Table 1

Cross-Sectional studies of the relationship between mood disorder and coping style.

Study Controlled = CON
Patients No.
Sex
Men %
Mean
Age
Measures
Results

Billings [16]
1984 CON
424 outpatients
55
41 yr
HDLF
RDC
Coping responses directed toward problem solving and affect regulation were associated with less dysfunction. Emotional discharge responses were linked to greater dysfunction.
Rosenberg [17]
1987 CON
24 inpatients.
36 controls
48
36 yr
BDI
CR
Depressed patients more often reported avoidance strategies to cope and non-depressed utilize active coping techniques
McNaughton [18]
1992 CON
27 inpatients
100
42 yr
RDC, HRDS
LEDS, WCC
The depressed group used more emotion-focused coping than control persons.
Turner [19]
1992
26 outpatients
31
39 yr
BDI
MCI
Significantly positive correlation between high depression scores and emotion oriented coping. Significantly negative correlation between high depression scores and task oriented coping.
Lam [20]
1997
40 bipolar patients
43
44 yr
MRC, IQ
MA, BDI
CPI
Patients' level of social functioning was related to their level of insight and how well they coped with prodromes of mania and whether they could detect prodromes of depression.
Dekker [21]
1999 *
248 outpatients major depression.
42
Ca 35 yr
HDRS
SCL-90
QLDS
UCL
The more depressed patients used passive reaction pattern and avoidance significantly more often than less depressive patients. Passive reaction was the most consistent predictor of high depression score.
Schouws [22]
2001
211 outpatients with major depression.
42
34 yr
DSM-III
HDRS, UCL
SCL-90, QLDS
Active approach and seeking social support associated with a higher quality of life. No gender differences in coping. Avoidance coping was related to higher severity of depression.
Vossler [23]
2001 CON
41 in and out patients, 41 control persons
53
42 yr
SCID
F-SOZU
FKV-LIS
Depressive patients reported more social stress and used ineffective coping strategies and wishful thinking more often than the control persons.
Ravindran [24]
2002 CON
229 dysthymic, major depressive. 44 controls
39
41 yr
HAM-D, BDI
MADRS, CGI, CGIS, DHUS
Among depressive patients the severity of illness was associated with emotion focused coping, whereas control-persons favoured the use of cognitive strategies.
Lam [25]
2003
109 outpatients unipolar
45
44 yr
SCID, HRSD, RSQ
IIP, SPC
Rumination was associated with higher levels of depression. Distraction was associated with lower level of depression.
McWilliams [26]
2003
298 outpatients major depression.
48
43 yr
CISS
NEO-FFI
BDI, STAI-S
Task-oriented and social coping were associated negatively and emotion-oriented coping was associated positively with high scores on depression and anxiety.

* Used a comparison group from another study.

BDI Beck Depression Inventory. Depression Scale. CGIS Clinical Global Impressions Scale. CIDI Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Short Form.

CISS Coping Inventory of Stressful Situations. CPI Coping with Prodromes Interview. CR Coping Response. CSS Coping Strategies Scale.

DSM-IIII Diagnostic and Statistical Questionnaire Manual of Mental Disorders fourth edition. DCS 8 8 Different Coping Strategies. DHUS Daily Hassles and Uplifts Scales.

HPS Hypomanic Personality Scale. HAM-A Hamilton Anxiety Scale. HDLF The Health and Daily Living Form. HRSD Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.

IIP Inventory of Interpersonal Problems. IQ The Insight Questionnaire. LE Life Events over the past year. LEDS Life Events and Difficulties Schedule.

MADRS Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale. MAS The Mania Scale. MCI The Multidimensional Coping Inventory. MRC Social Performance Schedule.

NEO-FFI NEO Five Factor Inventory. QLDS Quality of Life Depression Scale. RCD Research Diagnostic Criteria. RL Recent Life events and Chronic Stress.

RSQ Nolen-Hoeksema Response Styles Questionnaire. SCID Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV SCL-90 Symptom Check List of 90 items.

SPS Social Performance Scale. STAI-S. The State Anxiety Subscale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. UCL Utrecht Coping List. UCLA Loneliness Scale. WCC The Ways of Coping Checklist.

Christensen and Kessing Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health 2005 1:20   doi:10.1186/1745-0179-1-20