Satisfaction with Life: Mediating Role in the Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Coping Mechanisms

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the mediating role of life satisfaction in the relationship between fourteen coping strategies and depressive symptoms in the Portuguese population. To undertake this work, 313 Portuguese adults aged 18 to 70 years (M = 30.73; SD = 10.79) were invited to participate in this study. Their participation was completely voluntary, and participants granted and signed informed consent previously to the filling of the validated Portuguese questionnaires. These questionnaires measured depressive symptoms, coping, and life satisfaction. The results revealed that life satisfaction displayed a mediating role in the relationship between adaptive coping mechanisms, specifically between active coping, planning, reinterpretation, and acceptance and depressive symptoms, showing a negative and significant indirect effect. Maladaptive coping mechanisms of self-blame, denial, self-distraction, disengagement, and substance use had a significant positive association with depressive symptoms, considering the mediating role of satisfaction with life. Current investigation provides initial evidence of how each coping mechanism is associated with satisfaction with life and depressive symptoms. This study clearly demonstrates that not all coping strategies are capable of influencing well-being indicators and that health professionals should focus on endorsing those that are significantly associated with lowering depressive symptoms and increasing overall satisfaction with life.

The Future Looks Good: Examining the Associations Between Coping, Psychological Distress, and Optimism

“…Nonetheless, these psychological stress dimensions were positively and significantly associated with maladaptive coping. In consistency with our results, previous studies have shown that individuals with mood disorders used significantly more maladaptive coping strategies in workers during COVID-19 lockdown ( Mishra et al, 2021 ; Salazar et al, 2021 ) and after ( Almeida et al, 2021 ). Our results and these studies support our hypothesis that, as individuals experience feelings of self-doubt, severe despondency, and sadness, tend to void situations, events, damaging self-development, restricting growth, and failing to experience well-being.…”

“…Individuals who have dealt with stressful events such as COVID-19 lockdown and associated consequences may be more empathetic and understanding to the issues that other people may have faced ( Salazar et al, 2021 ). Thus, there could be some positive thinking that helps individuals deal with anxiety in a more adaptive manner, as the focus shifts from negative thoughts or concerns to active coping and searching for support ( Almeida et al, 2021 ). It is worth to mention that anxiety levels are nonetheless low (i.e., below midpoint) and that the correlation with adaptive coping is weak.…”

“…Second, it seems that anxiety may not always be an indication of psychological distress, but rather a strong desire or concern to do something or for something to happen. A psychologist by measuring psychological distress could examine in further detail how anxiety is affecting their work and overall well-being and thus provide effective and timely inputs that assist workers with adopting coping mechanisms that emphasize accomplishments and provide satisfaction with life ( Almeida et al, 2021 ).…”

“… Meyer et al (2001) , found adaptative coping strategies to be positively related to psychological well-being in patients with severe mental illness ( Meyer et al, 2001 ). Almeida et al (2021) concluded that adaptive coping was positively correlated with satisfaction with life, while negatively associated with depressive symptoms ( Almeida et al, 2021 ). On the other hand, maladaptive coping was positively correlated with depressive symptoms, and negatively associated with satisfaction with life.…”

The Relationship between Emotional Stability, Psychological Well-Being and Life Satisfaction of Romanian Medical Doctors during COVID-19 Period: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Longitudinal studies have shown that resilience has increased and the general population has found a surprising ability to adapt [ 56 , 57 ]. Coping mechanisms such as active attitudes, along with making plans, acceptance, and reinterpretation of reality are positively associated with LS [ 58 ]. Other factors that have helped to reduce stress are protective measures, psychological counselors [ 59 ], team support, stress monitoring, taking breaks regularly [ 60 ], knowledge of the disease [ 61 ], and things becoming easier [ 62 ].…”