Objective: To evaluate factors differentiating positive (good active coping, GAC) from poor (poor active coping, PAC) coping behavior regarding their disease in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients.

Background: In clinical praxis, PD patients seem to have a high variability in coping with their disease without obvious demographical or clinical correlates. The underlying factors are still unclear.

Methods: Seventy nine patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease were distributed in two groups according to their estimations to cope positively with the disease. The two groups were compared according to demographical and clinical data, daily behavior, aspects of coping with chronical illness, personality traits and life-managing attitudes using questionnaires and personal interviews.

Results: The two groups did not differ regarding demographical or clinical data or personality traits. Most aspects of daily behavior and coping with disease strategies were also similar. The GAC group, however, indicated more physical activity than the PAC group, by attending gym groups and walking activities. In addition, the PAC group showed a tendency towards trivialization, which was not found in the GAC group. Most notably, clear differences were observed for the majority of dimensions measuring life-managing attitudes. Although both groups showed sufficient self-awareness and self-distance the GAC group specified more competence in establishing emotional relationships, recognizing opportunities for action and decision making and taking responsibility. Overall patients of the GAC group showed more personal competence for their life than those of the PAC group.

Conclusions: Basic attitudes to organize and manage a meaningful life distinguish PD patients with good from those with poor coping behavior. Thus, therapeutic strategies need to include these aspects to enable patients better coping strategies.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/meaningful-life-attitudes-support-positive-coping-in-patients-with-idiopathic-parkinsons-disease/