Relationship between uncertainty in illness, mood state and coping style in patients with temporomandibular disorders

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between uncertainty in illness, mood state and coping style in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in the hospital, in order to identify nursing measures.MethodsChinese versions of the Mishel Uncertainty In Illness Scale (MUIS), Brief Profile Of Mood States (BPOMS) and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ) were used to assess uncertainty in illness, mood state and coping style, respectively, in 126 patients with TMD.ResultsThe total score of uncertainty in illness of the patients was 91.33 ± 16.38, which was at middle level. The total score of mood state was 37.93 ± 17.0. The order of coping style rated from high to low was confrontation (18.81 ± 3.65), avoidance (15.44 ± 4.26) and acceptance (10.41 ± 5.04). Acceptance was positively correlated with uncertainty in illness (r = 0.463, p < 0.001), and mood state (r = 0.187, p < 0.05). Avoidance and confrontation were negatively correlated with uncertainty in illness and mood state (r = −0.286, p < 0.01), (r = −0.175, p < 0.05), (r = −0.171, p < 0.05), (r = −0.221, p < 0.01).ConclusionsBoth uncertainty in illness and mood state were related to coping style. These data suggest that nurses should be trained to offer appropriate guidance to help decrease patients' uncertainty in illness and relieve their negative emotions.