Table 3 Frequency of 28 items coping strategies among participants with physical disabilities for psychological distress symptoms at the University of Gondar northwest Ethiopia, 2021 (N = 93)

Problem focused coping strategies

11.46(3.26)

Thinking hard about what steps to take

2.13(0.78)

6(6.5)

5(5.4)

53(57)

29(31.2)

Trying to come up with a strategy

2.00(0.86)

1(1.1)

31(33.3)

28(30.1)

33(35.5)

Trying to get advice or help from other people about what to do

1.41(1.20)

27(29)

29(31.2)

9(9.7)

28(30.1)

Taking action to make the situation better

0.43(0.76)

64(68.8)

22(23.7)

3(3.2)

4(4.3)

Getting help from other people

2.15(1.04)

6(6.5)

26(28)

9(9.7)

52(55.9)

Concentrating my efforts on doing something about the situation I’m in

1.44(1.23)

28(30.1)

27(29)

7(7.5)

31(33.3)

Getting emotional support from others

2.00(0.89)

3(3.2)

27(29)

30(32.3)

33(35.5)

Emotion focused coping strategies

13.61(5)

Trying to find comfort in spiritual beliefs

1.20(0.97)

28(30.1)

26(28)

31(33.3)

8(8.6)

Praying or meditating

1.65(1.07)

11(11.8)

42(45.2)

9(9.7)

31(33.3)

Looking for something good

1.12(0.91)

30(32.3)

26(28)

33(35.5)

4(4.3)

Accepting the reality of the fact

0.38(0.64)

65(69.9)

22(23.7)

5(5.4)

1(1.1)

Getting comfort and understanding

1.41(0.73)

8(8.86)

46(49.5)

32(34.4)

7(7.5)

Trying to see it in a different light to make it seem more positive

1.66(0.71)

6(6.5)

27(29)

53(57)

7(7.5)

Learning to live with it

1.77(0.96)

3(3.2)

46(49.5)

13(14)

31(33.3)

Making jokes about it

1.51(0.75)

4(4.3)

48(51.6)

31(33.3)

10(10.8)

Making fun of the situation

0.60(0.83)

54(58.1)

26(28)

9(9.7)

4(4.3)

Avoidance coping strategies

15.28(4.53)

Watching TV, reading, daydreaming, or sleeping to think less

1.65(1.22)

29(31.2)

4(4.3)

31(33.3)

29(31.2)

Turning to work or other activities to take my mind of things

0.57(0.83)

56(60.2)

26(28)

6(6.5)

5(5.4)

Expressing my negative feelings

1.71(0.75)

5(5.4)

28(30.1)

49(52.7)

11(11.8)

Saying things to let my unpleasant feelings escape

1.75(1.07)

5(5.4)

46(49.5)

9(9.7)

33(35.5)

Saying to myself “this isn’t real

0.91(0.81)

29(31.2)

49(52.7)

9(9.7)

6(6.5)

Giving up trying to deal with it

2.32(0.97)

3(3.2)

24(25.8)

6(6.5)

60(64.5)

Giving up the attempt to cope

1.69(0.96)

4(4.3)

49(52.7)

12(12.9)

28(30.1

Refusing to believe that it has happened

1.02(0.82)

23(24.7)

52(55.9)

11(11.8)

7(7.5)

Blaming myself for things

1.53(0.73)

3(3.2)

48(51.6)

32(34.4)

10(10.8)

Criticizing myself

1.72(1.20)

24(25.8)

8(8.6)

27(29)

34(36.6)

Using alcohol to help me get through it

2.24(1.01)

5(5.4)

24(25.8)

8(8.6)

56(60.2)

Using alcohol to make myself feel better

1.15(0.91)

29(31.2)

24(25.8)

37(39.8)

3(3.2)