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Coping with Huntington's Disease in Patients and At-Risk Individuals

Abigail L B Snow1,2, Abagail E Ciriegio1, Kelly H Watson2

  • 1Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.

Journal of Huntington'S Disease
|August 16, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Individuals with Huntington's disease (HD) and those at risk experience stress. Secondary control coping strategies significantly reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Huntington's disease (HD) causes significant stress for patients and at-risk individuals.
  • Limited research exists on coping mechanisms and their link to psychological symptoms in HD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Examine coping strategies used by HD patients and at-risk individuals.
  • Investigate the association between coping strategies and depression/anxiety symptoms using a control-based model.

Main Methods:

  • 49 HD patients and 76 at-risk individuals completed the Responses to Stress Questionnaire - Huntington's Disease Version.
  • Standardized measures assessed depression and anxiety symptoms.
  • Patient health records provided disease characteristic data.

Main Results:

  • Comparable use of primary control, secondary control, and disengagement coping strategies was reported.
  • Secondary control coping was significantly associated with reduced depression and anxiety symptoms in both groups.

Conclusions:

  • Secondary control coping appears beneficial for HD patients and at-risk individuals.
  • Future research should explore longitudinal studies and interventions like cognitive reframing and acceptance for HD families.
Abstract

Keywords:
Huntington diseaseanxietycopingdepression

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