Iffat Batool, Muhammad Naveed Riaz, Humaira Yasmin, Muhammad Akram Riaz, Naila Batool.
Buffering role of coping strategies in the relationship between seasonality and winter depression in high and low altitudes of Pakistan.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;57(4):154-9.

Background: The traditional research in Pakistan has excessively focused on major depression. However the present study has examined the predictors and coping of seasonal depression in winter. Thus, it is a unique stance to work on winter depression in low and high altitudes of Pakistan. Objective: The objective was to determine the buffering role of coping strategies between seasonality and winter depression. Subjects and Methods: The study participants comprised of adolescents and adults (n = 500). Seasonal attitude scale, brief cope and personal inventory for seasonal affected disorder and winter depression were major data collection tools. The study was completed in one year. Results: Moderation analysis confirmed the moderating effect of coping strategies between seasonality and symptoms of winter depression. Findings revealed that the effective strategies of coping were problem-focused and emotion-focused coping which proved as protective factors in the seasonality and winter depression relationship. The dysfunctional avoidance yields negative effects when seasonality triggers winter depression. Conclusion: The findings share applied insights to use appropriate coping style for the seasonal individuals to deal with the seasonality-induced symptoms of winter depression.

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