A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Coping Strategies Among Female Physiotherapists Working in Clinical and Academic Settings

Background: Female physiotherapists experience sustained occupational stress due to physical workload, emotional engagement with patients, and competing personal responsibilities. Coping strategies play a central role in determining psychological well-being and occupational sustainability. Objective: To assess adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies among female physiotherapists and examine their relevance to occupational health. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using the Brief COPE inventory. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize coping patterns. Results: Adaptive coping strategies such as active coping and planning were commonly used; however, maladaptive strategies including behavioral disengagement and self-blame were also reported. Conclusion: Although adaptive coping predominates, the presence of maladaptive strategies highlights the need for structured psychological and organizational support to promote longterm professional well-being.