The role of stress and coping strategies in the emergence of asthma, and the moderating effects of gender in this illness

Abstract

It has been suggested that stress and individual's reaction to it, can play an important role in emergence, intensification and maintenance of asthma. The present study investigated the role of stress and coping strategies in the emergence of asthma and the moderating effects of gender in this illness. 40 asthmatic (20 males, 20 females) and 40 normal subjects (20 males, 20 females) participated in this study. The two groups based on demographic variables were matched. Then, they were studied by The Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), Holms-Rahe Life Stress Inventory, and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The results showed that the patients with asthma had higher stress rates in comparison with normal group, and they generally use problem-focused coping strategies less than normal subjects. No differences between men and women were found. It is likely, therefore, the education of appropriate reaction to stress may be effective in the prevention and treatment of asthma. Various approaches to enhance the problem-focused coping styles are discussed. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.