The Relation between Different Aspects of Quality of Life with Coping Style in Adolescents with Thalassemia in Comparison to a Healthy Group

Thalassemia as a chronic disease could affect different aspects of a patient’s life. On the other hand, when encountering the symptoms of a chronic disease as a stressful factor, the coping strategy of the adolescents and their families could have an important role in the quality of life of these patients. The present study was conducted to determine the relation between different aspects of quality of life with coping styles in the adolescents with thalassemia in comparison to a healthy control group.

The present study is a case-control research in 2017. Studied samples were 200 adolescents with thalassemia and healthy adolescents. Data gathering tools were demographic characteristics checklist and the coping style and quality of life questionnaire by the World Health Organization. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 using independent t-test, linear regression and correlation coefficients.

Results of Pearson statistical test showed a significant relation between the total mean score of quality of life and its physical, social and mental aspects with emotion-oriented coping style (p<0.01). Also a direct significant relation was observed between the total mean score of quality of life and its social and physical aspects with problem-oriented coping style(p<0.01).

According to the results of the present study, a significant relation exists between some aspects of quality of life and some of the coping styles in adolescents with thalassemia. Therefore, educating the adolescents and their families for paying attention to the coping style for stressful factors and preparing these adolescents for passing toward the youth period, which could be challenging for them, are highly recommended.