[Impact of perceived vulnerability on student's coping strategies in stressful situations: an appraisal of health belief model]

Introduction: The recognition of effective psycho-social factors on individual's reaction to stressful situations is very important for management and control of stress in early stages and prevention of its negative consequences. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between perceived vulnerability and coping strategies of students in framework of health belief model

Methods: This study conducted with a survey and cross-sectional method. Data were collected from 373 students of Yazd University, from seven educational groups. These students were selected with random quota sampling. Measuring tools were coping strategies scale and perceived vulnerable scale

Results: There were significant negative correlation between perceived vulnerability and seeking social support [p<.01], problem-focused coping strategies [p<.01], and active coping strategies [p<.01]. Also, there were significant positive correlation between perceived vulnerability and reappraisal/adjustment [p<.01], and emotion-focused coping strategies [p<.01]. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the perceived vulnerability variable explained for%16.6 of the variance in coping strategies

Conclusion: Students with lower levels of perceived vulnerability higher use of problem-focused coping strategies and individuals with higher levels of acute vulnerability using emotion-focused coping strategies

Relationship between perceived social support and risk of postpartum depression disorder

Postpartum depression [PPD] has negative effects on developmental and behavioral functions of newborn, mother-child relationship and mother's health. The etiology of postpartum depression is very complex. Social support is known as a risk factor for postpartum depression. Accordingly the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between social support and its components and incidence of postpartum depression. It was a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 140 mothers at least 5 weeks after their delivery. These mothers had been referred to Shahid Akbary and Shahid Motahhari hospitals in Yazd city to receive postpartum care. Data was collected by Perceived Social Support Scale [PSSS] and Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] and analyzed by SPSS-PC using principal components analysis, zero-rank Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression. The results of the analysis suggest significant negative correlation between postpartum depression and total perceived social support [p < .001], family support [p < .001], significant others' support [p < .001], and friend support [p < .05]. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the socio-demographic variables [Fetus age and sex] in the first model and social component in the second model explained%5.6,%12.6 of the variance of postpartum depression respectively. Lack or insufficiency of social support in postpartum phase can be seen as a strong risk factor for postpartum depression. To prevent negative outcomes of postpartum depressions, encouragement of families, family networks, significant others and friends to support women in their antenatal and postpartum phase is recommended