Coping styles, social support, and psychiatric symptoms in parents of children with duchenne muscular dystrophy

This study examined the associations between coping styles, perceived social support, and psychiatric symptoms among parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This descriptive, exploratory cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire to collect data on parents’ sociodemographic characteristics, coping styles, perceived social support, and psychiatric symptoms. Measures included a Demographic Information Form, the Stress Coping Styles Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). A total of 139 parents participated (105 mothers and 34 fathers; mean age 37.8 ± 7.05 years). Optimistic coping was negatively correlated with anxiety ( r = − .427), depression ( r = − .370), negative self-concept ( r = − .410), somatization ( r = − .339), and hostility ( r = − .428). Helpless coping was positively correlated with anxiety ( r = .313), depression ( r = .388), and negative self-concept ( r = .327). Higher perceived support from friends and significant others was associated with lower anxiety scores. Optimistic coping was positively associated with perceived support from family, friends, and significant others. In multiple linear regression, optimistic coping was associated with lower depression scores (β = −0.368, p < .001), whereas helpless coping was associated with higher scores (β = 0.304, p < .001). The model, which included coping styles and perceived social support, explained 25.9% of the variance in depression scores. Coping styles and perceived social support were associated with psychiatric symptoms among parents of children with DMD. These findings may inform psychosocial support services, although longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to establish the direction of these associations and evaluate potential benefits.