The link between food insecurity and psychological distress: The role of stress exposure and coping resources

The global COVID-19 pandemic crisis has caused an unprecedented impact on most areas of people’s lives. Thus, framed within the scope of Existential Positive Psychology (PP2.0), this study aimed at assessing the psychological distress of adults living in Portugal during the first national lockdown, how they are coping with stress, as well to contribute to a deeper understanding about the role that positivity, experiential avoidance, and coping strategies have in psychological distress and well-being. For this purpose, 586 Portuguese adults (73% females) ranging between 18 and 78 years old (M = 38.96, SD = 12.20) completed an online survey during the initial phase of the pandemic crisis in Portugal. Findings suggest that experiential avoidance was the strongest predictor of a negative response (depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and negative emotions), whereas positivity was a better predictor of psychological well-being and lower levels of depression. Additionally, self-blame, behavioral disengagement, and emotional venting were strong risk factors for psychological distress, whereas positive reframing, planning, and acceptance were associated with more positive outcomes. These findings highlight the critical role of experiential avoidance on individuals’ psychological distress and the essential contribution of positive life orientation in promoting flourishing. By offering a better understanding of the complex navigation through the dialectics between positive and negative life features, this study provides important and useful cues for psychological interventions directed at promoting a more positive and adaptive human functioning even through such potential adverse and painful life events.

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Predicting hopelessness and psychological distress: The role of perfectionism and coping.

Journal of Counseling Psychology ◽

10.1037/0022-0167.50.3.362 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 50 (3) ◽

pp. 362-372 ◽

Cited By ~ 83

Author(s):

Rory C. O'Connor ◽

Daryl B. O'Connor

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

And Coping

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Psychological Distress among College Students: Role of Food Insecurity and Other Social Determinants of Mental Health

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17114118 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 4118 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Monideepa B. Becerra ◽

Benjamin J. Becerra

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Students ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Health Status ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Physical Health ◽

Social Determinant ◽

Physical Health Status ◽

Gender Specific

Food insecurity is a major social determinant of health and an assessment of how it may impact college students’ mental health is imperative, as well as differential associations by self-identified gender. A cross-sectional survey was used among college students of a mid-size minority-serving institution with a final sample size of 302 participants aged 18 years or above. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable regressions were conducted, by gender, to assess the role of food insecurity (United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) six-item questionnaire), on mental health outcomes (Kessler-6 scale and self-perception). All the statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS version 24 (IBM, Corp.; Armonk, NY, USA) with an alpha less than 0.05 used to denote significance. Among those with food insecurity, the odds of reporting psychological distress (odds ratio (OR) = 3.645, p < 0.05) and an average to very poor self-perceived mental health status (OR = 2.687, p <0.05) were higher compared to their food-secure counterparts, with the results consistent in a gender-specific analysis as well. Compared to men, however, women had higher odds of psychological distress (OR = 2.280, p < 0.05), as well as reporting average to very poor self-perceived mental health statuses (OR = 2.700, p < 0.05). Among women, any alcohol use in the past 12 months (OR = 2.505, p < 0.05) and a low self-perceived physical health status (OR = 3.601, p < 0.05) were associated with an average to very poor self-perceived mental health status. Among men, a low perceived physical health status was associated with higher odds of psychological distress (OR = 3.477, p < 0.05). The results of our study highlight that food insecurity should be considered a social determinant of mental health wellbeing. In addition, gender-specific trends in mental health highlight the need for targeted interventions for prevention and treatment.

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PTSD and Coping Resources among Survivors of a Kamikaze Attack: The Role of Character Strength

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.95.3f.1163-1171 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 95 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 1163-1171 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Paul J. Chara ◽

Kathleen A. Chara

Keyword(s):

World War Ii ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Rank Order ◽

Coping Resources ◽

World War ◽

Spearman Rank Order Correlation ◽

Character Strength ◽

Okinawa Island ◽

And Coping

33 survivors of the U.S.S. Emmons ( M age = 79.7 yr., SD = 2.3), which was sunk by kamikaze attacks during World War II, were given an adapted form of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist–Civilian and a set of questions regarding 8 coping resources they may have used during the war. Participants were categorized into three groups: those who served on the Emmons at any given time during World War II (Any Service), those who experienced combat while aboard the Emmons or another ship during World War II (Any Combat), and those who were serving on board the Emmons when it was sunk during the battle for Okinawa island (Okinawa). Analyses using a one-tailed Spearman rank-order correlation indicated that scores on only one coping resource, Character Strength, were significantly correlated with lower symptoms of PTSD for all three groups (Any Service: rs = −.46, p < .01; Any Combat: rs = −.47, p < .01; Okinawa: rs = −.45, p < .05). The findings suggest that, for the survivors of the Emmons, psychological qualities, not social influences, were associated with a lower risk for developing PTSD.

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