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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Objectives: To identify the strategies used by Brazilian adults for coping with the
COVID-19 pandemic and to verify the effect of these strategies on subjective distress.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study with online data collection in
May/June 2020, November/December 2020, and May/June 2021. The BriefCOPE
Inventory and the Impact of Event Scale (IES-R) were used. The prevalence of strategies
used at different time points was estimated with a 95% confidence interval and
compared with a z-test. A multiple logistic regression model was constructed and the odds ratio (OR, 95%CI) was calculated to verify the probability of subjective distress
according to the coping strategy used.
Results: Younger individuals had a lower prevalence of adaptive strategies, which
increased significantly with age. Participants with higher income levels had a higher
prevalence of adaptive strategies, as did those who were never diagnosed with a mental
health disorder. The prevalence of using only maladaptive strategies ranged from 6.1%
to 5.4% (p > 0.05). The use of problem-centered strategies (Active Coping and
Planning), venting of emotions, and substance use increased with time, while acceptance and behavioral disengagement decreased. In general, the population used
problem-centered strategies, but the high prevalence of problem avoidance was
striking. Positive reinterpretation and acceptance were protective factors for subjective distress, whereas maladaptive strategies increased the chance of distress. The
presence of a negative valence component (problem- or emotion-centered) increased
the chance of subjective distress, whereas strategies based on Problem Solving acted as
a protective factor.
Conclusion: Coping strategies were significantly associated to subjective distress and
have changed since the beginning of the pandemic. Strategies focused on emotion
regulation may be relevant to minimize distress.
Description
Keywords
Coping strategies Pandemic COVID-19 Subjective distress
Citation
Coping Strategies and Their Relationship With Subjective Distress due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil. (2022). Psychological Reports, 1.
Publisher
Sage