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Schurr T, Frajo-Apor B, Pardeller S, Plattner B, Tutzer F, Schmit A, Conca A, Fronthaler M, Haring C, Holzner B, Huber M, Marksteiner J, Miller C, Perwanger V, Pycha R, Schmidt M, Sperner-Unterweger B, Hofer A. Overcoming times of crisis: unveiling coping strategies and mental health in a transnational general population sample during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:493. [PMID: 39300578 PMCID: PMC11412033 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-02001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unparalleled impact, precipitating not only direct threats to physical health but also widespread economic and psychological challenges. This study aims to explore the dynamics of coping behaviour and psychological distress (PD) across different phases of the pandemic within an adult general population sample, spanning Austria and Italy. METHODS An online questionnaire-based panel study was conducted between 2020 and 2023 including three measurements. We collected data on sociodemographic variables, coping responses (Brief COPE), and PD (Brief-Symptom-Checklist). Statistical analyses were conducted within a linear-mixed-model framework. Multiple imputation and sensitivity analysis were applied to validate the results obtained by complete case analysis. RESULTS The study follows 824 participants and reveals a marginal decrease in overall PD from the first to the second follow-up, particularly in clinically relevant phobic anxiety (35.6% and 34.5% to 25.4%). Most coping behaviours exhibited stable mean-levels with intra-individual variability across the study period. Maladaptive coping strategies were consistently linked to increased PD, whereas adaptive strategies were associated with decreased PD. CONCLUSION Our findings underscore the complex nature of coping behaviours and PD during and after the pandemic, suggesting that while mean-levels of PD and coping responses remained relatively stable, most coping strategies were subject to intra-individual change. Maladaptive strategies were associated with increased PD, pinpointing to the need for interventions that establish the foundation for adaptive coping mechanisms and promote their application. Further research should explore the reciprocal influences of mental health on coping behaviour, incorporating interventional designs to unravel the nuances of these relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Schurr
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Division of Psychiatry I, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Beatrice Frajo-Apor
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Division of Psychiatry I, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Silvia Pardeller
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Division of Psychiatry I, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Barbara Plattner
- Department of Psychiatry, Sanitary Agency of South Tyrol, General Hospital of Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Franziska Tutzer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Division of Psychiatry I, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Anna Schmit
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Division of Psychiatry I, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Andreas Conca
- Department of Psychiatry, Sanitary Agency of South Tyrol, General Hospital of Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Martin Fronthaler
- Sanitary Agency of South Tyrol, Therapy Center Bad Bachgart, Rodengo, Italy
| | - Christian Haring
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy B, State Hospital Hall in Tyrol, Hall in Tyrol, Austria
| | - Bernhard Holzner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Division of Psychiatry I, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Markus Huber
- Department of Psychiatry, Sanitary Agency of South Tyrol, General Hospital of Brunico, Brunico, Italy
| | - Josef Marksteiner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy A, State Hospital Hall in Tyrol, Hall in Tyrol, Austria
| | - Carl Miller
- Department of Psychiatry, County Hospital Kufstein, Kufstein, Austria
| | - Verena Perwanger
- Department of Psychiatry, Sanitary Agency of South Tyrol, General Hospital of Merano, Merano, Italy
| | - Roger Pycha
- Department of Psychiatry, Sanitary Agency of South Tyrol, General Hospital of Bressanone, Bressanone, Italy
| | - Martin Schmidt
- Department of Psychiatry, County Hospital Lienz, Lienz, Austria
| | - Barbara Sperner-Unterweger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Division of Psychiatry II, Medical University Innsbruck, PsychotherapyInnsbruck, Austria
| | - Alex Hofer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Division of Psychiatry I, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
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Sugimoto K, Fukuzawa RK, Togoobaatar G, Park CG, Vonderheid SC. Factors associated with mental health among undergraduate nursing students early in the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative review. Int J Nurs Educ Scholarsh 2023; 20:ijnes-2023-0016. [PMID: 37452685 DOI: 10.1515/ijnes-2023-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to synthesize research findings identifying factors associated with mental health in undergraduate nursing students early in the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Seven electronic databases were searched using key terms and subject headings. JBI Critical Appraisal Checklists were used to evaluate research report quality. RESULTS Among 23 reports (19 quantitative and four qualitative) meeting inclusion criteria, negative emotional responses to COVID-19 (fear of infection, perceived risk, uncertainty about care/future), negative behavioral responses to COVID-19 (eating behaviors, problematic internet use, insomnia), and negative coping strategies were associated with more adverse mental health symptoms. Conversely, social support, professional identity, preventive behaviors, sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE), and positive coping strategies were related to fewer symptoms. CONCLUSIONS During a pandemic, undergraduate nursing students require educational support to promote their ability to avoid severe mental health disorders. Also, educators should strengthen students' professional identity, provide infection prevention knowledge and skills, and supply sufficient PPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Sugimoto
- College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rieko K Fukuzawa
- Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Chang G Park
- College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Positive Psychology in Times of Pandemic-Time Perspective as a Moderator of the Relationship between Resilience and Meaning in Life. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182413340. [PMID: 34948949 PMCID: PMC8707410 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Resilience and meaning in life are significant indicators of psychological well-being and health, which are particularly important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, they have been explored by a growing number of scientists. There has been a research gap, however, that fails to show that time perspectives also have a significant impact on the perception and building of different life aspects. The current study investigated the associations between resilience, time perspectives and meaning in life and examined the moderating role of time perspective in the relationship between resilience and meaning in life. METHODS Participants of this cross-sectional study were 363 adults aged 18-70. Resilience Measurement Scale (SPP-25), the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), and the Purpose in Life Questionnaire (PIL) were used. RESULTS The findings confirmed a positive relationship between resilience, meaning in life, and positive time perspectives (Present Hedonistic and Future) and a negative link with Past Negative and Present Fatalistic perspectives. The linear regression analyses showed that Past Negative and Past Positive perspectives significantly moderated the relationship between resilience and meaning in life. The moderating effect was also confirmed in the case of past time perspectives only. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate the relevance of positive resources, such as resilience and positive perception of the past, in keeping the meaning in life. Understanding the effect of psychological strengths in the context of the pandemic time can be a key to providing intervention and therapeutic services fostering mental health and well-being.
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