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Matching intra-procedural information with coping style reduces psychophysiological arousal in women undergoing colposcopy

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Abstract

This study assessed the combined effects of coping style and intra-procedural information on indices of distress (physiological measures, observed distress, self-report measures of anxiety and affect) among a group of patients undergoing colposcopy. High and low monitors were exposed to one of three interventions: high information (live video feed of colposcopy); low information (complete audiovisual distraction); and control. Results revealed a 2 (monitoring style) × 3 (information level) × 2 (time) interaction for systolic blood pressure (SBP), F(2, 111) = 3.55, p = .032. Among low monitors, patients in the low-information group exhibited significant SBP reductions during colposcopy, while those in the high-information group exhibited SBP increases. Among high monitors, patients in the high-information and control groups exhibited SBP reductions. Further, significant differences in observed signs of distress were found between groups with high monitors in the low-information group faring best overall, F(2, 111) = 4.41, p = .014. These findings indicate that tailoring information to suit individual coping style may maximize the apparent efficacy of interventions aimed at reducing stress during medical examinations.

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Author notes

  1. Susanna Kola

    Present address: Department of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Susanna Kola & Jane C. Walsh

  2. Centre for Research on Occupational and Life Stress, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Brian M. Hughes

  3. Department of Psychology, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

    Siobhán Howard

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  1. Susanna Kola
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  2. Jane C. Walsh
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  3. Brian M. Hughes
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  4. Siobhán Howard
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Correspondence to Susanna Kola.

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Kola, S., Walsh, J.C., Hughes, B.M. et al. Matching intra-procedural information with coping style reduces psychophysiological arousal in women undergoing colposcopy. J Behav Med 36, 401–412 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-012-9435-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-012-9435-z

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