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Understanding Differential Stress and Mental Health Reactions to COVID-19-Related Events

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  • Rita Sebastião

    (School of Psychology, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
    APPsyCI—Applied Psychology Research Center Capabilities & Inclusion, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • David Dias Neto

    (School of Psychology, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
    APPsyCI—Applied Psychology Research Center Capabilities & Inclusion, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Vasco Costa

    (School of Psychology, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

The effects of the pandemic on mental health can be studied through different variables, such as the number of COVID-19 stressors, the stressor types, and the stress responses. Understanding the sources of mental strain is crucial for developing effective interventions. The present study analyzed the relationship between these COVID-19-related variables and positive and negative mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 666 individuals from the Portuguese general population, mostly females (65.5%) between 16–93 years old. They completed self-report measures regarding the number of COVID-19 stressors, the stressor types, the stress responses (IES-R), and positive (MHC-SF) and negative mental health (BSI-18). The results demonstrated that a higher number of COVID-19-experienced stressors and more stress responses were related to worse mental health. Regarding stressor types, experiences not related to the COVID-19 infection (e.g., tension at home) presented the largest effects on mental health. The strongest predictor was the stress responses for negative ( β = 0.50) and positive mental health ( β = −0.17). The predictors explained more about negative mental health than positive. These findings support the idea that individual appraisals play a crucial role in mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Rita Sebastião & David Dias Neto & Vasco Costa, 2023. "Understanding Differential Stress and Mental Health Reactions to COVID-19-Related Events," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:10:p:5819-:d:1146430
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pedro Silva Moreira & Sónia Ferreira & Beatriz Couto & Mafalda Machado-Sousa & Marcos Fernández & Catarina Raposo-Lima & Nuno Sousa & Maria Picó-Pérez & Pedro Morgado, 2021. "Protective Elements of Mental Health Status during the COVID-19 Outbreak in the Portuguese Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-10, February.
    2. Maria Rosaria Gualano & Giuseppina Lo Moro & Gianluca Voglino & Fabrizio Bert & Roberta Siliquini, 2020. "Effects of Covid-19 Lockdown on Mental Health and Sleep Disturbances in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-13, July.
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