Coping style, social support and psychological distress in the general Chinese population in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic

Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infection caused by novel coronavirus 2019. Many individuals suffered psychological symptoms in the early stage when the epidemic was uncertain. We explored the perceived psychological stress and associated factors in the early stage of COVID-19 epidemic. Method The Perceived Stress Scale, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale and a general information questionnaire were integrated in an on-line survey conducted from February 1, 2020 until February 4, 2020. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore whether coping style, social support or other factors contributed to psychological stress. Results A total of 1638 participants were included, of whom 44.3% showed moderate psychological stress. Individuals who were younger, female, unmarried, spent more time on the disease, felt more concern about it, reported lower social support (Subjective Social support; Objective social support; Utilization social support), or showed a negative coping style were more likely to suffer higher psychological stress in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic. Conclusion Psychological interventions may be targeted to individuals with the risk characteristics identified in this study. It may be helpful to promote social support and positive coping style in the early stage of infectious disease epidemics. This initial evidence from the general Chinese population may be relevant to interventions in other countries for dealing with the COVID-19 and other epidemics.

Download Full-text

Psychological Distress, Social Support, Coping Style, and Perceived Stress Among Medical Staff and Medical Students in the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Epidemic in China

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.664808 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Zhe Li ◽

Xin Yi ◽

Mengting Zhong ◽

Zhixiong Li ◽

Weiyi Xiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Medical Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Medical Staff ◽

Coping Style ◽

Early Stages ◽

Positive Coping ◽

Factors Influencing

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had impact that may contribute to a rise in mental health problems. The present study was aimed to better understand psychological status among medical staff and medical students during the early epidemic and to explore the influence factors of psychological distress.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted online from February 2–14, 2020. We collected general information related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Respondents were assessed using the Kessler-6 Psychological Distress Scale (K6), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ). Stepwise multiple linear regression was performed to identify factors influencing psychological distress.Results: Five hundred and twenty-eight respondents returned valid questionnaires. Medical staff and Medical students scored averages of 6.77 ± 5.04, 15.48 ± 8.66 on the K6, 37.22 ± 11.39, 22.62 ± 11.25 on the SSRS and 18.52 ± 7.54, 28.49 ± 11.17 on the PSS, respectively. Most medical staff (279, 91.77%) and 148 medical students (66.07%) showed a positive coping style. Social support, perceived stress, hours spent watching epidemic-related information per day and frequency of epidemic-related dreams were identified as factors influencing psychological distress among medical staff and medical students. Coping style emerged as a determinant of psychological distress among medical staff.Conclusions: In the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic in China, medical staff and medical students were at moderate to high risk of psychological distress. Our results suggest that psychological interventions designed to strengthen social support, reduce perceived stress and adopt a positive coping style may be effective at improving the mental health of medical staff and medical students.

Download Full-text

Stress and Psychological Distress in Emerging Adulthood: A Gender Analysis

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9092859 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 2859

Author(s):

M. Pilar Matud ◽

Amelia Díaz ◽

Juan Manuel Bethencourt ◽

Ignacio Ibáñez

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Emerging Adulthood ◽

Chronic Stress ◽

Coping Style ◽

Coping Styles ◽

Emerging Adult ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Stress Coping ◽

Emotional Coping

Emerging adulthood is a critical period of life that entails many life transitions in living arrangements, relationships, education and employment, which can generate stress and psychological distress in the emerging adult. The aim of the present study was to assess the relevance of stress, coping styles, self-esteem and perceived social support in the distress of emerging adult women and men. The sample consists of 4816 people (50% females) from the Spanish general population, ranging in age from 18 to 29 years old. All participants were assessed through questionnaires and scales that assess psychological distress, stress, coping styles, self-esteem and social support. Women scored higher than men in psychological distress, chronic stress, minor daily hassles, emotional coping style and social support, whereas men scored higher than women in rational and detachment coping styles and in self-esteem. Psychological distress was significantly predicted in women and men by high emotional coping style, lower self-esteem, high number of life events, and less social support. Another statistically significant predictor in men was less detachment coping style, whereas in women it was high chronic stress. The results of this research are relevant to healthcare professionals interested in improving the mental health of the emerging adult.

Download Full-text

Coping style, social support and psychological distress in the general Chinese population in the early stages of the COVID-2019 epidemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-20397/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hua Yu ◽

Mingli Li ◽

Zhixiong Li ◽

Weiyi Xiang ◽

Yiwen Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

General Population ◽

Coping Style ◽

Psychological Intervention ◽

Mainland China ◽

Psychological Status ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Distress Scale

Abstract BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological status of the general population in mainland China during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to explore the factors influencing psychological distress, in order to provide the basis for further psychological intervention programs.MethodsWe administered three questionnaires on-line to a convenience sample of the general population from different regions of mainland China from February 1 to February 4, 2020. We used the Mandarin versions of the six-item Kessler psychological distress scale (K6), the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). We also collected demographic data and other information related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing psychological distress.ResultsOf 1607 respondents, 1588 returned valid questionnaires and were included in the analysis. Nearly one quarter (22.8%) had high levels of psychological distress (K6 score ≥ 13). Individuals with higher psychological distress spent more time searching for information about COVID-19, had a history of contact with epidemic areas, more frequently adopted a negative coping style, and reported less social support than those with lower psychological distress.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 outbreak in China has a great impact on the mental health status of the general population. Positive coping strategies and increased social support are significantly correlated with decreased psychological distress, and may serve as the basis for psychological interventions.

Download Full-text

The psychological distress and coping styles in the early stages of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic in the general mainland Chinese population: a web-based survey

10.1101/2020.03.27.20045807 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Hui-yao Wang ◽

Qian Xia ◽

Zhen-zhen Xiong ◽

Zhi-xiong Li ◽

Wei-yi Xiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

General Population ◽

Coping Style ◽

Coping Styles ◽

Epidemic Outbreak ◽

Early Stages ◽

History Of ◽

Negative Coping ◽

Media Reports ◽

And Coping

AbstractBackgroundAs the epidemic outbreak of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), general population may experience psychological distress. Evidence has suggested that negative coping styles may be related to subsequent mental illness. Therefore, we investigate the general population’s psychological distress and coping styles in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak.MethodsA cross-sectional battery of surveys was conducted from February 1-4, 2020. The Kessler 6 psychological distress scale, the simplified coping style questionnaire and a general information questionnaire were administered on-line to a convenience sample of 1599 in China. Spearman’s correlation was used to measure the correlations among category variables.ResultsGeneral population’s psychological distress were significant differences based on age, marriage, epidemic contact characteristics, concern with media reports, and perceived impacts of the epidemic outbreak (all p <0.001) except gender (p=0.316). Those with a history of visiting Wuhan and a history of epidemics occurring in the community, more concern with media reports, perceived more severe impacts and negative coping style had a higher level of psychological distress, which was significantly positively correlated with a history of visiting Wuhan (r=0.548, p<0.001), a history of epidemics occurring in the community (r=0.219, p<0.001), and concern with media reports (r=0.192, p<0.001). Coping styles were significantly different across all category variables (all p <0.001), and negatively correlated with other category variables (all p<0.01) except age and marriage. Psychological distress was significantly negatively correlated with the coping style (r=-0.573, p<0.01).ConclusionsIn the early stages of COVID-19, general population with epidemic contact characteristics, excessive concern with media reports, and perceived more severe impacts have higher levels of psychological distress. Psychological distress was significantly negatively correlated with the coping style. Interventions should be implemented early, especially for those population with a high level of psychological distress and/or with a negative coping style.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Time Spent in Prison and Coping Styles on Psychological Distress in Inmates

The Prison Journal ◽

10.1177/0032885520978475 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 101 (1) ◽

pp. 60-79

Author(s):

Riley J. Luke ◽

Michael Daffern ◽

Jason L. Skues ◽

Justin S. Trounson ◽

Jeffrey E. Pfeifer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Young Adult ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Older Adult ◽

Coping Style ◽

Coping Styles ◽

Psychological Treatments ◽

Stressful Experience ◽

And Coping

Imprisonment can be an intensely stressful experience, and efforts to limit distress are critical to prevent adverse events such as suicide. This study examined whether time spent in prison predicted psychological distress in young adult and adult prisoners, and whether coping style moderated this relationship. While time spent in prison was not associated with distress, the use of avoidance coping was associated with higher levels of prisoner distress. Seeking social support was associated with lower levels of distress, but only for older adult prisoners. These results can be drawn upon to guide psychological treatments designed to lessen prisoner distress.

Download Full-text

Impact of Vitamin B6 Status on Psychological Distress in a Longitudinal Study of HIV-1 Infection

The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine ◽

10.2190/7vd8-da67-8t9l-uchl ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 209-222 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Gail Shor-Posner ◽

Daniel Feaster ◽

Nancy T. Blaney ◽

Hugo Rocca ◽

Emilio Mantero-Atienza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Coping Style ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Negative Life Event ◽

Vitamin B ◽

Biochemical Measurements ◽

And Coping ◽

Hiv 1

Objective: Inadequate vitamin B6 status has been associated with altered neuropsychiatric function, possibly through its effect on the metabolism of neurotransmitters, including serotonin (5-HT). The present eighteen month longitudinal study evaluated the relationship between vitamin B6 status and psychological distress in HIV-1 infected individuals, controlling for the influence of negative life events, social support and coping style. Method: Biochemical measurements of nutritional status, and dietary intake evaluations were obtained in HIV-1 seropositive homosexual men, (at baseline: CDC Stages II and III, n = 70; Stage IVA, IVC2 n = 18) at six month intervals. Alterations in nutrient status (e.g., vitamin B6 adequate to inadequate; inadequate to adequate), were compared with changes in psychological distress, measured by the Profile of Mood States, using a multiple regression analysis. Results: A significant decline in psychological distress was demonstrated with normalization of vitamin B6 status from inadequate to adequate status ( p < 0.02). A decrease in psychological distress was also observed with increased tryptophan intake in subjects who were vitamin B6 adequate ( p < 0.02). Conclusions: Significant effects for the nutritional variables remained even when negative life event stressors, social support, and coping style were controlled, suggesting that vitamin B6 status may be an important co-factor in determining level of psychological distress over time in HIV-1 infected individuals.

Download Full-text

Coping style, social support and psychological distress in the general Chinese population in the early stages of the COVID-2019 epidemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-20397/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hua Yu ◽

Mingli Li ◽

Zhixiong Li ◽

Weiyi Xiang ◽

Yiwen Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

General Population ◽

Coping Style ◽

Psychological Intervention ◽

Mainland China ◽

Psychological Status ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Distress Scale

Abstract BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological status of the general population in mainland China during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to explore the factors influencing psychological distress, in order to provide the basis for further psychological intervention programs.MethodsWe administered three questionnaires on-line to a convenience sample of the general population from different regions of mainland China from February 1 to February 4, 2020. We used the Mandarin versions of the six-item Kessler psychological distress scale (K6), the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). We also collected demographic data and other information related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing psychological distress.ResultsOf 1607 respondents, 1588 returned valid questionnaires and were included in the analysis. Nearly one quarter (22.8%) had high levels of psychological distress (K6 score ≥ 13). Individuals with higher psychological distress spent more time searching for information about COVID-19, had a history of contact with epidemic areas, more frequently adopted a negative coping style, and reported less social support than those with lower psychological distress.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 outbreak in China has a great impact on the mental health status of the general population. Positive coping strategies and increased social support are significantly correlated with decreased psychological distress, and may serve as the basis for psychological interventions.

Download Full-text