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Xu M, Corbeil T, Bochicchio L, Scheer JR, Wall M, Hughes TL. Childhood sexual abuse, adult sexual assault, revictimization, and coping among sexual minority women. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 151:106721. [PMID: 38479262 PMCID: PMC11104844 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compared with heterosexual women, sexual minority women experience higher rates and greater severity of sexual victimization. Little is known about how childhood sexual abuse (CSA), adult sexual assault (ASA), and revictimization impact coping in this population. Few studies have examined the effects of recency, developmental stage, and revictimization on coping. OBJECTIVE To improve psychosocial outcomes following sexual victimization, it is important to understand whether different patterns of exposure differentially impact coping over time. To do so, we investigated associations between CSA, ASA, and revictimization (both CSA and ASA) and adult sexual minority women's coping strategies. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Data are from a longitudinal community-based sample of 513 sexual minority women of diverse ages and races/ethnicities. METHODS Participants reported CSA ( RESULTS High-risk (i.e., genital penetration) CSA and recent ASA were associated with more avoidant coping (compared to no CSA or no ASA). No interaction between CSA and ASA was found, but history of both CSA and ASA had a stronger effect on avoidant coping than no victimization or CSA only. CONCLUSIONS Although sexual revictimization had a stronger impact on coping than CSA or ASA only, we did not find a synergistic effect (i.e., CSA and ASA may have had stacked independent effects). History of ASA was more strongly associated with coping than CSA. Recency of sexual victimization appears especially salient to coping among sexual minority women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah Xu
- Columbia University, School of Nursing, United States of America.
| | - Thomas Corbeil
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, United States of America
| | | | - Jillian R Scheer
- Syracuse University, Department of Psychology, United States of America
| | - Melanie Wall
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, United States of America
| | - Tonda L Hughes
- Columbia University, School of Nursing, United States of America
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Kampe L, Hörz-Sagstetter S, Bohn J, Remmers C. How personality functioning relates to psychological distress and behavioral attitudes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024:10.1007/s00406-023-01722-7. [PMID: 38183464 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01722-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Functional aspects of personality are crucial for experiencing and handling emotional distress. With the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus and the subsequent installation of mitigation rules of social distancing, severe psycho-social challenges were posed upon people. Research has shown that individuals react differently to these challenges. This study aimed to investigate the role of dimensional aspects of personality during the Covid-19 pandemic. Specifically, we examined how personality functioning, defense mechanisms, and narcissism were related to psychological distress and cognitive and behavioral attitudes towards the rules of social distancing. In a non-clinical sample (N = 254), Level of Personality Functioning Scale, Inventory of Personality Organization, Defense Style Questionnaire, Pathological Narcissism Inventory, and three single questions regarding emotional distress and behavioral attitudes towards the pandemic were used. Structural equation models with reference and residual factors were calculated. Impairments in personality functioning and vulnerable narcissism showed significant positive relationships, adaptive defense mechanisms significant negative relationships with psychological distress during the pandemic. Residual factors for aggression and low moral values showed distinct negative relationships with psychological distress related to social distancing. Among individuals who chose to ignore the rules of social distancing, greater impairment in personality organization was found. Personality functioning may elucidate individual differences in psychological distress and compliance with the mitigation rules during the pandemic. Limitations of measures are carefully considered in all interpretations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Kampe
- Department of Psychological Diagnostics, International Psychoanalytic University Berlin, Stromstrasse 1, 10555, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Susanne Hörz-Sagstetter
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Bohn
- Department of Education and Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carina Remmers
- Department of Psychology, Institute for Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine, HMU Health and Medical University, Potsdam, Germany
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Ding H, Xu Z, Hu W, Guo Y, Wang C, Li S, Hui Z, Wang J, Peng X, Xia W. Changes of stressful life events, coping strategies and mental health among youths in the pre- and post-coronavirus 2019 pandemic era: A cross-sectional study. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:2018-2030. [PMID: 37528555 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231188321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the pandemic era, stressful life events (StressLEv) aggravated the impact on mental health. However, youths exhibited different responses to StressLEv because of diverse coping strategies, social support, and emotional intelligence before and after the pandemic. AIMS To explore the changes in StressLEv and coping strategies before and after the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, as well as report the associations among mental health and related factors in a sample of Chinese youths experiencing the post-pandemic era. METHOD A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted from July 1 to August 30, 2022, covering 3,038 youths aged 14 to 25 in China. Multiple logistic regression was conducted for crude odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted ORs. The relationships between lasso-selected variables was examined using structural equation modeling. RESULTS More StressLEv and limited coping strategies were reported after the pandemic. In the post-pandemic era, BSI-positive youths (youths diagnosed as considered case by Brief Symptom Inventory, BSI) reported more StressLEv (BSI-positive: mean = 75.47; BSI-negative: mean = 28.69), less social support (BSI-positive: mean = 31.81; BSI-negative: mean = 39.22), and lower emotional intelligence (BSI-positive: mean = 75.34; BSI-negative: mean = 89.42). The willingness to engage in mental health counseling (OR: no vs. yes: 1.89; uncertain vs. yes: 4.42), being punished (OR: 1.27), adaptation problems (OR: 1.06), task-oriented coping (OR: 0.95), social diversion coping (OR: 0.90), objective support (OR: 0.90), utilization of social support (OR: 0.81), and regulation of emotion in oneself (OR: 0.94) were associated with mental health. Structural equation modeling supported our theoretical framework. CONCLUSIONS Pandemic-induced mental health problems should not be ignored. The proposed response mechanisms could guide the development of effective interventions, which can help youths better cope with StressLEv and maintain good mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hexiao Ding
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ziruo Xu
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wangjing Hu
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yannan Guo
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Cailing Wang
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Sicheng Li
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhengyang Hui
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xinran Peng
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei Xia
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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Łyś AE, Huflejt-Łukasik M, Gambin M, Studzińska A, Bargiel-Matusiewicz K, Oleksy T, Wnuk A, Pankowski D. Predictors of pretraumatic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290151. [PMID: 37594938 PMCID: PMC10437860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pretraumatic stress has the same symptoms as post-traumatic stress but instead pertains to anticipated threats. There is evidence that pretraumatic stress occurs among soldiers and pregnant people. OBJECTIVE We analyzed correlates of pretraumatic stress concerning the threat of COVID-19 infection. METHOD Our pilot study was cross-sectional (N = 74); our main study was longitudinal and consisted of three waves (N = 1067, N = 894, and N = 752 for Waves 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Our pilot study used correlation and multiple linear regression. Our main study used quadratic regression and a random intercept cross-lagged panel model. RESULTS The pilot study found that pretraumatic stress was positively correlated with agreeableness (r = .24, p < .01) and negatively correlated with emotional stability (r = -.30, p < .01) and intellect/imagination (r = -.37, p < .01). The main study demonstrated that pretraumatic stress was positively correlated with other measures of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and with perceived positive aspects of the pandemic (r = .11, p < .01). There is evidence of a U-shaped relationship between pretraumatic stress and perceived positive aspects of the pandemic. A random intercept cross-lagged panel model analysis demonstrated that pretraumatic stress in Wave 2 was negatively predicted by levels of prosocial behavior in Wave 1 (B = -1.130, p < .01). CONCLUSION Mental health professionals should take into account pretraumatic stress, not only as a possible consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak but more generally as a risk in situations that are new, difficult, and challenging for people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka E. Łyś
- Faculty of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | | | | | - Anna Studzińska
- Toulouse Campus, Icam School of Engineering, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Tomasz Oleksy
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Wnuk
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Pankowski
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Zhou L, Wei L, Chu Y, Xie Q. College Graduates' Negative Life Experiences, Coping Strategies and Enlightenment During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study in China. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:1811-1829. [PMID: 37215701 PMCID: PMC10199699 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s406987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The current study aimed to explore comprehensively college graduates' negative life experiences, coping strategies, and enlightenment in a qualitative way. Methods This was a qualitative study. Purposeful sampling was used to select 31 college graduates majoring in various subjects from a Chinese University. The one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted online through Tencent QQ/WeChat and were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A phenomenological approach was used to guide this research in the data collection and analysis. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes across interviews around their negative life experiences, coping strategies, and enlightenment. Results College graduates' negative life experiences were mainly focused on three aspects: negative work experience (eg, lack of adaptation, busy schedule, low salary), negative personal life experience (eg, multiple pressure, psychological problems, the hardship of life), and negative social life experience (eg, the incomprehension of those around you, complex interpersonal relationship, social complexity). The coping strategies they used can be classified into two categories: emotion-focused strategies (eg, accepting reality, self-persuasion, keeping a positive attitude), and problem-focused strategies (eg, goal-setting, asking for help to solve the problem, persistence). As for life enlightenment, six themes emerged: accept life, strive to life, love life, cherish life, recognize life, and learn to live. Conclusion College graduates' negative experiences came from multiple levels, and they use multiple coping strategies to deal with the challenges. Our results provide important guidance for researchers and policymakers to design effective and targeted intervention programs to improve college graduates' coping abilities in response to negative life experiences and help them better transition from school to work. Specifically, future research and intervention to promote college graduates' mental health should target various social-ecological levels, focus on promoting coping from an ecological perspective, as well as facilitate post-traumatic growth to help them grow from negative life experiences and cope positively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhou
- Department of Health Management, School of Management, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lai Wei
- Department of Health Management, School of Management, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yalin Chu
- Department of Health Management, School of Management, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qinhong Xie
- Center for Mental Health Research, School of Management, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
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Crișan CA, Milhem Z, Stretea R, Hossu RM, Florean IS, Cherecheș RM. Coping Mechanisms during the War in Ukraine: A Cross-Sectional Assessment among Romanian Population. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11101412. [PMID: 37239702 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11101412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
On 24 February 2022, the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, starting a military conflict that soon turned into a full-scale war. The Romanians have been actively involved in helping their neighbors, causing the accumulation of emotional and mental pressure upon the Romanian population exposed to such a close military conflict. This cross-sectional study assessed, through an online survey (1586 adult Romanian residents), the primary coping mechanisms, quality of life and anxiety levels in response to the psychological trauma associated with the Russo-Ukrainian war. Based on the results, focusing on and venting emotions along with behavioral disengagement were the coping strategies that had the strongest negative impact on anxiety and well-being. On the other hand, positive reinterpretation and growth were associated with less anxiety, a higher degree of overall health and better quality of life. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to be performed among the Romanian population so far. Thus, we equip mental health practitioners with the tools (real-life evidence data) that will allow them to establish a more meaningful doctor-patient relationship, maximizing therapy results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cătălina Angela Crișan
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychiatry and Pediatric Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Zaki Milhem
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychiatry and Pediatric Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Roland Stretea
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Ionuț Stelian Florean
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Răzvan Mircea Cherecheș
- RoNeuro Institute, Center for Research and Diagnosis of Neurological Diseases, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Public Health, College of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400591 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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