Coping Research Articles

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescents based on Coping Behaviour - Statistical Perspective

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescents based on Coping Behaviour - Statistical Perspective

Substance use and help seeking as coping behaviors among parents and unpaid caregivers of adults in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, caregiving responsibilities may have been associated with increased substance use. Objectives: To characterize substance use to cope with stress and willingness to seek help among (i) parents, (ii) unpaid caregivers of adults, and (iii) parent-caregivers. Methods: Data were analyzed for 10,444 non-probabilistic internet-based survey respondents of the COVID-19 Outbreak Public Evaluation (COPE) initiative (5227 females, 5217 males). Questions included new or increased substance use, substance use in the past 30 days to cope, insomnia, mental health, and willingness to seek help. Results: Nearly 20% of parents and unpaid caregivers of adults each reported new or increased use of substances to cope with stress or emotions; 65.4% of parent-caregivers endorsed this response. Compared to non-caregivers, all caregiver groups had higher odds of new or increased use of substances, with parent-caregivers showing the largest effect size (aOR: 7.19 (5.87–8.83), p < .001). Parent-caregivers had four times the adjusted odds of using drugs other than cannabis (aOR: 4.01 (3.15–5.09), p < .001) compared to non-caregivers. Conclusions: Caregivers may initiate or increase substance use as a coping strategy when under stress. The higher odds of substance use underscores the importance of efforts to screen for sleep disturbances and adverse mental health symptoms, particularly among parent-caregivers. Clinicians may consider asking patients about family situations more broadly to help identify people who may be experiencing stress related to caregiving and, if indicated, offer treatment to potentially alleviate some of the risks.

Coping with climate anxiety: impacts on functioning in Australian adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective Being aware of climatic threats can evoke climate anxiety in youth, wherein young people may draw on coping strategies to manage this experience. To further understand the helpfulness of climate anxiety and coping, this study explored whether these experiences in adolescence are related to adaptive functioning or impairment. Method Australian adolescents aged 12–20 years (n = 261), recruited through social media or school-based participation, completed an online survey. Various cognitive styles of coping and behavioural coping strategies were assessed. Results Several styles of coping were found to be differentially related to functioning. Positive reappraisal of climate change was associated with reduced personal and occupational functional impairment. Meaning-focused reappraisal and pro-environmental coping were positively associated with adaptive functioning (e.g. higher motivation, greater connection to others). In contrast, catastrophising was inversely associated with adaptive functioning. De-emphasising the threat of climate change was related to social functional impairment, but also adaptive functioning. Finally, the more a young person experienced physiological symptoms of climate anxiety, they more they reported personal, occupational and social functional impairment. Conclusions Supporting adolescents as they learn to navigate and cope with climate anxiety, as well as climate change more broadly, may help protect youth wellbeing and functioning long-term.

Exploring the role of orexins in the modulation of social reward

Abstract Rationale positive social interactions are essential for mental health, by offering emotional support, reducing stress levels, and promoting resilience against drugs of abuse effects. However, not all individuals perceive social interaction as rewarding. Objectives the goal of this study was to investigate whether the modulation of the orexin system can shift passive coping and non-social behavior (vulnerable) to active coping and social behavior (resilient). This knowledge is primordial for stress- and addiction-related disorders, and for other psychiatric disorders involving impairment in social interaction. Methods male C57/BL6N mice categorized into social and non-social groups, received injections of SB334867, a selective orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) antagonist, before the conditioning sessions with a male conspecific of the same weight and age. Results our results from the conditioned place preference test (CPP) show that SB334867 has no effect on social preference in non-social mice, but it reduces their stress levels and depression-like behavior. These effects appear to be due to a higher OX1R expression in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a stress-related brain area, of non-social mice compared to their social counterparts. Conclusions these data suggest that the orexin system may be a target to alleviate stress and depression-like behavior in non-social individuals rather than to promote social reward.

Overcoming times of crisis: unveiling coping strategies and mental health in a transnational general population sample during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had an unparalleled impact, precipitating not only direct threats to physical health but also widespread economic and psychological challenges. This study aims to explore the dynamics of coping behaviour and psychological distress (PD) across different phases of the pandemic within an adult general population sample, spanning Austria and Italy.MethodsAn online questionnaire-based panel study was conducted between 2020 and 2023 including three measurements. We collected data on sociodemographic variables, coping responses (Brief COPE), and PD (Brief-Symptom-Checklist). Statistical analyses were conducted within a linear-mixed-model framework. Multiple imputation and sensitivity analysis were applied to validate the results obtained by complete case analysis.ResultsThe study follows 824 participants and reveals a marginal decrease in overall PD from the first to the second follow-up, particularly in clinically relevant phobic anxiety (35.6% and 34.5% to 25.4%). Most coping behaviours exhibited stable mean-levels with intra-individual variability across the study period. Maladaptive coping strategies were consistently linked to increased PD, whereas adaptive strategies were associated with decreased PD.ConclusionOur findings underscore the complex nature of coping behaviours and PD during and after the pandemic, suggesting that while mean-levels of PD and coping responses remained relatively stable, most coping strategies were subject to intra-individual change. Maladaptive strategies were associated with increased PD, pinpointing to the need for interventions that establish the foundation for adaptive coping mechanisms and promote their application. Further research should explore the reciprocal influences of mental health on coping behaviour, incorporating interventional designs to unravel the nuances of these relationships.

Surviving the atrocity: A study of resilience and coping behaviour among Ukrainians during the Russo-Ukrainian war

The study was conducted during the first 8 months of the Russo-Ukrainian war, investigating an interplay of resilience, coping strategies and perceived stress in Ukrainians of various age groups, war experiences and displacement statuses. The study was conducted on the sample of 18–76-year-old Ukrainians ( n = 337) using the COPE, CD-RISC-10 and PSS-14 scales. It aimed to understand how Ukrainians cope with war-stressors and stay resilient. Data analyses, including Bayesian ANOVA, independent samples t-tests, linear regressions and bivariate correlation, were conducted using JASP and IBM SPSS-23. The results of the quantitative study showed that Ukrainians attributed their resilience to perceived self-efficacy, regulating emotions and flexibility. It was also found that the pattern of most and least preferred coping strategies was relatively consistent across all the sample subgroups. Thus, to cope with war, Ukrainians relied on ‘planning’, ‘positive interpretation and growth’, ‘acceptance’ and ‘active coping’ and refrained from ‘behavioural disengagement’, ‘denial’ and ‘substance use’. It was concluded that coping strategies may be significant predictors of Ukrainians’ resilience.

Психометрические показатели шкалы «Проактивные аттитюды» в подростковом возрасте: проверка факторной структуры и внутренней согласованности

&lt;p&gt;This study was carried out as part of the development of psychodiagnostics tools for studying the proactive coping behavior in adolescents. Currently, there are few studies on proactive coping in adolescence, given the variety of studies on general coping behavior in adolescents. The aim of the study was to identify the psychometric properties of R. Schwarzer&amp;rsquo;s &amp;ldquo;Proactive Attitudes&amp;rdquo; scale, including its factor structure, internal consistency and validity, among adolescents. A total sample of 237 participants (117 girls and 120 boys) aged 11&amp;ndash;15 years old (M=13.2; SD=1.41), was used. The scale consists of 8 questions and was designed to assess the level of proactive attitudes towards future events. The scale showed acceptable internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient &amp;alpha;=0.78). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a one-factor structure for the scale (&amp;ldquo;Responsibility and independent choice&amp;rdquo;), using confirmatory factor analysis the one-factor structure of the scale was confirmed (&amp;chi;&amp;sup2;=34.17; CFI=0.959 acceptable, SRMR=0.041; SMSEA=0.069 with 90% confidence interval 0.032&amp;ndash;0.104). The scale demonstrated satisfactory convergent validity. Average scores on the scale are presented, gender differences were not found. The &amp;ldquo;Proactive Attitudes&amp;rdquo; scale can be used as an effective tool for assessing a person&amp;rsquo;s proactive orientation in adolescence, and has acceptable psychometric indicators. The prospect of work should focus on standardizing of the scale for other age groups with different professional and social status, including clinical sample.&lt;/p&gt;

Особенности взаимосвязи регуляции кардиоритма и компонентов внутренней картины болезни у студентов

&lt;p&gt;The work is aimed at identifying the features of the mechanisms of regulation of cardiac rhythm, which determine adaptive behavior in situations of health disorders. Materials from two empirical studies conducted on a sample of 1&lt;sup&gt;st&lt;/sup&gt; to 4&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; year students at Yelets University are presented. The study 1 (N=160) involved respondents aged 17 to 23 years of both sexes, of whom 37.5% had various health problems. In study 2 (N=60), students (average age 21&amp;plusmn;2.3 years), of which 50% belong to the category of chronically ill, 50% had periodic health problems. Study 2 included five stages, in which four levels of the internal picture of the disease (IPD) were diagnosed and cardiac rhythm measurements were performed at rest and against the background of existing disease memories. The following methods were used: SF-36 Health Status Survey, Health, Activity, and Mood questionnaire, SCL-90-R, &amp;ldquo;Coping behavior in stressful situations&amp;rdquo;, &amp;ldquo;Level of subjective control&amp;rdquo;, TATD method. The fixation of the heart rate variability was carried out using the hardware and software complex OMEGA-M. The results obtained allow us to say that there is a correlation between the individual components of IPD and the parameters of regulation of heart rate variability. The optimal state of the body's homeostatic systems, which ensure successful adaptation, is characterized by the activity of the parasympathetic department of autonomic nervous system in the process of cardioregulation.&lt;/p&gt;

Coping With Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.

Compensatory coping, or maladaptive alterations in behavior with the intention of preventing or managing symptoms, is increasingly being explored as a key factor in how people respond to bladder conditions. Preliminary investigations have identified relations between coping behaviors and psychological distress in urologic conditions, including interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). However, previous explorations of coping have not accounted for heterogeneity in coping behaviors or addressed the likelihood that some coping behaviors may be more adaptive than others. This study sought to examine how two specific types of coping behaviors, primary control coping and disengaged coping, are related to distress and symptoms in IC/BPS, and to explore the potential role of pain phenotype in this relationship. A secondary data analysis was conducted with a large community data set (N = 677 women with IC/BPS) and employed descriptive and inferential statistics to characterize coping patterns and explore novel predictors of distress. Results indicated that almost all participants engaged in at least one compensatory coping behavior within the last week. Both types of coping behaviors correlated with psychological symptoms, and when controlling for relevant clinical variables (i.e., age and severity of urinary symptoms), disengaged coping behaviors were significantly associated with psychological distress. Further, the addition of pain phenotype to multiple regression models resulted in a more effective predictive model when considering the relation between coping behaviors and depression. By investigating more deeply the relationship between coping and distress, understanding of potential risk factors and mechanisms is increased, offering valuable insights for intervention strategies for IC/BPS patients.

Depletion of the paternal gut microbiome alters sperm small RNAs and impacts offspring physiology and behavior in mice

The paternal environment prior to conception has been demonstrated to influence offspring physiology and behavior, with the sperm epigenome (including noncoding RNAs) proposed as a potential facilitator of non-genetic inheritance. Whilst the maternal gut microbiome has been established as an important influence on offspring development, the impact of the paternal gut microbiome on offspring development, health and behavior is largely unknown. Gut microbiota have major influences on immunity, and thus we hypothesized that they may be relevant to paternal immune activation (PIA) modulating epigenetic inheritance in mice. Therefore, male C57BL/6J mice (F0) were orally administered non-absorbable antibiotics via drinking water in order to substantially deplete their gut microbiome. Four weeks after administration of the antibiotics (gut microbiome depletion), F0 male mice were then mated with naïve female mice. The F1 offspring of the microbiome-depleted males had reduced body weight as well as altered gut morphology (shortened colon length). F1 females showed significant alterations in affective behaviors, including measures of anxiety and depressive-like behaviors, indicating altered development. Analysis of small noncoding RNAs in the sperm of F0 mice revealed that gut microbiome depletion is associated with differential expression of 8 different PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), each of which has the potential to modulate the expression of multiple downstream gene targets, and thus influence epigenetic inheritance and offspring development. This study demonstrates that the gut-germline axis influences sperm small RNA profiles and offspring physiology, with specific impacts on offspring affective and/or coping behaviors. These findings may have broader implications for other animal species with comparable gut microbiota, intergenerational epigenetics and developmental biology, including humans.

Coping with Social Media Envy in Luxury Consumption: The Role of Social Networking Site Actions

Because social networking sites facilitate social comparison, consumer envy becomes inevitable among social media users. Drawing on social comparison and coping theories, this study examines how different types of envy lead to consumers’ distinct behaviors on social networking sites, some of which are self-directed and focus on self-enhancement, while others are either positive or negative interactions with the envied person. Employing both the contexts of luxury product and service sharing experiences on Instagram, the authors consistently show in four studies that whereas consumers who experience benign envy are more likely to interact with the envied person positively, such as liking the envied person’s posts, those who experience malicious envy are more likely to engage in negative interactions, such as unfollowing the envied person. Benign enviers are more likely to engage in self-enhancement actions on social networking sites, such as posting images/videos more frequently, compared with malicious enviers. When coping with the negative feeling of envy, positive interactions help benign enviers improve their sense of belonging. In contrast, malicious enviers tend to engage in maladaptive coping behaviors, such as engaging in negative interactions with the envied, which may diminish their sense of belonging and lead to negative self-perceptions.

The conditionality of the sovereignty of the psychological space of the individual by coping strategies and mechanisms of psychological protection for people from single-parent and large families

The article presents the results of an empirical study of the relationship between the sovereignty of the psychological space of personality, coping strategies and mechanisms of psychological protection of personality. Respondents who grew up in families with different numbers of children demonstrate the specific features of their coping behaviors and mechanisms of psychological protection in relation to indicators of the sovereignty of the psychological space of the individual.

Parenting stress, dyadic coping and endocrine markers of stress and resilience in foster and biological mothers.

Foster parents have been shown to report higher levels of parenting stress but also more dyadic coping (DC) behaviors in their partnership than biological parents, which might be an important protective factor that helps them cope with daily stressors. Here, we examined how parenting stress and DC are related in foster and biological parents and whether these are reflected in long-term alterations of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis activity. A total of 79 foster mothers and 131 biological mothers participated in a longitudinal study. At the initial assessment, children were aged 2-7 years and lived for an average of 18 months in their current foster family. Mothers' cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentrations and their cortisol/DHEA ratios were assessed in scalp hair twice with approximately 11 months in between, while their perceived parenting stress and DC were measured by self-report questionnaires. Results showed no significant differences between foster mothers and biological mothers in cortisol, DHEA and cortisol/DHEA concentrations. While more DC was longitudinally related to lower levels of parenting stress across both study groups, no significant associations were found to endocrine markers. Thus, these findings indicate that increased parenting stress levels were not, or not strongly, reflected in HPA axis alterations as assessed in hair. Our findings thus add evidence for non-significant associations between self-reported perceived stress and chronic HPA axis markers. Future studies may explore whether early interventions, including those aimed at promoting and maintaining positive DC, are beneficial in preventing the development of stress-related illnesses in foster parents.

Spiritual coping “tri hita karana” and depression prevention behavior among the elderly during the Covid-19 pandemic

The elderly commonly struggle with mental health issues, especially depression. Spiritual coping is one of the factors that might prevent depression. The aim of this study is to investigate cultural involvement in spiritual coping to depression prevention among the Balinese elderly.From January to March 2021, this study was carried out on 273 elderly members of the Integrated Primary Public Health service in seven districts in Gianyar, Bali. The study used a cluster random sampling method to collect data and focused on quantitative measurements related to participant characteristics, depression prevention, and spiritual coping. The investigation into spiritual coping was based on the tri hita karana, a concept from Balinese philosophy. Bivariate analysis was used to assess the relationship between spiritual coping and depression prevention behaviour. The study comprised 146 male and 127 female participants aged between 65 and 79 years old.Among all participants, 190 (69,6%) were diagnosed with mild to moderate depression, while 83 (30,4%) with moderate to severe depression. However, for the majority, depression prevention was good 163 (59,7%), the rest was moderate 103 (37,7%), and poor 7 (2,6%). Tri hita karana spiritual coping for the majority was good 17 (53,8%). Spiritual coping has a strong correlation with depression prevention (r=0.230). Thus, spiritual coping has a strong correlation with depression prevention among the Balinese elderly.It can be concluded that the implementation of tri hita karana becomes a potent spiritual coping enhance depression prevention. Indigenous philosophy embedded in daily life supports social capital in dealing with stress.

Immediate shock and residual stress: Unmasking the dual dynamics of covid-19 on the mental health of health professionals in China.

The pandemic of 2019 has created large scale disruption around the globe. It has posed extraordinary hurdles for Chinese health workers, affecting their mental health with respect to situations in the present as well as the future. Recognising the dynamic features of these mental health issues among health professionals is critical for developing effective support systems. This study aims to explore the dual impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of health professionals in China, both during and after the pandemic; to explore the probable underlying factors causing these mental health issues; to identify both adaptive and maladaptive coping behaviours employed by the health personnel; and to assess the organisational and social support to mitigate the effect of the pandemic on the mental health of the Chinese health professionals. To address these objectives an explorative qualitative research design has been adopted involving analysis of previous researches in the relevant field. The study confirms anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, PTSD, and burnout among medical personnel as immediate shock and residual stress, along with its demographic variations. Few maladaptive coping behaviours have been identified that can lead to delayed psychological effects even after a pandemic. The key findings underscore the complicated interaction of immediate and delayed mental health challenges among health professionals, advocating for the deployment of tailored treatments and policy modifications to address the ever changing needs of this vital workforce.

A salutogenic approach towards children’s overall physical activities, coping behavior and resilience: a mediation analysis

Abstract Aim Physical activity (PA) has many benefits not only for a child’s physical development, but also for mental health and cognitive function which, in turn, results in broader social and environmental benefits. The World Health Organization announced recently that on average, children are not active enough. Following the salutogenic approach of questioning why people stay healthy as opposed to why they become ill, this study aims to examine the effects of overall physical activity (OPA) — including both 'non-sports physical activity' (including 'active play outdoors', 'active play indoors' and 'active mobility') and 'sports' — on children’s resilience and coping behavior. Methods Data was collected from 544 children in an age range of 6–19 years (online survey). Results Results show a two-dimensional construct including a non-sports physical activity dimension and a sports dimension (together, OPA) and the positive effects on children’s mental health. OPA as a concept contributes to the positive development of resilience skills in children. Furthermore, results show that the mediating role of coping behavior is another building block that can be targeted in terms of resilience in children. Conclusion Following the salutogenic approach to physical education and health, we posit that non-sports physical activity dimensions and sports dimensions are fundamental prerequisites for keeping children healthy. The OPA approach reveals joint implication pathways in addition to sport which help to increase children’s resilience.

Embarrassment as a public vs. private emotion and symbolic coping behaviour.

In dealing with embarrassment, individuals engage in symbolic coping behaviours (e.g., hiding one's face by wearing sunglasses). Research investigated these behaviours when embarrassment is experienced as a public emotion (e.g., others present). Contrary, there is emerging evidence showing that embarrassment can be experienced as a private emotion (e.g., no others present) as well. This is why the present research seeks to enhance previous work on symbolic coping behaviours and investigates to what extent symbolic coping behaviours differ when embarrassment is experienced in public and private. First, the present study finds that individuals experience embarrassment as a private as well as a public emotion. Second, both types of embarrassment relate to symbolic coping behaviours. Third, while both types of embarrassment experience a preference for face-hiding products there are differences in symbolic coping behaviours. Fourth, the study transfers extant research to a different cultural context.

Experienced financial toxicity among long-term cancer survivors: results from a national cross-sectional survey.

Financial toxicity, the subjective distress caused by objective financial burden, significantly impacts cancer survivors. Yet, enduring effects on survivors remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the experienced objective financial burden and subjective financial distress in long-term cancer survivors. A cross-sectional nationwide online survey of adult cancer survivors ≥ 5y after diagnosis were analyzed. Objective financial burden was measured via extra expenses and income loss, while subjective financial distress covered psychological well-being, coping and support-seeking behavior, and financial concerns. Groups were compared (i.e., having cancer vs. former patients) by t-tests and chi-squared tests. Financial toxicity was visualized with Sankey plots and sunburst diagrams. 4,675 respondents completed the survey, of whom 2,391 (51%) were ≥ 5y after their cancer diagnosis. Among them, 75% experienced income loss and/or extra expenses after diagnosis. One-third of the previously employed respondents relied on work disability benefits. Further, 'being unable to make ends meet' increased from 2% before diagnosis to 13% ≥ 5y after diagnosis (p < .001). Additionally, 58% reported negative psychological impacts of financial toxicity, and 47% worried about their financial future. Cancer survivors often face income loss and additional expenses, leading to ongoing financial difficulties that affect their psychological well-being. Despite this significant impact, there is a lack of guidance and support to help them manage these financial challenges. These findings highlight the need for healthcare professionals to recognize and address the financial challenges. This study underscores the widespread financial challenges cancer survivors encounter, emphasizing the need for ongoing financial support and comprehensive assessments of their physical and psychological well-being.

Evaluation of stress, bio-psycho-social response and coping strategies during the practical training in nursing students: a cross sectional study

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to identify stress level, bio-psycho-social response and coping behavior of nursing students during the practical training.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th-year nursing students (n = 1181) between September 2018-may 2019. Data was collected using by Socio-Demographic Questionnaire, The Student Nurse Stress Index, The Bio-Psycho-Social Response Scale and Coping Behavior Inventory.ResultsThe fourth-grade nursing students’ stress level was found to be statistically significantly higher than of other graders. Nursing students have shown emotional symptoms and social-behavioral symptoms the most. To cope with stress, nursing students used the strategies transference, staying optimistic, problem-solving and avoidance, respectively.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the need to routinely evaluate nursing students for stress, bio-psycho-social response, and coping strategies during practical training. Thus, counseling units can be constituted by the nursing schools, and nursing students who have higher stress levels and inadequate coping strategies benefit from these units.

Coping behaviors to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms: A prospective repeated assessment study

IntroductionHealth institutions provide general recommendations to cope with global crises such as pandemics or geopolitical tensions. However, these recommendations are mainly based on cross-sectional evidence. The preregistered Repeated Assessment of Behaviors and Symptoms in the Population (RABSYPO) study sought to establish prospective longitudinal evidence from a cohort with a demographic distribution similar to that of the Spanish population to provide evidence for developing solid universal recommendations to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms during times of uncertainty. Material and methodsWe first recruited via social networks a pool of Spanish individuals willing to participate and then randomly selected some within each stratum of age×gender×region×urbanicity to conduct a one-year-long bi-weekly online follow-up about the frequency of ten simple potential coping behaviors as well as anxiety (GAD-7) and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9). Mixed-effects autoregressive moving average models were used to analyze the relationship between past behaviors’ frequency and subsequent symptom changes across the twenty-seven time points. ResultsAmong the 1049 who started the follow-up, 942 completed it and were included in the analyses. Avoiding excessive exposure to distressing news and maintaining a healthy/balanced diet, followed by spending time outdoors and physical exercise, were the coping behaviors most strongly associated with short and long-term reductions of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Engaging in relaxing activities and drinking water to hydrate were only associated with short-term symptom reductions. Socializing was associated with symptom reductions in the long term. ConclusionsThis study provides compelling prospective evidence that adopting a set of simple coping behaviors is associated with small but significant reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms during times of uncertainty. It also includes a layman's summary of this evidence to help develop general recommendations that serve as universal tools for enhancing mental health and well-being.