Comparison of Spiritual Well-Being and Coping Strategies of Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and with Minor General Medical Conditions

The purpose of the present study was to compare the spiritual well-being and coping strategies of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and those with general medical conditions (GMC). The sample was comprised of 40 participants with GAD fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of DSM IV-TR and 50 participants with GMC. The descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and independent sample t test were used for data analysis. The results revealed the significant negative correlation of spiritual wellness with GAD symptoms and positive correlation between spiritual wellness, active practical and religious-focused coping strategies. The independent sample t test showed that spiritual wellness of participants with GMC was higher than participants with GAD. Moreover, out of 13 dimensions of spiritual wellness inventory, the scores of participants with minor general medical conditions in the dimensions of conception of divinity, present centeredness, hope, forgiveness, conscientiousness and spiritual freedom remained significantly higher than those with GAD. The participants with GMC used more active practical coping strategies and religious-focused coping strategies than participants with GAD. There was no difference between two groups of participants in using active distracting coping strategies, while avoidance-focused coping strategies were used by participants with GAD more than those with GMC.