This thesis explored how individuals cope with a neurological movement disorder, specifically Parkinson’s and neck dystonia (ND).
Section one reports on a systematic literature review of quantitative studies exploring relationships between coping strategies and psychosocial outcomes in Parkinson’s. Five databases were searched using keywords related to ‘coping’ and ‘Parkinson’s’, identifying 20 eligible studies. This review found that active coping strategies were associated with better outcomes, whilst passive and emotion-orientated coping were associated with worse outcomes. Some coping strategies were also associated with both better and worse outcomes, depending on the context. These findings have implications for services to tailor psychological interventions to support individuals with Parkinson’s to develop specific coping strategies. As most studies were cross-sectional, future research could explore coping longitudinally.
Section two is a qualitative empirical study using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore how people with ND experience and implement coping strategies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants. Four themes were developed: (1) Living in limbo: dealing with uncertainty on the road to diagnosis; (2) Balancing body and mind: Coping with the physical and psychological difficulties of ND; (3) Navigating visibility, stigma, and support in a social world; and (4) Moving forward – acceptance, self-compassion, and finding purpose. The findings present coping as complex and context-dependent, with some coping strategies having more than one function. This study has important implications for psychological interventions and clinical services providing support to people with ND. Future studies would benefit from a longitudinal design to explore how coping develops over time in people with ND.
Section three critically appraises the research project and includes reflections on the process, epistemological stance, challenges, implications and personal position.