Investigating the relationship between coping, quality of life and depression/anxiety in patients with external fixation devices

SummaryFew studies have explored psychosocial factors affecting depression, anxiety and quality of life (QOL) among adults with external fixation devices (EFDs). This cross-sectional study investigated whether maladaptive and adaptive coping and locus of control predicted these outcomes. Forty-seven participants, recruited from online support groups, completed an 86-item online questionnaire. Maladaptive coping e.g. denial, self-blame, substance-abuse and behavioural disengagement significantly predicted high anxiety and depression and lower psychological and social QOL. Adaptive coping e.g. active-coping and acceptance predicted higher psychological QOL. Results emphasise the importance of supporting EFD patients in developing adaptive coping strategies during, but also after, fixation.