Difficult Life Experiences Research Articles

Dimensions of affective temperament and the experience of violence or social exclusion in childhood

Affective temperament is considered relatively stable, manifesting as traits, a way of expressing a person's characteristic or emotional state, which overall impacts mood. It also provides information about the risk of developing psychopathology in a given person. Despite its relative stability, it can be shaped by various difficult life experiences. The article presents the results of a survey conducted in 2019 on 300 respondents, the aim of which was to compare groups in terms of affective temperament who experienced social exclusion and physical and psychological violence in the family home in childhood with people who did not experience such situations in their lives. This problem is fundamental. This shows, among others, the diagnosis of violence against children in Poland from 2023, which shows that 79% of children and teenagers have experienced violence or neglect at least once in their lives. Dimensions of affective temperament and the experience of violence or social exclusion in childhood

Dimensions of Psychological Resilience Among Mental Health Professionals in Greece: A Postdoctoral-based Literature Review

IntroductionResilience is defined as the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, and adjustment to external and internal demands, including challenges in family or relationship dynamics, serious health concerns, financial pressure or work-related stress. Employees’ creative self-sufficiency, work environment, as well as the interpersonal relationships developing in the workplace which constitute basic parameters of professional satisfaction can potentially affect both psychosomatic resilience of the employees as well as their performance at work. Exploring the available bibliography, it was revealed that the mental health professionals’ community has not been sufficiently examined in terms of emotional resilience.ObjectivesTo examine the dimensions of psychological resilience among mental health professionals.MethodsIn the context of a postdoctoral research which is conducted on a sample of the Greek population- personnel working in mental health hospital and community-based settings -a review of 35 articles from 1985 to 2023 on PubMed and Google Scholar was proceeded regarding psychological resilience among mental health professionals.ResultsCreative self-sufficiency and professional satisfaction were found to be positively correlated with resilience among mental health professionals. Additional factors have been found to influence mental resilience among mental health professionals, such as individual personality traits, coping style, perceived social support, a sense of security, and organizational support.ConclusionsThis review contributes to the evolving understanding of resilience, particularly regarding mental health prοviders. The positive correlation between creative self-sufficiency and professional satisfaction highlights the importance of fostering these dimensions to enhance mental resilience through implementing emotional capacity-building practices, social skills counseling, as well as mindfulness-based interventions.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

285 “Stages” of Hope: Theater as a Research and Outreach Modality for Generating Knowledge, Understanding, and Healing

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Theater has always served as a means of reflecting and understanding the human condition. Participatory theater further offers the option for viewers to participate in and thus additionally benefit from the performance itself. We use Playback Theater for outreach and research, eliciting information to guide research, education, and engagement. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Playback Theater is a type of improvisation that involves audience members recounting personal experiences which are then enacted by a theater troupe. Playback has evolved to include storytelling as a means of expressing and understanding difficult life experiences such as violence, bullying, incarceration, disaster, illness, etc. While not intended as therapy, it has been found to provoke insight and catharsis when used by trained practitioners. We are conducting Playback theater with LGBTQ+ and African American women to elucidate health disparities related to HIV/AIDS. Black/African Americans accounted for 42.1% of cases in 2019, and African American females are 15 times more likely to develop AIDS than white females. We hope to elucidate barriers to screening and treatment to inform early intervention. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: In community engagement, we employ a variety of strategies involving storytelling, since this simple act fosters multiple positive outcomes. For example, by talking about their experiences participants might find clarity about a difficult experience, facilitating coping or healing, or even letting go. By sharing their stories, others (clinicians, researchers, other patients, or the public) can learn what it is like to go through a particular illness or event. This knowledge can be used to allay patient fears or help researchers or clinicians to develop programming that better responds to needs. This novel approach to knowledge sharing also allows communication that may not otherwise be possible. Discussions about sensitive topics are enabled, often leading to shared understanding and potential solutions. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Through Playback Theater, we hope to identify and thus be able to address barriers to early screening and treatment for African American women and the LGBTQ+ population. We are also planning an event with children with cancer and their families to better understand their experiences and needs in both the clinical and familial settings.

Narratives of experts by experience: A journey from criminal to expert

Summary This study focuses on the narratives of participants of a long-term expert-by-experience training programme for people with a history of crime about their past, and how they use their life experience in their work as experts by experience. The research data was collected during interviews of respondents with a history of crime (N=19). The interviews were analysed using a narrative identity framework, and the data further examined in light of various studies focused on a desistance from crime. Findings The transformation process from service user or client to expert by experience provided people with a history of crime with a chance to come to terms with their past, and to and gain a sense of closure. Expertise by experience gave their difficult life experiences a new meaning, and thus promoted their overall rehabilitation and offered them opportunities through which they could gain the appreciation and acceptance of other people. The new relationships presented to them as experts by experience also paved the way to a new kind of self-concept that strengthened the desister's self-confidence and optimistic outlook on the future. Applications This study offers perspectives on how people with a history of crime can re-enter society. Through their survival stories and their journey to become experts by experience, desisters can earn the acceptance and approval of others and gain a more positive perception of themselves. The new identities of people with a history of crime are dependent on society's approval as they continue to desist from crime and re-enter mainstream society.

Relational vulnerability in motherhood-an existential perspective on pain and exhaustion among women.

Stress-related ill-health like pain and exhaustion are demanding public health problems in Europe. In Sweden, women are particularly at risk to develop stress-related ill-health during a period in life that coincides with child-rearing years. When entering motherhood, Swedish women's sick leave substantially increases. Yet, motherhood is rarely acknowledged in clinical encounters concerning pain and exhaustion although women suffer from these ailments more often than men. To incorporate motherhood as an existential dimension of health in the care of women living with pain and exhaustion might alleviate women's suffering. But knowledge on women's experiences of motherhood and health is scarce. Therefore, the aim of the study is to reach a deeper understanding of how women suffering from long-lasting pain and exhaustion experience their health in relation to motherhood. Ricoeur's interpretation theory has been applied to analyze 27 phenomenological interviews with 14 mothers suffering from long-lasting pain and exhaustion. These women's experiences shed light on how closely motherhood is interwoven with the experience of their health and suffering: The women's suffering seems to be rooted in a relational vulnerability that has been uncovered during motherhood. Further, the women suffer from a burden of difficult life experiences and inner conflicts. Reconciliation with life is possible when women find an existential shelter, which offers ways to relate to their suffering making the own suffering more bearable.

How do adopted adults see the significance of adoption and being a parent in their life stories? A narrative analysis of 40 life story interviews with male and female adoptees

Being adopted and becoming a parent are both highly significant events in the life course. How adopted people represent adoption and parenthood in their life stories is the focus of the current study. The research explored the views of adopted people who were parents, focusing on those adopted since the late 1980s in order to capture the experiences of people adopted through the child protection system. The participants were 40 adult adoptees who had at least one child. Equal numbers of men and women were recruited, and purposive sampling was used to ensure a diverse range of people were included. Most participants (34 of 40) were in their 20s or 30s and age at adoption varied from 0 to 12 years old. All except one person were domestically adopted in England, with two-thirds having been adopted through the child protection system; 32 were White British, and 8 were Black, Mixed or Asian ethnicity. An adaptation of McAdam’s life story interview method was used to enable participants to describe their whole life including their adoption and being a parent. Interviews were first analysed ‘within case’ looking at narrative themes and structure. Then looking across cases four types of life story narrative were identified: “continuously stable”, “pulling through”, “still struggling” and “robbed of parenthood”. The research illustrates the wide diversity of adopted people’s experiences and the ongoing impact of difficult early life experiences on adopted individuals as adults and parents. Parenting raised additional challenges for many adopted people, but could also be a positive turning point. The pathways to overcoming (or not overcoming) early adversity to succeed as parents are illustrated and the role of adoption as both a risk and protective factor is discussed.

A prospective assessment of resilience in trauma patients using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale

BackgroundResilience, or the ability to adapt to difficult or challenging life experiences, may be an important mediator in trauma recovery. The primary aim of this study was to describe resilience levels for trauma patients using the validated Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. MethodsAdult trauma patients admitted to a Level 1 trauma center (June 2022–August 2022) were surveyed at the time of admission and by phone between 2 weeks and 1 month after the original survey to obtain follow-up scores. We utilized the validated Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale score, a 25-question survey with 5 subfactors (Tenacity, Positive Outlook, Social Support, Problem Solving, and Meaning and Purpose). Each question was scored from 0 to 4 (maximum score 100, representing the highest resilience). Patient factors were collected from the electronic medical record and trauma health registry. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and multivariable linear regression were used to understand associations with Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale scores. ResultsWe enrolled 98 patients. The median age was 50 years (interquartile range 32–67), and 74% were male sex. The baseline median Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale score on admission was 88 (interquartile range 81–94). Follow-up surveys (N = 64) showed a median score of 89.5 (80–90.5) (P = non-significant). No demographic variable was significantly associated with increasing baseline Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale score. Increased length of stay (β = 1.03), insurance (β = −7.50), and unknown race (β = 23.69) were correlated with follow-up Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale scores. The subfactor “Meaning and Purpose” decreased at follow-up but was not statistically significant (P = .05). ConclusionValidated tools that can accurately distinguish variability in resilience scores are needed for the trauma patient population to understand its relationship with long-term patient health outcomes.

Post-Traumatic Growth: A Paradigm for Psychological Change

Traumatic or difficult life experiences happen to nearly everyone. Most individuals have heard of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. It is understood that traumatic events are problematic both in the immediate present and the emotional long run. Negative impacts of difficult or unfair situations have been researched to a considerable length. Less well-known and considered are the positive repercussions from an event that pushes us to or past our limits. This idea of finding or recognizing the positive effects of dealing with difficult challenges is called post-traumatic growth (PTG). This term highlights the idea that traumatic events can give a person new purpose and strength. Finding this strength and determination inside oneself can be beneficial in many aspects of life. This mindset is hard-earned and a valuable tool in life. Post-traumatic growth can be found in resilient people who experience challenges and persevere. It gives one the opportunity to find and realize what makes life worth living, and in process inspires people to live a life that they are proud of. This lowers regrets at the end of life and provides a feeling of fulfillment to those who experience this growth. This review will explore the concept of PTG, how this affects a person neurologically and throughout their lives, as well as how to obtain the benefits of PTG without experiencing traumatic situations (post-ecstatic growth). The review will also focus on what characteristics, mindsets, and paradigm a person may adopt to harness the power of PTG to change their lives.

Zdalne nauczanie jako trudne doświadczenie życiowe dzieci, rodziców i nauczycieli

Introduction: Distance learning is a difficult, even traumatic experience of children/students that has affected all aspects and spheres of their lives: learning, health, free time, as well as social and peer relationships. It also a difficult life experience of their parents and teachers. The article is theoretical and analytical in nature. Research Aim: The article aims at presenting distance learning as a difficult real-life situation for children/students, parents and teachers. Evidence-based Facts: Distance learning has affected psychophysical condition of students, which has been manifested by sadness, despondency, depression, suicides and excessive use of various types of stimulants. An attempt to describe the situations of students has become the basis for presenting various forms of support, those of institutional (governmental) and non-governmental in nature, including different types of foundations and associations whose statutory objectives comprise assistance to children in difficult situations during and after pandemic. Assistance and support apply to parents and teachers, as well. Summary: The article discusses suggestions for psychological and pedagogical support of children, teachers and parents that are essential for further psychophysical development of children and for their education.

Evaluation of a Virtual Compassionate Living Group for Patients with Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects around 28 million people in the UK. Those living with chronic pain can frequently experience internalised self-stigma and negative self-evaluations as a result of the pain itself and due to difficult life experiences. Previous research has found Compassion Focused Therapy to be effective for people living with long term health conditions like chronic pain. The current study sought to evaluate a routine Virtual Compassionate Living Group for patients with chronic pain on the measures of self-compassion, self-criticism and pain self-efficacy. The evaluation took place in a routine clinical setting. 13 outpatients attended the online group across three separate groups. Groups were delivered over eight or ten sessions with the group content focusing on psychoeducation of the Compassion Focused Therapy model and Compassionate Mind Training. Reliable and clinically significant change analyses were used to assess the data. Results showed that there had been improvements on the measures of self-compassion with 6 out of 13 patients exhibiting reliable and clinically significant change. Some improvements had also been made on pain self-efficacy and self-criticism but to a lesser extent. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the evaluation feedback forms for the course. Three superordinate themes were identified; <em>sense of belonging</em>, <em>flourishing</em> <em>and virtual benefits</em>. The service evaluation indicated that a Virtual Compassionate Living Group for patients with chronic pain can lead to improvements in self-compassion. This is consistent with previous research evidence, but larger scale evaluations are required to verify conclusions.

Children’s narratives about well-being in the face of difficult life experiences: Renegotiated self-understandings as turning points

Children who experience family-related adversity have stories to tell about well-being in the face of difficulties. These stories provide knowledge about how children handle their experiences and make sense of themselves. This study aims to investigate children’s perspectives on experiences that have contributed to their well-being in the face of difficulties, with a specific focus on turning-point narratives. Twenty-two children (aged 6–17) were interviewed, on two occasions each, about themselves and their lives. The findings show that children emphasize protection, support, and knowledge as contributing to their well-being. Furthermore, the findings show that those who narrate turning points do so in relation to three interrelated aspects: identification, directedness, and self-relationship. In their telling, these children are engaged in the project of renegotiating their self-understanding. The core contribution of the study is the notion that a renegotiated self-understanding, in and of itself, may be an important part of children’s well-being. The findings have implications for social work practice because they suggest that children in difficult life situations may benefit from support that offers them a space to examine old ideas about identity and agency in relation to new ones.

Life-Writing and Virtual Exchange

While we find ourselves immersed in a virtual society, the opportunity to use digital technologies for dialogue and understanding is still not well represented at third-level, despite the dramatic move towards teaching online during the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper presents a web-based Virtual Exchange (VE) between Cork (UCC) and the Fachhochschule Dresden (FHD) with a focus on life-writing and biography, developing qualitative research skills and speaking the foreign language (FL). Each student was tasked with conducting three interviews with their designated peer in the FL and producing a website (blog) or e-portfolio to present and reflect on findings. The first iteration of the module took place in 2020-21. This paper discusses students’ learning experiences during the updated, follow-up course in 2021-22. Findings show that they learned most in the interaction with their peers, learning through self-disclosure, sharing meaningful experiences, negotiating (difficult) life experiences and expanding their FL skills. The findings also point to evidence of transformational learning in the sample group. We conclude with some insights regarding the future development of the VE and include important limitations of the study.

Self-perception from the Viewpoints of the Informal Caregivers of Individuals with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Qualitative Study

Background: Difficult life experiences in adulthood, such as caregiving of an individual with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), constitute a challenge to the self and identity. Objectives: This study aimed to explore self-perception from the viewpoints of informal caregivers of individuals with TSCI. Methods: Twelve informal caregivers of individuals with TSCI participated in this qualitative study. The researchers purposively selected the participants and conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews for data collection. They recorded the interviews and transcribed them verbatim. The researchers analyzed the data according to the qualitative content analysis method. Results: The findings included “the self-being” as the main category and “self-essence” and “self-possession” as higher-level subcategories and their 25 related lower-level subcategories. Conclusions: The participants might perceive themselves as an eternal and granted “self-essence” or may perceive it as perishable and unstable “self-possessions.” Depending on self-perception, self-confidence and self-worth were maintained under any circumstances or fluctuated according to defects or lack of self-possessions.

And in The End: A 1980s Liverpool Youth Magazine

This article will examine the 1980s magazine The End first published in Liverpool by young people following 2 years of Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative election victory in 1979. The End editors and contributors have previously been discussed within popular culture, but there is a lack of academic consideration of the magazine itself. The End has been absorbed within the wider “Casual Cultural” appraisal—soccer subcultures of fashion and “terrace culture.” The End stands alone as it embraced the difficult life experiences of school leavers and endeavored to apply a humorous and acidly sarcastic twist to the dull consequences of unemployment and economic recession. This paper will explore the social, economic, and industrial landscape at the time of The End’s inception and capture the thoughts and motivations of those who first published the magazine. An exploration will examine the devastation of one industry as a representation of many businesses and manufacturing plants in Liverpool that relocated or ceased trading in the early 1980s. It explores the multi-layered texture and observational humor within The End.

The Effects of Playing Video Games on Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Loneliness, and Gaming Disorder During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic: PRISMA Systematic Review.

During the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, playing video games has been much more than just a pastime. Studies suggested that video games for many individuals have helped to cope with such difficult life experience. However, other research indicates that gaming may have had harmful effects. Within this context, this systematic review aimed to describe the literature on the effects of video games during the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis on stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and gaming disorder (GD), examining the study characteristics and outcomes. A systematic search of the literature was made following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. It was preregistered in the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (INPLASY)-INPLASY202180053. The search databases were PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Medline. The search string was: [("video game*") OR ("computer game*") OR ("gaming")] AND [("COVID-19")]. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Four research explored the effects of playing video games during the COVID-19 pandemic on stress, anxiety, and depression. Four studies investigated loneliness, while 18 research investigated game disorder. Video games, especially augmented reality and online multiplayer ones, mitigated stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness among adolescents and young adults during stay-at-home restrictions. However, in the case of at-risk individuals (i.e., particularly male youths), playing video games had detrimental effects.

"Everything was stuck in my inside and I just wanted to get it out": Psychological distress, coping, and help-seeking for young adult Australian Hazaras from refugee backgrounds.

Hazaras form an Afghan ethnic minority group in Australia who arrived as refugees and through humanitarian resettlement schemes over the past three decades. This qualitative study explored psychological distress in a community sample of young adult Hazaras with a refugee background. The aim was to contribute to a more detailed understanding of their mental health, coping, and help-seeking in Australia. Eighteen Hazaras, nine males and nine females aged 18-30 years (M = 22.39, SD = 3.35), in Perth, Melbourne, or Sydney, who had been living in Australia on average 7.17 years (range 1 to 16 years), participated in a semi-structured interview based on Kleinman's explanatory model framework. Participants described mental and physical health as interconnected and their explanatory models for psychological distress focused on their current difficult life experiences as refugees. Findings indicated noteworthy gender differences, with young women reporting less distress associated with adaptation than did young men. Some young people used positive coping strategies in the community, while others engaged with a variety of mental health services. Level of satisfaction with these services varied considerably, with satisfaction highest for services provided by multicultural centers. Generally, respondents were not focused on their past traumas, but more interested in planning for their futures in Australia. Key implications for culturally appropriate training and specialized interventions for use with young adult Hazaras from refugee backgrounds are discussed.

The power of feeling seen: perspectives of individuals with eating disorders on receiving validation

BackgroundA common complaint of individuals suffering from mental health conditions is feeling invalidated or misunderstood by care providers. This is notable, given that non-collaborative care has been linked to poor engagement, low motivation and treatment non-adherence. This study examined how receiving validation from care providers is experienced by individuals who have an eating disorder (ED) and the impact of receiving validation on the recovery journey.MethodsEighteen individuals who had an eating disorder for an average duration of 19.1 years (two identifying as male, 16 identifying as female), participated in semi-structured interviews on barriers and facilitators to self-compassion. Seven were fully recovered, and 11 were currently participating in recovery-focused residential treatment. Thematic analysis focused on the meaning and impact of receiving validation to participants.ResultsFive care provider actions were identified: (i) making time and space for me, (ii) offering a compassionate perspective, (iii) understanding and recognizing my treatment needs, (iv) showing me I can do this, and (v) walking the runway. These were associated with four key experiences (feeling trust, cared for, empowered, and inspired), that participants described as supportive of their recovery.ConclusionsThis research provides insight into patient perspectives of validation and strategies care providers can use, such as compassionate reframing of difficult life experiences, matching interventions to patient readiness, and modeling vulnerability.

The Online Authenticity Paradox: What Being "Authentic" on Social Media Means, and Barriers to Achieving It

People often strive to present themselves authentically on social media, but this may not be possible for everyone. To understand how people view online authenticity, how it relates to social media sharing behaviors, and whether it is achievable, we interviewed 28 social media users who had recently experienced major life transitions. We found that to many participants, online authenticity required presenting a consistent, positive, and "true" self across online and offline contexts. Though most stated that they considered online authenticity achievable, their social media self-disclosure behaviors around life transitions revealed what we call the online authenticity paradox: people strive to achieve online authenticity, yet because doing so requires sharing negative experiences on social media, online authenticity is often unreachable, or is possible only at great personal cost - especially for those with marginalized identities and difficult life experiences.

Moving Beyond Redemptive Magnitude: Examining Redemptive Forms and Themes in Young Adults’ Narratives of Difficult Life Experiences

ABSTRACT Narrative redemption involves reframing negative autobiographical experiences such that they convey positive meaning. Redemption is intertwined with processes of narrative identity development and psychological well-being. In line with recent theoretical advances in the conceptualization and measurement of redemption, we examined how narrative identity themes (agency, communion, thematic coherence, and narrated growth) and psychological well-being related to two redemptive forms: 1) a return to baseline, or 2) emergence to a new state. Further, we examined whether individuals framed challenges and event resolutions with situational or identity themes. We tested this dual conceptualization of redemption (i.e., redemptive forms and themes) using narratives about difficult life experiences provided by a college sample (N = 221). Redemptive forms and themes were associated, such that identity resolutions were most prevalent for emergent redemption. Additionally, emergent redemption was associated with the highest expressions of agency, growth, and coherence. Regarding the relation between redemption and psychological well-being, emergent redemption was associated with the greatest endorsements of self-reported personal growth. We argue that more nuanced considerations of redemption could benefit understandings of narrative identity development and psychological well-being.

The nexus between traditional African belief and pandemics: the manifestation of nyawawa spirits amidst the spread of corona virus in the Lake Victoria basin, Kisumu, Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to better understand the relationship between traditional African beliefs and the prevalence, manifestation, and management of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Luo of Kisumu, Kenya. COVID-19 has had an impact on practically all of the world's continents, including Africa, since its emergence in Wuhan, China in December 2019. As the number of cases and deaths reported internationally continues to rise, everyday real-time reporting of the COVID-19 epidemic has heightened terror and anxiety among the public. There is still a lot we don't know about this condition. Authorities and scientists still don't have all of the answers to the many issues that have been raised. Because medical therapies for COVID-19 are now restricted to supportive measures aimed at easing symptoms, as well as the utilization of research medications and therapeutics, it is believed that patients will easily turn to a greater power than themselves to find hope in an otherwise bleak situation. Spirituality and religious coping become a credible option for resolving the issues of COVID-19 in Africa because the influence of religion in crisis situations cannot be neglected in Africa. The soothing impact of religion in dealing with the COVID-19 situation, has been examined in this study among Luo clans in Kisumu, Kenya. The rich religious affiliation of the Luo community gives them an opportunity to explore a faith-centric response to the pandemic individually and collectively.
 Methodology: This article used Pargament's theory of religious coping to examine the coronavirus pandemic and traditional African beliefs and practices. Because Nyawawa Spirits are linked to Lake Victoria, the region has been purposefully designated. Data was collected using descriptive survey approaches such as Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. A convenient sample of 23 respondents was chosen and interviewed on purposively. Five elders from the Luo Council of Elderss, five religious leaders from African Spirituals churches, five traditional specialists - traditional healers, five elders over the age of 70, and three chiefs from three sublocations are among the 23. All of these respondents were chosen because they are considered to be custodians of Luo traditions and practices, and hence are relevant in providing the essential exposure to the study's topic.
 Findings: Following a number of other expressions of traditional beliefs and behaviors demonstrated by many Kenyan groups throughout the pandemic, this study is valid. The findings demonstrate that, rather than attributing coronavirus occurrence solely to traditional beliefs and spirituality, the majority of respondents saw it as a public health risk that should be addressed with precautionary measures. They believe that the government's restriction on social gatherings, which has harmed religious ceremonies such as burial rites, is the proper thing to do and that it is not only directed against religious and ethnic groups. Most religious leaders, on the other hand, think that some religious rituals, such as the celebration of death through elaborate rites, provide individuals with "necessary" emotional and spiritual support. Even if they are sick with the coronavirus, respondents feel that the religious rites they do can heal them.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The research fits into a unique academic niche, emphasizing how African spirituality is frequently used as a religious coping mechanism for understanding and dealing with difficult life experiences that are linked to the sacred. As a terrible and highly unanticipated event, the COVID-19 crisis fits all of the criteria for generating religious coping mechanisms. While existing works in this thematic specialization, namely human response to pandemics, have frequently emphasized the effects of modern scientific and non-religious variables, the uniqueness of this work is its alternative perspective, which focuses on covert religious mechanisms used by some African societies in the face of pandemics such as COVID-19.