Is there A Relationship between Coping Styles and the OptimismPessimism Dimension during the Covid 19 Isolation Period?

Abstract

Present research analyzed the relationship between the optimism-pessimism dimension and the coping strategies used in the Covid isolation period, from March to June 2020. Study participants reported higher levels of optimism, compared to pessimism. More optimistic people mostly used problem-oriented coping styles, the most common one being active coping and planning, while more pessimistic people used emotion-oriented ones, the most common one being seeking social-emotional support and emotional discharge. These associations did not show significant differences depending on variables like civil status, living conditions, gender, dependent children, and area of living, indicating either the degree of compliance with the measures imposed by the authorities or the confusion induced by the unique characteristics of the Covid situation. Intriguingly, despite initial assumptions attributing superior adaptive characteristics to men and young people, those who showed a better understanding of the situation were participants around the age of 45, without clear differences between genders, while demographic variables had little or no influence on behaviors during the Covid isolation period. Most of the participants seemed to be in continuous search, being unable to find more adequate personal management strategies in this entire period.