Exploring the factors associated with stress coping in individuals with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study.

Objectives: Stress significantly impacts cognitive decline progression. Exploring coping styles and their underlying driving forces in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is crucial for stress mitigation. This qualitative study explored stress coping mechanisms during cognitive decline and identified key factors influencing coping styles in individuals with MCI. Method: Semi-structured interviews employing purposive and theoretical sampling were conducted with 22 individuals with MCI recruited from a tertiary hospital in Nanjing. Data analysis was implemented through a three-stage coding processes (open, axial, and selective coding) for continuous analysis and comparation, ultimately formulating a conceptual model of the resource-driven stress coping process. Results: Primary factors influencing the varied stress coping of individuals with MCI included personal role mastery (caregiver vs. care receiver), familial relationship tendency (familial alienation vs. intimacy), and social support demand (social needs vs. social barriers). Key findings revealed: (1) Caregiver role persistence linked to positive coping; (2) Family intimacy valuation or seeking correlated with positive coping; and (3) Social needs fulfillment associated with positive coping. Conclusion: This study revealed how internal resources influence stress coping in individuals with MCI, providing key evidence for developing resource-based stress adaptation interventions.