Assessment of coping strategies associated with syncope in blood donors

Characteristics associated with vasovagal syncope in blood donors were investigated in two studies. An initial goal was to examine the potential role of physical and health variables. The primary goal was to assess coping strategies that might be related to the second phase (i.e., bradycardia; hypotension) of the vasovagal reaction pattern. Findings in both studies revealed that physical characteristics and health variables were unrelated to syncope. Donors who experienced reactions were characterized, however, by fewer prior blood donations and a greater likelihood of previous syncope. Multivariate analysis also indicated that in the context of the variables just noted, reacting donors reported less awareness of anxiety-related physiological cues. Other findings suggested that Suppression, a coping strategy that has been previously associated with heart rate decrease in blood donors, may be linked to syncope. Prospective assessment of coping is suggested for future studies of psychological factors involved in syncope.