Stress appraisal as a mediator between the sense of coherence and the frequency of stress coping strategies in women and men duringCOVID‐19 lockdown

Abstract

The COVID‐19 lockdown experience is a unique and unexpected stressful life situation. In our research project, we explored gender differences in the mean level of stress appraisal (SAQ), the frequency of stress coping strategies (COPE), and the sense of coherence (SOC), as well as gender differences in the strength of the relationships between SAQ, COPE, and SOC during the COVID‐19 lockdown. Finally, we tested if stressor appraisal (as a threat, harm/loss, or challenge) mediates the relationship between SOC and COPE in women and men respectively. Data were collected during the first wave of the COVID‐19 lockdown in Poland in 2020. An online survey was conducted among 326 adults aged between 18 and 72. We observed gender differences in the level of SAQ, COPE, and SOC and gender differences in the significance and strength of the correlations between these variables. SOC had a twofold effect on COPE in men: direct and indirect through SOC‐threat and SOC‐harm/loss. In women, SOC did not directly predict COPE frequency but affected COPE in an indirect way through SAQ. SAQ is an important factor that modifies the strength of the SOC effect on COPE in women and men during the lockdown.

Using Spiritual Connections to Cope With Stress and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The increased reliance on spiritual connections could be due to increased levels of stress and anxiety symptoms experienced by female respondents. These findings are explainable as a recent study also reported the significance of gender differences in stress appraisal, levels of the sense of coherence, and stress coping strategies (Lelek-Kratiuk and Szczygieł, 2022). This study endorsed low levels of sense of coherence in women which increased their risk to experience high levels of stress.…”

“…Furthermore, they reported that women are more likely to employ a variety of coping strategies in comparison to men. However, women use these coping methods less effectively as reported by another study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic ( Lelek-Kratiuk and Szczygieł, 2022 ) and this may increase their susceptibility to experiencing stress and anxiety. We also observed in this study that women had significantly higher mean scores on spiritual connections as compared to men and simultaneously scored high on the anxiety and stress scale and this susceptibility is further validated in predictive analysis.…”

“…Women despite of high scores on spiritual connections were more likely to develop psychological symptoms. The possible explanation for this vulnerability in the light of psychological literature is the intense stress reactivity of women when confronted with stressful situations ( Lelek-Kratiuk and Szczygieł, 2022 ). Besides the actual increase of burden on the women during the COVID-19 pandemic such as care of young children and elders during lockdown along with online work demands may have influenced their sense of coherence and increased the likelihood of experiencing stress and anxiety ( Laufer and Shechory Bitton, 2021 ).…”

Perceived stress, coping strategies, and mental health status among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: a longitudinal study

“…Other studies found that both women and girls worried more about pandemic-related health concerns, such as, for example, getting and spreading the virus [ 37 , 51 ], and such worries might well have a detrimental effect on mental health. Similarly, Lelek-Kratiuk and Szczygieł found that women were more likely to evaluate COVID-19-related lockdown as a threat or harm and loss [ 52 ], a finding that might well apply to girls as well. Kaltschik et al offered some hypotheses including girls’ stronger reliance on a social network for emotional support with these networks being reduced by Covid-19-related restrictions of social life, a larger reduction of physical activity levels among girls, and girls’ higher smartphone usage during the pandemic [ 53 ].…”

The Evolution of Psychological Distress Levels in University Students in Spain during Different Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Risk and Protective Factors

“…In this context, COVID-19 has undeniably acted as an acute and strong source of stress. There is abundant proof that the pandemic was a potentially stressful situation that generated distress in many people, as described in previous paragraphs [2,37,38]. However, the Lazarus and Folkman theory proposes not only risk factors but also protective factors which decrease the negative effects of stress.…”