STRESS COPING STRATEGIES IN PATIENTS WITH PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDERS AND THE NURSE'S ROLE IN STRESS REDUCTION

Stress is a significant factor affecting both psychological and physical health, often manifesting as psychosomatic symptoms without a clear organic cause. In hospital inpatient settings, stress-related psychosomatic disorders may complicate treatment, prolong recovery, and worsen health outcomes. However, the integration of stress management into nursing care remains insufficiently developed. The aim of this study was to determine stress coping characteristics among patients with psychosomatic disorders and to evaluate the nurse’s role in reducing patients’ experienced stress. A quantitative descriptive study was conducted using an online questionnaire. The final sample consisted of 332 respondents who had been treated in hospital inpatient departments. Data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15), and an adapted Brief COPE questionnaire, and analyzed using statistical methods. The results showed that psychosomatic symptoms were mostly of low to moderate severity, with fatigue, sleep disturbances, headache, and dizziness being the most common. A significant association was found between higher stress levels and stronger psychosomatic symptom expression. Longer hospitalization was also related to increased symptom severity. Patients emphasized the importance of both personal involvement and nursing support in coping with stress. The nurse’s role was identified as multidimensional, including emotional support, information provision, motivation, and communication. The findings highlight the need for a holistic, patient-centered approach integrating stress management into nursing practice to improve patient outcomes.