Adaptive coping strategies among individuals living with long-term chikungunya disease: a qualitative study in Curacao

Conclusion To live with long-term chikungunya disease with dignity in spite of physical pain and discomfort, participants tried to retain a sense of control of oneself and one’s lives, to not let the disease take over, focusing on the positive in their lives, and finding strength and remain hopeful. Interventions such as cognitive–behavioural therapy and mindfulness exercises may be effective in strengthening or regain affected individual’s sense of competence and control by fostering adaptive coping skills and resilience. Subsequently, these interventions may improve health-related quality of life when rheumatic symptoms persist following chikungunya virus infection.
Source: BMJ Open - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Open access, Qualitative research Source Type: research