Relations of Coping Style and Illness Variables in Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

The relationships of illness variables (demographic, illness-quality, treatment, lifestyle, and interpersonal) to the eight coping styles as measured by the Millon Behavioral Health Inventory were investigated in 38 adult patients with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon, to identify coping styles important in managing this condition. Patients with ulcerative colitis were studied because this patient group has not demonstrated a characteristic personality profile and because the nature of the symptoms and disease pattern requires these patients to develop a long-standing coping style. Twelve significant correlations were found and explanations were proposed. The possibility that psychological treatment could alter illness variables and result in a more adaptive coping style was discussed with a suggestion for further investigation.