Abstract
This follow-up study aimed to analyze the protective role of positivity and coping strategies on the well-being and psychological distress levels reported during Portugal's first and third waves of COVID-19. The total sample consisted of 135 participants (82.0% women) with ages ranging from 20 to 72 years (M = 39.29, SD = 11.46). Results suggested a significant decrease in well-being levels but no changes in psychological distress were observed. Positivity was a strong and significant predictor of well-being and psychological distress during the pandemic crisis. Among the set of strategies used by individuals at the first wave, denial, self-blame, and self-distraction predicted a poorer adaptation with more significant mental health impairment, with self-blame standing out as the most harmful. This study highlighted the key role of positivity in adjusting to the current pandemic crisis and the lasting detrimental impact of specific coping strategies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1750-1771 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2023 International Association of Applied Psychology.
Funding
This study was funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology\u2014FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education), under the grant UIDB/05380/2020. Funding information
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education | |
| Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | UIDB/05380/2020 |
Keywords
- COVID-19
- coping
- positivity
- psychological distress
- well-being