Interpersonal problems, optimism and coping styles among women with conversion disorder: A correlational study

To explore the relationship of interpersonal problems, optimism and coping styles among women with conversion disorder.

The correlational study was conducted from August to October 2017 at different hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised 50 women aged 12-60 years who had been diagnosed with conversion disorder. The translated version of Interpersonal Problem-32, brief version of Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced, and Life Orientation Test-Revised tools were used to collect data and to assess the relationship of optimism, interpersonal problems, optimism and copying styles. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.

Of the 50 women approached, 49(98%) responded on variables questionnaires with a mean age of 24.44±10.29. Among the total, 20(40%) belonged to very low socioeconomic class and 17(34%) belonged to the low socioeconomic class. An inverse relationship was found between the variables of interpersonal problems and optimism (r= -0.067). Self-blaming coping style was significantly correlated with the disorder (r=0.294; p<0.05). Positive relationship was also found between coping by emotional support (r=0.198) and pessimism (r=0.018). Social inhibition had positive correlation with behavioural disengagement (r=0.122).

Social inhibition self-blaming non-adaptive ways, pessimism, optimism and the interpersonal problem of behavioural disengagement were found to be associated with each other among women with conversion disorder.