Coping with Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Self-Efficacy Enhancement and Coping Style

Forty-eight men scheduled for endoscopy were assessed for preferred coping style and assigned to one of four preparation conditions(a) relaxation plus coping self-efficacy (SE) enhancement, (b) relaxation only, (c) procedural information, and (d) no preparation. It was hypothesized that increases in SE would be associated with better behavioral and self-report assessments of coping with endoscopy, and that coping style would moderate effect of SE enhancement. Hypotheses were largely confirmed. Ss in SE enhancement preparation experienced greater increases in coping SE and greater decreases in distress before and during endoscopy than did other Ss. Changes in coping SE were negatively correlated with changes in anticipatory anxiety, and SE ratings were significantly related to distress during endoscopy. Ss classed as monitors fared most poorly with no-preparation, whereas blunters did most poorly with procedural information.