Coping Skills Are Associated With Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity and Somatization in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

In a cross-sectional study of patients with IBS in Sweden, we found associations of levels of coping resources with GI and extraintestinal symptom severity; these associations were mediated by levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Although confirmation in longitudinal studies is needed, this identifies coping as a potential psychological treatment target in IBS.