5) |
I’ve been trying to come up with a strategy about what to do. | 1.62 (0.79) | 221 (57.4) | 88 (22.9) | 76 (19.7) |
I’ve been getting help and advice from other people. | 1.41 (0.71) | 276 (71.7) | 58 (15.1) | 51 (13.2) |
I’ve been getting emotional support from others. | 1.48 (0.78) | 269 (69.9) | 47 (12.2) | 69 (17.9) |
Avoidance/ dysfunctional coping strategies | ||||
I’ve been turning to work or other activities to take my mind off things. | 1.68 (0.87) | 288 (59.2) | 50 (13) | 107 (27.8) |
I’ve been doing something to think about it less, such as going to movies, watching TV, reading, daydreaming, sleeping, or shopping. | 1.73 (0.86) | 207 (53.5) | 73 (19) | 105 (27.3) |
I’ve been saying things to let my unpleasant feelings escape. | 1.52 (0.77) | 250 (64.9) | 68 (17.7) | 67 (17.4) |
I’ve been blaming myself for things that happened. | 1.54 (0.77) | 242 (62.9) | 76 (19.7) | 67 (17.4) |
I’ve been criticizing myself. | 1.51 (0.76) | 253 (65.7) | 67 (17.4) | 65 (16.9) |
I’ve been saying to myself “this isn’t real”. | 1.38 (0.70) | 287 (74.5) | 47 (12.2) | 51 (13.2) |
I’ve been expressing my negative feelings. | 1.37 (0.69 | 291 (75.6) | 45 (11.7) | 49 (12.7) |
I’ve been refusing to believe that it has happened. | 1.34 (0.69) | 300 (77.9) | 37 (9.6) | 48 (12.5) |
I’ve been giving up trying to deal with it. | 1.26 (0.60) | 316(82.1) | 37(9.6) | 32(8.3) |
I’ve been giving up the attempt to cope. | 1.21 (0.55) | 329(85.5) | 30(7.8) | 26(6.8) |
I’ve been using alcohol or other drugs to make myself feel better. | 1.08 (0.37) | 366(95.1) | 6(1.6) | 13(3.4) |
I’ve been using alcohol or other drugs to help me get through it. | 1.06 (0.31) | 369(95.8) | 8(2.1) | 8(2.1) |