A Comparative Study on Cognitive Failures and Coping Strategies in People with Major Depression Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Comorbidity

The purpose of this study was to compare cognitive failures and coping strategies with stress in patients with Major Depression Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Comorbidity. By Applying post-hoc comparative research method and A sample of 143 participants (50 patients MDD, 43 patients GAD, and 50 patients COM) selected. In order to collect research data these instruments were used: Depression‚ Anxiety‚ Stress Scale, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation (CISS). The data were analyzed by using statistical methods (Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test).The results showed that cognitive failure and its subscales (memory, distractibility and blunder) were more prevalent among COM than MDD and GAD groups. There were no significant differences between total cognitive failure and its subscales among MDD and GAD groups. Also, regarding The Names subscale no difference among three groups was found. The COM group obtained higher scores in other subscales compare to the MDD and GAD and utilizing more emotional oriented coping strategies. There was no difference between major depression and generalized anxiety groups regarding utilization of emotional oriented coping strategies and no difference among three groups in using task-oriented coping strategy. Regarding the differences in subscales and emotional oriented coping strategy among groups, developing a suitable program for clinical intervention may be suggested.