Objective To explore the potential profile characteristics of dual coping in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its relationship with quality of life.

Methods Using convenience sampling, SLE patients from July 2022 to April 2023 in four tertiary hospitals in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, were recruited as study objects. General information, dual coping status scale, and quality of life were assessed using a general information questionnaire, the Dual Coping Scale, and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey.

Results A total of 296 SLE patients were surveyed, and their dual coping strategies could be categorized into three potential profile groups: "Low Positive Dual Coping" (20.3%), "Moderate Dual Coping-Stable" (39.2%), and "High Dual Coping-High Mutual Coping" (40.5%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that education level, fatigue level, disease duration, and presence of sleep disturbance were influencing factors of dual coping profile categories among SLE patients (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that quality of life was positively correlated with dual coping and its dimensions in SLE patients (P < 0.01). Among the three dual coping profile groups, patients with low positive dual coping had the lowest quality of life scores.

Conclusion There are distinct classification characteristics in the dual coping status of SLE patients, and individualized intervention measures can be formulated based on the characteristics of different profile categories in clinical practice. Low levels of dual coping are significantly associated with reduced quality of life in SLE patients, and healthcare professionals should prioritize patients with high fatigue and poor sleep quality, and actively enhance their dual coping abilities.