Psychological functioning during the COVID-19 lockdown: The role of exposure to continuous traumatic stress in conflict-ridden regions.

Abstract

The present study investigates the role of two risk factors (exposure to continuous traumatic stress and unemployment) and two psychological stress-related factors (resilience and coping) on individuals' emotional state during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. The data were collected using online questionnaire from 778 individuals in April 2020 during Israel's first lockdown. Israeli citizens who had been exposed for many years to recurrent missile attacks (n = 379) reported higher rates of anxiety and stress following the COVID-19 lockdown and lower rates of resilience, compared with those residing in regions not exposed to missile attacks. During the lockdown, unemployed participants (n = 416), in comparison with working respondents, reported more depression and stress, lower resilience, and greater use of behavioral and mental disengagement coping strategies. The results showed that resilience (beta = -.38, p < .001) is associated with lower depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas the more frequent use of disengagement coping (beta = .31, p < .001) is associated with higher depression, anxiety, and stress. Furthermore, resilience was shown to moderate the association between disengagement coping and emotional state. Findings suggest that exposure to continuous traumatic stress and unemployment may comprise potential risk factors for psychological difficulties during COVID-19 lockdown, whereas resilience and applying less disengagement coping can be considered protective factors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement The study advances our understanding of how populations with a history of exposure to traumatic stress in conflict-ridden regions approach the COVID-19 crisis emotionally. The findings highlight the risk of continuing stress and unemployment and the protective role of resilience. The study may contribute to the design of interventions tailored to the needs of various vulnerable groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)