“…Social support refers to the self-perceived care and support people receive from family, friends, and the community and it has been considered as a key environmental resource for PTG (Brooks et al, 2019). Although the pandemic research has repeatedly shown the negative association of social support with distress (McLean et al, 2022; Ortiz-Calvo et al, 2022), less is known about its relationship with PTG (Kalaitzaki, Tsouvelas, et al, 2022; Van der Hallen & Godor, 2022). In this article, social support was examined as an available social/contextual resource and not as a coping strategy (i.e., actively seeking support).…”
This study seeks to expand previous research by examining (a) the prevalence rates of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and its potential predictors (posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTSS], perceived stress, adaptive coping strategies, social support) during the first and second lockdown in the general population of Greece, and (b) the mediating role of the stress indicators (PTSS/perceived stress) in the relationship between positive reframing and PTG. A sample of 1,361 participants (1.009 in the first lockdown and 352 in the second lockdown) completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory and the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI). Moderate levels of PTG were found during both lockdowns. PTG did not significantly increase during the second lockdown. PTG was associated with PTSS during the first lockdown and with perceived stress during the second one; these two stress indicators partially mediated the positive reframing—PTG relationship in the first and second lockdown, respectively. Both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies predicted PTG during the first lockdown, whereas only adaptive coping strategies predicted PTG during the second lockdown. Perceived social support, emotional during the first lockdown and instrumental during the second one, predicted PTG during the two lockdowns, respectively. The results of this study may enhance our understanding of PTG and its predictor to inform the design of interventions moving beyond growth cognitions into growth actions.
“…Social support refers to the self-perceived care and support people receive from family, friends, and the community and it has been considered as a key environmental resource for PTG (Brooks et al, 2019). Although the pandemic research has repeatedly shown the negative association of social support with distress (McLean et al, 2022; Ortiz-Calvo et al, 2022), less is known about its relationship with PTG (Kalaitzaki, Tsouvelas, et al, 2022; Van der Hallen & Godor, 2022). In this article, social support was examined as an available social/contextual resource and not as a coping strategy (i.e., actively seeking support).…”
This study seeks to expand previous research by examining (a) the prevalence rates of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and its potential predictors (posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTSS], perceived stress, adaptive coping strategies, social support) during the first and second lockdown in the general population of Greece, and (b) the mediating role of the stress indicators (PTSS/perceived stress) in the relationship between positive reframing and PTG. A sample of 1,361 participants (1.009 in the first lockdown and 352 in the second lockdown) completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory and the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI). Moderate levels of PTG were found during both lockdowns. PTG did not significantly increase during the second lockdown. PTG was associated with PTSS during the first lockdown and with perceived stress during the second one; these two stress indicators partially mediated the positive reframing—PTG relationship in the first and second lockdown, respectively. Both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies predicted PTG during the first lockdown, whereas only adaptive coping strategies predicted PTG during the second lockdown. Perceived social support, emotional during the first lockdown and instrumental during the second one, predicted PTG during the two lockdowns, respectively. The results of this study may enhance our understanding of PTG and its predictor to inform the design of interventions moving beyond growth cognitions into growth actions.
“…Participants were asked to complete the 28‐item Brief COPE (Carver, 1997) as a measure of coping (McLean et al, 2022). The instructions shown to participants for this scale were reworded to target the measure towards coping with the COVID‐19 pandemic.…”
Objectives
Global pandemics, such as the current COVID‐19 pandemic, are predicted to increase in prevalence in the future. Transmission suppression techniques such as social distancing and stay‐at‐home restrictions have introduced an abundance of additional stressors while simultaneously reducing our capacity to cope with stress, thus increasing the collective burden of the pandemic. Numerous psychosocial factors have been identified to protect against distress in difficult circumstances. However, it is unknown whether these factors will continue to be protective in the pandemic context.
Design
The aim of the current study was to determine whether locus of control (LOC), coping style or self‐compassion were debilitating or protective factors towards psychological well‐being (depression, anxiety, stress and positive and negative affect) during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Methods
In the current study, Australian adults (N = 176) completed a longitudinal online survey (two time points, 2 weeks apart) incorporating measures of demographics, locus of control, coping, self‐compassion (measured at T1), depression, anxiety, stress and positive and negative affect (measured at T1 and T2) throughout June–August 2020, during the height of lockdown in Australia.
Results
Multiple regression analyses suggested that avoidant coping was predictive of increases in stress and negative affect across time points. Additionally, self‐compassion was predictive of increased positive affect across time points.
Conclusions
These results suggest that the pandemic context represents a unique stressor, demanding a distinctive set of strategies and psychosocial characteristics to cope. Interventions targeted at reducing avoidant coping behaviours and promoting self‐compassion may contribute to improvements in psychological well‐being during the COVID‐19 pandemic as well as future pandemics.
“…4 ). The social support types were categorized as informational support, belonging (or emotional) support and instrumental support which is similar to previous studies of COVID-19 coping ( McLean et al, 2022 ) and coping among migrants ( Salgado et al, 2012 ). Fig.…”
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