GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

This study was to assess the prospects of adaptive coping strategies in the wellbeing of patients in Akwa Ibom State public hospital. A quasi-descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in Akwa Ibom State. The population of the study comprised all patients currently in public hospitals. Stratified sampling technique was used to select 85 male and 135 female patients, making a total of 220 respondents that constituted the sample size used for the study. The Instrument used in this study for data collection was a questionnaire titled: "Adaptive Coping Strategy in the Wellbeing of Patients Questionnaire (ACSWPQ)". Face and content validation of the instrument was carried out by an expert in test, measurement and evaluation from university of Uyo to ensure that the instrument has the accuracy, appropriateness and completeness of the study under consideration. The reliability coefficient obtained was 0.80 and this was high enough to justify the use of the instrument. The researcher subjected the data generated for this study to appropriate statistical techniques such as regression analysis and independent t-test analysis. The test for significance was done at 0.05 alpha levels. The study concluded that adaptive coping strategies helps patient to improve their wellbeing during stressful conditions which could be due to their capacity to handle difficult situations. Adaptive coping strategies are influenced by various factors such as intensity of stress, nature of the stressful life event, personal characteristics such as age, gender, health status, education, religion, marital status sociodemographic, socio-cultural, geographical, and environmental aspects. Adaptive coping strategies benefit or positively affect the wellbeing of patient who adopt the strategies. Examples of these strategies include religious/spiritual coping, exercising, and socializing with friends and family. One of the recommendations made was that medical practitioners should help patient to advocate the adaptive coping strategies in their stressful situation in order to alleviate the negative effects of stress in the life of their wellbeing.

KEYWORDS:            Adaptive Coping Strategies, Wellbeing, Patients, Hospital and Akwa Ibom State