Psychological Flexibility, Coping Styles, and Mood Among Individuals With Cystic Fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE

An emerging body of evidence suggests that psychological flexibility may be an important and underexamined determinant of overall psychological functioning. The chronic nature of cystic fibrosis (CF) may require a greater level of flexibility to navigate complex and dynamic health concerns in an increasingly aging population.

METHODS

We examined associations between psychological flexibility, coping styles, psychological grit, and negative affectivity (anxiety and depressive symptoms) from baseline assessments of randomized trials among adults with CF. Regression models controlling for age, sex, income, psychotropic medication use, and pulmonary function were used to characterize associations between psychological flexibility, coping styles, and negative affect.

RESULTS

A total of 124 individuals were included in analyses, 74 (60%) of whom were taking psychotropic medication. Depressive [Beck Depression Inventory-II = 18.6 (SD = 9.9)] and anxious [Beck Anxiety Inventory = 13.8 (SD = 9.3)] symptoms were both elevated. Greater levels of psychological flexibility were associated with lower negative affect, such that individuals reporting less cognitive fusion (B = -0.59, p < .001) and greater psychological acceptance (B = -0.51. p < .001) exhibited lesser levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Psychological flexibility was the most robust correlate of negative affect after accounting for other coping variables (B = -0.50, p < .001), and this association was not moderated by forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological flexibility is robustly associated with decreased negative affect among individuals with CF, independent of background and clinical characteristics.