Reynolds F
Department of Health Studies, Brunel University, Isleworth, Middlesex, UK.
Maturitas. 1999 May 31;32(1):25-32. doi: 10.1016/s0378-5122(99)00017-1.
This questionnaire study compared the patterns of reported coping strategies of women high and low in perceived control over hot flushes.
A volunteer sample of 38 women fully completed a postal questionnaire. Perceived control was measured by a standardised scale (Reynolds F. Maturitas 1997a;27:215-221) and respondents provided qualitative accounts of coping.
Consonant with previous findings that higher perceived control is associated with lower distress, the data indicated that women high in self-rated perceived control tended to describe more numerous coping strategies to manage both the physical and socio-emotional discomfort of flush episodes. Preventive strategies were infrequently adopted in both groups. However, the links between distress, control and coping were complex and subject to several influences. Those feeling low in control tended to report rather more numerous flushes (although the differences did not quite reach significance). Also, qualitative analysis of coping strategies suggested that it is not always coping behaviour per se that differentiates more and less distressed women, but attitudes towards these behaviours. A coping strategy (such as wearing cotton fabrics) that seems satisfactory to one women may fundamentally challenge the body-image of another, increasing distress by making her feel drab and different from her pre-menopausal self. Also, women often make reference to situational influences on their coping choices.
The data support further enquiries into the role of psychological interventions to enhance strategies for coping with hot flushes. Some relationships occur between perceived control and women's reported coping strategies for menopausal hot flushes.
本问卷调查研究比较了潮热感知控制能力高和低的女性所报告的应对策略模式。
38名女性志愿者样本完整填写了邮寄问卷。通过标准化量表（Reynolds F. Maturitas 1997a;27:215 - 221）测量潮热感知控制能力，受访者提供应对策略的定性描述。
与之前较高的潮热感知控制能力与较低的痛苦程度相关的研究结果一致，数据表明，自我评定潮热感知控制能力高的女性倾向于描述更多应对策略，以应对潮热发作带来的身体和社会情感不适。两组中预防性策略的采用频率都较低。然而，痛苦、控制和应对之间的联系很复杂，受到多种因素影响。感觉控制能力低的女性往往报告潮热次数更多（尽管差异未达到显著水平）。此外，应对策略的定性分析表明，区分痛苦程度高和低的女性的并不总是应对行为本身，而是对这些行为的态度。一种应对策略（如穿着棉质衣物）对一名女性来说可能看起来令人满意，但可能从根本上挑战另一名女性的身体形象，使她觉得单调乏味，与绝经前的自己不同，从而增加痛苦。而且，女性经常提到情境对她们应对选择的影响。
数据支持进一步探究心理干预在增强应对潮热策略方面的作用。潮热感知控制能力与女性报告的更年期潮热应对策略之间存在一些关联。
