Abstract

LIMA, Mayna Ferreira  and  FERREIRA, Cintia Bragheto. Coping strategies of patients with mental disorders. Pesqui. prát. psicossociais [online]. 2018, vol.13, n.2, pp. 1-15. ISSN 1809-8908.

Psychological distress in users of mental health services is a little-studied topic. Therefore, this study aims to identify and describe the coping mechanisms of individuals with mental disorders. To attain this objective, we carried out a qualitative study using the semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews of five users of a Psychosocial Care Center (Caps). Subsequently, the interviews were transcribed and studied exhaustively to identify coping strategies. The results showed that the interviewees used strategies focused on their problems, such as the use of medication and multidisciplinary support. Other strategies focused on the emotions that emerge in an attempt to escape, and a stressor revaluation. Strategies focused on religion and family support were also relevant for most of the respondents. Therefore, we can consider the users as important actors in the construction of therapeutic plans for their mental health care.

Keywords : Patients; Mental health; Coping behavior.

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