The Mediating Role of Coping Strategies in the relationship between Vertigo Severity and Psychological Distress in Vestibulocochlear Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Tinnitus and vertigo, common symptoms of vestibulocochlear disorders, are frequently associated with heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. However, limited research has explored the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship, particularly the role of coping strategies as mediators. This study aimed to examine the associations among vertigo severity, stress, anxiety, depression, and coping strategies in patients with vestibulocochlear disorders, and to investigate whether coping strategies mediate the relationship between vertigo and psychological distress.

Method: A cross-sectional research design was employed, utilizing a purposive sampling technique to recruit a sample of 202 clinically diagnosed patients experiencing tinnitus and vertigo (M = 46.14 years, SD = 16.64), ranging in age from 18 to 89 years. Participants were selected from Audiology and Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) departments in various hospitals across Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, between January and October 2023. Standardized and validated self-report instruments were administered to assess the severity of vertigo, levels of psychological distress (including stress, anxiety, and depression), and the coping strategies employed by the patients.

Results: The findings of the study demonstrated a significant positive correlation between vertigo severity and psychological distress (i.e., stress, anxiety, and depression) among patients with vestibulocochlear disorders. Furthermore, vertigo severity was positively associated with greater utilization of religious coping strategies. Mediation analysis indicated that specific coping mechanisms particularly emotion-focused coping partially mediated the relationship between vertigo severity and adverse mental health outcomes.

Conclusions: The findings underscore the mediating role of coping strategies in the link between vertigo and psychological distress. These results highlight the importance of incorporating coping-focused psychological interventions to alleviate mental health symptoms in patients with vestibulocochlear disorders.