2025, Vol. 5, Issue 2, Part A

Author(s)
Fiona K Harwood, Oliver J Whitaker and Sophie A McLeod

Abstract
This research explores gender differences in coping mechanisms among patients diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), with a particular focus on how coping strategies impact anxiety severity and functional outcomes. Previous research has suggested that gender plays a significant role in the types of coping strategies employed by individuals with anxiety disorders. The study recruited 200 participants (100 males and 100 females) diagnosed with GAD, who were assessed for coping styles using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) and anxiety severity using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Results revealed that females were significantly more likely to use emotion-focused and avoidance coping strategies compared to males, who predominantly used problem-focused coping. Furthermore, females exhibited higher anxiety severity compared to males, with emotion-focused and avoidance coping showing stronger correlations with anxiety severity in females. Moderation analysis indicated that gender significantly moderated the relationship between coping strategies and anxiety severity, with females showing a stronger correlation between maladaptive coping and anxiety. These findings underscore the importance of gender-sensitive treatment approaches for GAD, suggesting that tailored interventions targeting gender-specific coping styles could lead to more effective management of the disorder. The study advocates for the incorporation of gender-based coping strategy training in therapeutic settings, particularly in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), to enhance treatment outcomes for both male and female patients.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/27891623.2025.v5.i2a.78

Pages: 25-30 | Views: 94 | Downloads: 38