INFLUENCE OF COPING BEHAVIOUR ON PSYCHOLGICAL DISTRESS AMONG INFORMAL CAREGIVERS OF ORTHOPAEDIC INPATIENTS IN BENUE NORTH WEST- NIGERIA

This study investigated the Influence of Coping Behavior on Psychological Distress among Informal Caregivers of Orthopaedic Inpatients in Benue North West-Nigeria. A cross sectional survey design was adopted for the study. A total of 320 informal caregivers of orthopaedic inpatients consisting of 151 (47 2%) males and 169 (52 8%) females took part in the study. Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI) and Psychological Distress scale were used for data collection. Multiple linear regressions were used to test the research hypothesis. The result from the Hypothesis shows that; there is a significant influence of coping behaviour on psychological distress and its dimensions among informal caregivers of orthopaedic inpatients. Based on these findings the study recommended that, informal caregivers of orthopaedic impatient should be trained and encouraged by qualified clinicians on the use of appropriate adaptive coping behavior to reduce their psychological distress.

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