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Table 4 Coping strategies in patients with UCP. The most frequency items, and items with gender differences.

From: Coping strategies, stress, physical activity and sleep in patients with unexplained chest pain

 

Men (n = 101)

Women (n = 78)

 
 

%

(n)

%

(n)

p-value

CONFRONTIVE COPING (13 itemsa)

     

Most frequent b

     

Think through different ways to manage the situation

92

(91)

100

(72)

0.01

Try to keep the situation under control

95

(92)

93

(65)

0.59

Actively try to change the situation

88

(85)

96

(66)

0.11

Try to look at the problems objectively and see all sides

87

(84)

92

(65)

0.31

Try out different ways of solving the problems

84

(82)

94

(65)

0.05

Try to find out more about the situation

79

(77)

91

(63)

0.04

Significant gender differences b

     

Seek support from family or friends

66

(65)

86

(63)

0.002

EMOTIVE COPING (9 itemsa)

     

Most frequent b

     

Worry

95

(94)

100

(75)

0.05

Get nervous

77

(76)

96

(70)

0.001

Take off by myself, want to be alone

72

(71)

84

(62)

0.06

Significant gender differences b

     

Get angry

50

(50)

72

(52)

0.004

Eat, smoke, chew gum

49

(49)

68

(50)

0.02

PALLIATIVE COPING (14 itemsa)

     

Most frequent b

     

Hope for improvement

93

(92)

96

(71)

0.40

Accept the situation as it is

90

(88)

90

(61)

0.98

Try to put the problems out of my mind

90

(89)

94

(69)

0.27

Laugh it off and think things could have been worse

85

(83)

90

(65)

0.28

Settle for the next best thing to what I really want

74

(72)

80

(55)

0.41

Significant gender differences b

     

Resign because things look hopeless

50

(49)

71

(49)

0.01

Pray and trust in God

34

(34)

44

(32)

0.20

Resign because it is fate

34

(33)

47

(32)

0.08

OTHER (4 itemsa)

     

Cryb

30

(30)

81

(60)

<0.0001

Drink alcoholb

44

(43)

38

(28)

0.43

Meditate, use yoga or other relaxationb

20

(19)

40

(28)

0.004

Take medication to reduce tensionb

18

(18)

19

(14)

0.86

  1. aResponse alternatives: Never, Sometimes, Often, Almost always
  2. bSometimes, Often or almost always