Coping strategies and anxiety sensitivity in Meniere's disease

Meniere's disease, an inner ear disorder, is known to cause considerable distress. The aims of this study were to investigate whether coping strategies would predict the perceived handicap from dizziness, reported discomfort from Meniere's disease and anxiety sensitivity. The relations of anxiety sensitivity to the other above variables were also investigated. Fifty Meniere patients participated in the study, completing three standardized questionnaires: the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOCQ), the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Results showed that three coping strategies correlated with perceived functional handicap from dizziness. Escape/Avoidance and Distancing were positively and Self-Controlling negatively related to perceived functional handicap. The coping strategies Accepting Responsibility and Escape/Avoidance were correlated with anxiety sensitivity. Moreover, anxiety sensitivity was correlated with perceived emotional handicap from dizziness and reported discomfort from Meniere's disease. It is suggested that cognitive and behavioural variables should be taken into account in medical management and counselling of Meniere's disease patients.