Distribution Of Psychological Distress And Coping Skills Among Women With And Without Pcos: Insights From A Screening Sample

Abstract

As a complex endocrine disorder, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has no less impact on physical health issues than on mental health. This paper sets out to identify and contrast the incidences of psychological distress and coping skills of women with and without PCOS. The researchers used a comparative cross-sectional design in which purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 249 urban women (N = 249) aged between 20 and 39 years in Pakistan (who were selected in the gynecological and diagnostic clinics). Standardized scales were used to measure psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress), coping (problem-and emotion-focused and avoidance) mechanisms. For psychological distress, DASS-21 (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) was used and coping skills were measured using BRIEF-COPE (Carver, 1997). The results indicated that female PCOS patients were characterized by high rates of psychological distress relative to the PCOS counterparts. Also, emotion-focused and avoidance coping were more likely to be used and problem-focused coping was less used. This proves the significance of considering the psychological components of PCOS in the healthcare system and scientific fields of study. It is urgent to implant the screening of mental health into gynecological and endocrinological visits. Further, the findings illustrate the importance of creating integrated Biopsychosocial frameworks and the culture-sensitive interventions that can be used to manage women with PCOS conditions. Healthcare providers would be in a position to play a role towards the provision of more effective and holistic care, which will eventually enhance the quality of life of women living with PCOS upon the identification of the nature of the psychological issues that they experience.