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A Cross-Cultural Study of Distress during COVID-19 Pandemic: Some Protective and Risk Factors

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  • Ankica Kosic

    (Dipartimento di Psicologia dei Processi di Sviluppo e Socializzazione, Facoltà di Medicina e Psicologia, Sapienza—University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Tamara Džamonja Ignjatović

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Beograd, Serbia)

  • Nebojša Petrović

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Beograd, Serbia)

Abstract

Previous studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in different countries found an increase in anxiety, stress, and an exacerbation of previous mental health problems. This research investigated some of the protective and risk factors of distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, among which were the perception of receiving social support from family members and friends, and a chronic tendency to worry. The study was conducted in three European countries: Italy, Serbia, and Romania. A total of 1100 participants (Italy n = 491; Serbia n = 297; Romania n = 312) responded to a questionnaire. Results from this study show that distress during the COVID-19 pandemic is higher for people who are chronic worriers and those who have higher levels of fear of COVID-19. More specifically, it is confirmed that a chronic tendency to worry exacerbates the relationship between fear and distress: it is stronger for people who have a greater tendency to worry.

Suggested Citation

  • Ankica Kosic & Tamara Džamonja Ignjatović & Nebojša Petrović, 2021. "A Cross-Cultural Study of Distress during COVID-19 Pandemic: Some Protective and Risk Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7261-:d:589911
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    References listed on IDEAS

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