Behavioral Disengagement Research Articles

"The Ugliness of It Seeps into Me": Experiences of Vicarious Trauma among Female Psychologists Treating Survivors of Sexual Assault.

The current study explores the lived experiences of female psychologists who provide psychological treatment to women survivors of sexual assault. These practitioners are a population of special interest due to the frequency of their exposure to narratives and graphic images of sexual trauma. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 female South African psychologists. The data, which were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological approach, revealed experiences characteristic of vicarious traumatization. Participants reported having an enhanced sense of personal vulnerability to sexual assault and heightened awareness of the betrayals of trust that women experience from male figures, which has led to increased mistrust of men and hypervigilance regarding the safety of their daughters. Internalization of feelings of helplessness experienced by the victim evoked self-blame for practitioners and appraisals of being complicit in abuse. Practitioners also experienced survivor guilt about being spared from harm. Symptoms of intrusive re-experiencing of client trauma and cognitive and behavioral disengagement were evident. These findings have important implications for clinical practice and underscore the necessity for clinicians to cultivate an awareness of the impact of treating sexual trauma and working in ways that are self-protective.

Health related quality of life and perceived social support in French and Lebanese MS patients: A comparative study

BackgroundThe perception of diagnosis announcement, the social support and the coping strategies seem to be determining factors for the quality of life of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, with possible transcultural variations. This study explores these psychosocial dimensions in Lebanese and French MS patients. MethodsFor this cross-sectional multi-center study, 8 questionnaires were used to assess quality of life, family support, coping strategies, mood, fatigue, stress, and hopelessness in MS patients. 7 were translated into Arabic and then back translated into French. These were administered to a group of Lebanese MS patients and compared to an MS sample from France. The data was collected for both populations and analyzed. ResultsA total of 107 patients were included, 46 Lebanese and 61 French. The majority of MS patients were young females with a high level of education, relapsing remitting form of MS and a low level of disability. Both populations exhibited comparable quality of life and answers on the questionnaires regarding mood disorders, hopelessness, and perceived stress. However, the French patients had significantly more fatigue. Perceived social support given by family was considered greater in the French group compared to the Lebanese one. Also, maladaptive coping strategies (such as self-distraction, denial, behavioral disengagement, substance use, self-blame, venting) were used more frequently by the French population compared to the Lebanese, and this correlated with higher anxiety scores. Diagnosis communication was overall brief, informative, and satisfying in both populations. ConclusionThis study highlighted transcultural differences between French and Lebanese MS patients mainly in social support and coping strategies.

Coping and its association with psychological adjustment: Differences between first-, second-, and third-plus generation adolescents.

Adolescents with an immigrant background, whether first-generation (born abroad) or second-generation (at least one parent born abroad), face challenges that could compromise their psychological adjustment compared to their third-plus generation peers. Yet, many are developing positively despite the presence of adversity. To understand what contributes to these adolescents' resilience, it can be useful to study the coping strategies they use. A total of 1036 Canadian secondary school students participated in this quantitative cross-sectional study (Mage = 12.9; 56% females; 26% first-generation; 34% second generation; 39% third-plus generation). Coping strategies (coping orientation to problems experienced inventory) were assessed and their differentiated associations with self-esteem, anxiety (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders), and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) were analyzed through path analysis and invariance testing. First-generation adolescents reported more acceptance/reinterpretation and substance use than second- and third-plus generation adolescents. First- and second-generation adolescents reported using religion more than third-plus generation adolescents. First-generation adolescents used self-distraction more often than second-generation adolescents, who used it more often than third-plus generation. The use of humor was more prevalent in second-generation adolescents compared with their third-plus generation peers. In addition, some associations between coping strategies and psychological adjustment differed across generations. In first-generation adolescents, behavioral disengagement was significantly associated with fewer anxiety symptoms. The same trend was observed in second-generation adolescents who used self-distraction. These avoidant strategies are generally associated with poor psychological adjustment. This study adds new knowledge about differences across generations in the coping strategies used by adolescents to deal with stress. Further practical implications are discussed.

Students’ attitudes and coping strategies relating to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Background: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced most classes at the tertiary education level to be held online or in a digital mode. This study investigates Multimedia University (MMU) students’ attitudes and coping strategies in relation to online learning classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis among students at the MMU campus in Malaysia. Student respondents were chosen using simple random sampling. They answered online surveys developed through Google forms with an appended consent form. Two questions were developed inquiring about students' acceptance of online learning courses to gauge their attitudes. The coping strategies questions were adapted from the Brief-COPE questionnaire with 28 items. There are 14 strategies in the Brief-COPE: self-distraction, active coping, denial, substance use, emotional support, instrumental support, behavioural disengagement, venting, positive reframing, planning, humour, acceptance, religion, and self-blame. We hypothesised that there would be a significant correlation between attitudes and coping strategies among MMU students taking online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: 8 out of 14 coping strategies were significantly correlated with students’ attitudes towards online learning. The study showed that those students with a positive or accepting attitude towards online learning were more likely to use positive coping strategies. Those students with negative, less accepting attitudes towards online learning seemed to use more negative coping strategies. Conclusion: The study focuses on students studying at MMU. Therefore, the outcome cannot be generalised for all university students in Malaysia. The primary goal of the study was to investigate the attitudes and coping strategies of Multimedia University students when confronted with the unexpected outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the study may assist MMU in understanding student behaviour and developing strategies to assist the students.

Cannabis use among U.S. military veterans with subthreshold or threshold posttraumatic stress disorder: Psychiatric comorbidities, functioning, and strategies for coping with posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Cannabis use is common among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, but its impact on psychiatric symptoms and functioning in this population is unclear. To clarify the clinical and functional correlates of cannabis use in individuals with PTSD symptoms, we analyzed data from the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a nationally representative survey of U.S. military veterans. Participants with current subthreshold or full PTSD (N = 608) reported on their past-6-month cannabis use and current psychiatric symptoms, functioning, treatment utilization, and PTSD symptom management strategies. Veterans with subthreshold/full PTSD who used cannabis more than weekly were more likely to screen positive for co-occurring depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than those who did not use cannabis, ORs = 3.4-3.8, or used cannabis less than weekly, ORs = 2.7-3.7. Veterans who used cannabis more than weekly also scored lower in cognitive functioning than veterans with no use, d = 0.25, or infrequent use, d = 0.71, and were substantially more likely to endorse avoidance coping strategies, ORs = 8.2-12.2, including substance use, OR = 4.4, and behavioral disengagement, ORs = 2.7-9.1, to manage PTSD symptoms. Despite more psychiatric and functional problems, veterans with frequent cannabis use were not more likely to engage in mental health treatment, ORs = 0.87-0.99. The results suggest enhanced cannabis use screening, interventions targeting risky use, and strategies promoting treatment engagement may help ameliorate more severe clinical presentations associated with frequent cannabis use among veterans with subthreshold/full PTSD.

Coping Strategies for Stress Used by People Working in Managerial Positions in Schools and Educational Establishments during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Although the ability to deal with stress is one of the key competences of people working in managerial positions in schools and educational establishments, principals in this area are very poorly diagnosed. The aim of this study was to consider the coping strategies used by headmasters and deputy headmasters of schools and educational establishments during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, Mini-COPE was used. The respondents (N = 159) obtained a higher mean for “active coping”, “planning”, “positive reframing”, “acceptance”, “use of instrumental support”, “venting”, and “problem-focused strategies” than the normative value. Compared to deputy headmasters, headmasters obtained higher mean results for “planning” and “religion”, and lower results for “behavioral disengagement”. Respondents with longer job seniority in a managerial position, obtained a higher mean for “use of instrumental support” and lower for “religion”. Compared to respondents employed in private schools, people in the public education sector are more likely to use “behavioral disengagement” and less their “sense of humor”. The respondents working in primary schools scored higher on average for “use of instrumental support” and “problem-focused strategies”. It would be advisable to compare the results with the teachers and the persons holding managerial positions in institutions and organizations not related to education.

Cancer and aging: Reflections for elders- Expressive writing intervention: A pilot study

ObjectivesThe Cancer and Aging: Reflections for Elders Expressive Writing Intervention (CARE-Express) was developed to enhance coping and minimize psychological distress in older adults with cancer. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the feasibility and initial efficacy of CARE-Express. Materials and MethodsSeventy-one distressed older adults (≥70) with cancer were assigned to CARE-Express (n = 41) or the Enhanced Social Work Control (ESWC) arm (n = 30). Participants completed five telephone sessions over seven weeks and were assessed on psychosocial variables at baseline, post-intervention, and four months post study enrollment. Feasibility was assessed by examining rates of eligibility, acceptance, retention, assessment, and fidelity. Initial efficacy was evaluated using standardized effect sizes. ResultsAdequate rates of acceptance (29%), eligibility (66%), retention (90%), assessment (70% at post-intervention, 63% at four month follow-up), and fidelity (97%) were observed. At post-intervention, participants receiving CARE-Express reported less depression compared to ESWC (d = 0.69, p = 0.01) and lower demoralization (d = 0.50, p = 0.06). A small/moderate effect was demonstrated for increased total spirituality scores (d = 0.41, p = 0.07), meaning/peace (d = 0.32, p = 0.20) and faith (d = 0.35, p = 0.07). The CARE-Express group reported greater reductions in behavioral disengagement (d = 0.44, p = 0.06), while ESWC demonstrated a small effect for active coping (d = 0.21, p = 0.31). At four months, differential effects of CARE-Express had attenuated, though small/moderate, effects in favor of CARE-Express remained. ConclusionResults support the feasibility of CARE-Express and its potential positive impact on psychological well-being.Trial registration: Registered at the US National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) #NCT00984321 on September 25, 2009.

Anxiety, attitudes-behaviors, coping styles, and social support among high-risk pregnant women in the late period of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety among high-risk pregnant women in the late period of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and to evaluate the relationship between anxiety levels, attitudes-behaviors, coping styles, and other psychometric parameters. Pregnant women who were followed up in our gynecology outpatient clinic were evaluated during their admissions between November 15, 2020 and February 15, 2021. This cross-sectional study analyzes prospectively collected data from a university hospital. Inclusion criteria were those being at risk of pregnancy and between the age of 18 and 45 years, while exclusion criteria were mental retardation and the presence of serious psychiatric illness. The study included 140 participants. Sociodemographic and pregnant attitudes-behaviors data form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Coping Styles Scale Brief Form (Brief-COPE), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used to collect data. Participants had high anxiety levels (State-STAI: 40.32±9.88; Trait-STAI: 42.71±7.32) and high prevalence of probable clinical anxiety [State-STAI: 84 (60.0%); Trait-STAI: 92 (65.7%)]. The fact concerning the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 to the baby during pregnancy/birth, extent to which coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic prevents regular pregnancy checkups, and family subgroup-Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support predicted state probable clinical anxiety. Use of disinfectants predicted trait probable clinical anxiety. Employment status predicted state/trait probable clinical anxiety. The existence of trait probable clinical anxiety was significantly associated with behavioral disengagement and substance use which are considered ineffective coping styles. Participants without trait probable clinical anxiety had significantly more adopted positive reinterpretation, one of emotion-focused coping styles. Based on our results, the concern of the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 to the babies during pregnancy/birth may be the main factor influencing anxiety among high-risk pregnant women.

The Factor Structure and External Validity of the COPE 60 Inventory in Slovak Translation.

The COPE Inventory (Carver et al., 1989) is the most frequently used measure of coping; yet previous studies examining its factor structure yielded mixed results. The purpose of the current study, therefore, was to validate the factor structure of the COPE Inventory in a representative sample of over 2,000 adults in Slovakia. Our second goal was to evaluate the external validity of the COPE inventory, which has not been done before. Firstly, we performed the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with half of the sample. Subsequently, we performed the confirmatory factor analysis with the second half of the sample. Both factor analyses with 15 factor solutions showed excellent fit with the data. Additionally, we performed a hierarchical factor analysis with fifteen first-order factors (acceptance, active coping, behavioral disengagement, denial, seeking emotional support, humor, seeking instrumental support, mental disengagement, planning, positive reinterpretation, religion, restraint, substance use, suppression of competing activities, and venting) and three second-order factors (active coping, social emotional coping, and avoidance coping) which showed good fit with the data. Moreover, the COPE Inventory’s external validity was evaluated using consensual qualitative research (CQR) analysis on data collected by in-depth interviews. Categories of coping created using CQR corresponded with all COPE first-order factors. Moreover, we identified two additional first-order factors that were not present in the COPE Inventory: self-care and care for others. Our study shows that the Slovak translation of the COPE Inventory is a reliable, externally valid, and well-structured instrument for measuring coping in the Slovak population.

Predictors of traumatic stress in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives. The global pandemic of COVID-19 represents a major stressor in the lives of healthcare professionals. The present study investigated experienced stress and self-reported trauma symptoms among Slovak nurses during the fall of 2020, aiming to describe the extent of experienced stress and trauma, and explain the variation in trauma symptoms using psychosocial predictors.Sample and settings. An online form measuring traumatic stress symptoms, social support, coping strategies, sleep quality and overall experienced stress was distributed among nurses and other healthcare professionals. 565 participants responded between November 12th and December 20th, 2020.Statistical analyses. Several multiple linear regressions with demographic and psychosocial predictors were performed to explain variation in traumatic symptoms.Results. The present data shows that 83% of medical nurses perceived increased stress and more than 62% experienced trauma symptoms. Traumatic symptoms could be partly explained based on the participants’ age, perceived social support, and used coping strategies. Higher social support and strategies of acceptance and positive reframing were related to fewer trauma symptoms, while avoidance strategies, such as self-distraction, self-blame, venting, and behavioral disengagement to more trauma symptoms. In line with the present findings, professional psychosocial support is important to alleviate stress and prevent traumatization in healthcare workers after the COVID-19 crisis.Limitations. Data were collected via an online form, with a sample consisting of mostly nurses and women lacking data on other medical professions and men. Finally, traumatic symptoms develop slowly, therefore it is not possible to measure their recovery at this point.

Self-construal, moral disengagement, and unethical behavior in peer-to-peer accommodation: the moderating role of perceived consumption liquidity

Drawing on moral disengagement theory and liquid consumption theory, this study proposed and tested a conceptual model of guests’ unethical behavior in peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation, an area of concern as the P2P market grows and regulation is insufficient. The moderating role of perceived consumption liquidity and mediating role of moral disengagement in the relationship between self-construal and guests’ unethical behavior was investigated. Using an online survey and a between-subject experiment, this study found that moral disengagement fully mediates the positive effect of independent self-construal and partially mediates the negative effect of interdependent self-construal on guests’ unethical behavior in P2P accommodation. Findings also suggest that perceived consumption liquidity moderates the effect of self-construal on guests’ moral disengagement. The theoretical and practical implications for P2P accommodation are discussed.

Stigma and Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer: Mediation and Moderation Model of Social Support, Sense of Coherence, and Coping Strategies.

ObjectivesThe breast cancer stigma affects Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), while general resilience resources (GRRs), namely, sense of coherence (SOC), social support, and coping skills, are thought to alleviate this effect. The study aimed to explore the mediating/moderation role of GRRs in the relationship between stigma and HRQoL and its dimensions in Iranian patients with breast cancer.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness 8-item version (SSCI-8), SOC-13, Medical Outcome Survey- Social Support Scale (MOS-SSS), Brief COPE, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) were investigated in a convenience sample of Iranian women with confirmed non-metastatic breast cancer. Following the establishment of correlations using Pearson’s correlation, single and parallel mediation analysis and moderation analysis were conducted to determine the extent to which each GRR might be impacted by stigma or decrease the adverse impact of stigma on HRQoL.ResultsAn analysis of 221 women (response rate of 87.5%) with the mean age of 47.14 (9.13) showed that stigma was negatively correlated to all HRQoL’s dimensions (r = −0.27∼0.51, p < 0.05), SOC (r = −0.26∼0.35, p < 0.01), social support (r = −0.23∼0.30, p < 0.01), and the bulk of coping skills. In the single mediation analysis, stigma affected all facets of SOC, all subscales of social support, and positive reframing, which partially reduced breast cancer HRQoL. Stigma affects general HRQoL through damaging meaningfulness, social support (except for tangible), and positive reframing. Meaningfulness was marked as the most impacted GRR in terms of all domains of HRQoL. In parallel mediation, reduced meaningfulness, total social support, and positive reframing were highlighted as the pathways of diminished breast cancer HRQoL. Moderation analysis indicated the higher levels of humor, behavioral disengagement, and use of instrumental support behaviors to be functional in protecting different dimensions of HRQoL, while the results were mixed for venting, especially in patients with mastectomy surgery.ConclusionWhile GRRs may be impacted by stigma, they exert a relatively small protective effect against the impact of stigma on HRQoL. This study provides some novel findings, but longitudinal studies are needed to further verify these before any causal conclusion or recommendations for health policy can be drawn.

The effect of self-regulated writing strategies on students’ L2 writing engagement and disengagement behaviors

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is a topic of increasing interest in the field of language learning and instruction. In this study, we set out to investigate the relationship between students' use of SRL strategies in second language (L2) writing, their L2 writing engagement, and L2 writing procrastination. Data were collected from college students in mainland China (N = 816) related to their SRL strategy use, L2 writing engagement, and L2 writing procrastination. SRL strategy use for L2 writing was found to be an important predictor of student engagement in their writing class, and results from mediation analyses confirmed a full mediation effect from students' SRL strategy use to L2 writing procrastination through their engagement in L2 writing class. Student engagement in L2 writing class also significantly and negatively predicted students' procrastination in L2 writing. These findings suggest that the use of SRL strategies functions as an important antecedent to student engagement in their writing class, and that these jointly reduce student procrastination in L2 writing. Given the essential role SRL strategy use plays in student engagement in L2 writing classrooms, which in turn reduces student writing procrastination, we discuss the importance of explicitly supporting students’ SRL strategy use.

A Multivariate Analysis of Depression Prevalence in Psoriasis Patients: A Cohort Study.

The literature reported higher depression rates in psoriasis patients compared to the general population. Our study aimed to verify whether variability in depression prevalence was due to using different diagnostic tools. We also aimed to determine whether dysfunctional coping strategies might increase the depression burden. We assessed psoriasis severity by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and PSOdisk. We analyzed mental alterations of 120 outpatients by Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scales (HAM-D and HAM-A), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), plus coping strategies and quality of life by Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). We divided our cohort into five subgroups from minimal to severe psoriasis using the PSOdisk total score. Depression prevalence varied according to the assessment criteria for specificity, frequency, and severity. Different mood disorders other than major depression emerged when we used DSM-IV-TR criteria. Correlation analysis of the criteria we used to diagnose depression or depressed mood indicated that a dysfunctional coping strategy was highly and positively correlated only in patients of the severe subgroup. Differently, a negative correlation emerged between the SF-36 Mental Summary Component (MSC) and behavioral disengagement, thus suggesting that psychopathological distress might induce patients with a marked/severe psoriasis to adopt dysfunctional coping strategies. Dermatologists are fundamental in detecting comorbid depression, referring psoriasis patients to mental health specialists to achieve adequate treatments, and preventing suicide risk.

Perceived stress, sources of stress and coping strategies among undergraduate medical students of Nepal: a cross-sectional study

Background: Medical students are subjected to various stressors throughout their training, which has a considerable impact on their physical and mental health. Some students have positive ways of coping, while others take to maladaptive coping measures. This study aims to assess severity, sources of stress, and coping strategies among medical students of a non-Western low-income country from South Asia. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was carried out. Demographic variables were collected and stress level was assessed using PSS 14 (Perceived Stress Scale 14). The sources of stress were assessed using MSSQ (Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire) and coping strategies were evaluated using the Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced 28. Results: The response rate was 95%. The mean PSS score was 27.85. Overall, 55% of students were stressed (male 52%, female 60%), the difference among gender was not significant. Basic science students perceived higher levels of stress than clinical clerkship students. Academic related stressors caused higher stress, whereas other variables caused moderate stress. The major stressors were examinations, inadequate time to study, poor marks, extensive amount of learning content, and the need to performing well in the exam. The five most common coping strategies used were active coping, acceptance, planning, self-distraction, and instrumental support. The least common coping mechanism was substance use. All MSSQ domains positively correlated with the total PSS score. Students with higher PSS scores were likely to use behavioral disengagement, venting, and self-blame as the primary coping strategies. Conclusions: Stress level among the medical students is high and mainly in relation to academia. Inadequate guidance from teachers contributed significantly. Stressed students were likely to use maladaptive coping strategies. Strategies to enhance teacher-student communication and adaptive coping measures should be implemented. Further studies should be done to evaluate the effects of stress on the academic outcomes of students.

Effects of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Its Relationship With Death Attitudes and Coping Styles Among Hungarian, Norwegian, and Turkish Psychology Students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate mental effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its relationship with death attitudes and coping styles among Hungarian, Norwegian, and Turkish psychology students. A total of 388 participants from Hungary (N = 122, 31.4%), Norway (N = 96, 24.7%), and Turkey (N = 170, 43.8%) were recruited during the pandemic. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, the Carver Brief COPE Inventory, and the Death Attitude Profile-Revised were used. The results indicated that escape acceptance might be the most maladaptive death attitude during COVID-19, as it was related to poorer mental health among the Hungarian, Norwegian, and Turkish psychology students. Self-blame, behavioral disengagement, self-distraction, and substance use coping styles were also related to poorer mental health, whereas positive-reframing (only among the Hungarian and Turkish participants) and humor (only among the Norwegian participants) were related to better mental health among our sample in the context of COVID-19. The findings implied that death attitudes and coping styles may differ in their efficacy among the Hungarian, Norwegian, and Turkish participants. These differences were discussed in detail in the discussion part. During the pandemic, practitioners might pay closer attention to patients with higher escape acceptance death attitude and patients who use dysfunctional coping styles. Additionally, patients can be encouraged to use techniques involving positive reframing and humor coping styles.

Coping with Stress During the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic by Polish University Students: Strategies, Structure, and Relation to Psychological Well-Being.

PurposeThe aim of the study was to establish a hierarchy of strategies and the structure of copIng with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic by university students and the relationship between coping strategies and psychological well-being.Participants and MethodsAn exploratory study was conducted using a cross-sectional research design. The study involved 1330 university students, aged 18 to 30 years. The Brief COPE Scale, being the Polish adaptation by Juczyński and Ogińska-Bulik, and the short version of the Psychological General Well-Being Index (authors’ adaptation) were used.ResultsAcceptance, doing something else, active coping, and physical activity were the most commonly used strategies for coping with stress during the second wave of the pandemic. Substance use, denial, and behavioral disengagement were lowest in the hierarchy of coping strategies. Female and master’s students used a variety of strategies more than male and bachelor’s students. Coping strategies correlated significantly with psychological well-being. Four second-degree factors were distinguished, explaining 55.1% of the total variation: maladaptive coping, coping by support, by positive reappraisal, and by action. Stepwise regression analysis confirmed the importance of the second-degree factors as predictors of psychological well-being.ConclusionOur findings show that young adults studying at the university of physical Education in Poland used adaptive strategies to cope with stress during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gender differences in coping with pandemic stress are similar to those found in previous studies. The structure of coping with pandemic stress is to some extent similar, but also partially dependent on various cultural factors.

Lockdown Impact on Stress, Coping Strategies, and Substance Use in Teenagers.

BackgroundIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the French government took many measures, the most notable of which was a national lockdown on 17 March 2020. Its effects have been widely studied, but to our knowledge, no study has sought to determine how adolescents have adapted to cope with this situation. The present study set out to explore teenagers' stress levels, coping strategies, and substance use during this period.MethodsThis paper is a cross-sectional study that rides on an existing prevention program interviewed 348 French middle school students (209 girls and 139 boys) in grade 8 (Mage = 13.45; SDage = 0.54) using an online questionnaire between March 17 and May 11, 2020 (COVID-19 lockdown). The study examined the teenagers' perceived stress, coping strategies they had used, including recent use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis, during COVID-19 lockdown.ResultsTeenagers reported lower perceived stress during lockdown than usually, with a significant decrease for girls. Those who perceived the least social support reported the highest levels of stress. The strategies of planning, behavioral disengagement, self-distraction, positive reframing, acceptance, and religion were used more than usual, while active coping and self-blame were used less. Acceptance was the most often used strategy and a source of decreased stress during lockdown. A significant decrease in recent tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use was also observed.ConclusionChanges in the use of coping strategies, withdrawal from the stressful school environment, and greater exposure to parents than to peers caused adolescents to be less stressed and to decrease their substance use during the lockdown.

Coping and guilt in informal caregivers: a predictive model based on structural equations

ABSTRACT Caregivers experience great stress, and coping can be one of the factors, which determine the extent of stress. The aim of the present paper is to analyze the effects of coping strategies on distress of the older adult’s caregiver, including guilt as a mediating factor in those maladaptive strategies. The sample consisted of 201 informal caregivers of institutionalized older adults. The three constructs measured were: stress, guilt, and coping strategies. Results showed that strategies that have a better ability to reduce stress are active, positive reframing and acceptance; on the contrary, behavioral disengagement, self-distraction, self-blame and venting positively predicted the feeling of guilt that facilitated the perception of stress. Given the important association obtained between the experience of guilt and psychological distress in caregivers, it could be relevant to develop psychoeducational interventions with caregivers including techniques to reduce this feeling of guilt and develop cognitive behavioral strategies that facilitate adaptation.

Focus on and venting of negative emotion mediates the 18-year bi-directional relations between major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder diagnoses

BackgroundMyriad emotion regulation and coping theories have proposed that avoidant/emotion-oriented coping is a cause and consequence of anxiety and depression. However, few studies have investigated potential mechanisms underlying the prospective anxiety-depression disorder relation. The current study examined various coping strategies (i.e., denial, focus on and venting of emotion (FOAVE), and behavioral disengagement) as potential longitudinal mediators between generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). MethodsIn a nationally representative sample of adults (N = 3,294), MDD and GAD were assessed at Time 1 (T1) and Time 3 (T3) (Composite International Diagnostic Interview – Short-Form), and avoidant coping strategies (denial, behavioral disengagement, and FOAVE) were measured at Time 2 (T2) (Coping Questionnaire). Assessments occurred over 18 years, each spaced approximately 9 years apart. Structural equation modeling mediation analyses examined whether T1 MDD predicted T3 GAD (and vice versa), and if T2 avoidant coping mediated these relations, above and beyond baseline comorbidity. ResultsFOAVE mediated the T1 MDD–T3 GAD association, and vice versa. Presence of T1 MDD and GAD predicted more T2 FOAVE, and greater T2 FOAVE forecasted T3 MDD and GAD, accounting for 16–21% of the longitudinal MDD-GAD relations. However, behavioral disengagement and denial did not mediate the prospective MDD-GAD relations. Also, T1 MDD and GAD forecasted greater T2 behavioral disengagement. ConclusionsThe use of FOAVE, may be a mechanism by which MDD earlier in life may lead to GAD 18 years later, and vice versa. Theoretical and potential clinical implications are discussed.