Being a parent, emotional stability, and adjustment disorder symptoms in the face of COVID‐19

Abstract

Objective The current study examines the correlation between emotional stability and symptoms related to adjustment to the stresses related to the pandemic for parents and nonparents at the initial stage of the COVID‐19 outbreak in Israel. Background At the early stage of the COVID‐19 outbreak, governments prohibited public gatherings and demanded social distancing. These challenges may be especially difficult for individuals with low levels of emotional stability as adaptation difficulties may lead to stress‐related outcomes, such as adjustment disorder symptoms. Additionally, in the face of a significant external threat and the demand for intensive joint familial time at home, the parental role becomes especially salient. Methods Two hundred forty‐four Israeli adults filled in self‐reported e‐version questionnaires regarding emotional stability, adjustment disorder symptoms, and background variables. A cross‐sectional design was used to examine the association between emotional stability and adjustment disorder symptoms, as well as the potential moderation by parenting status. Results The findings revealed that the levels of emotional stability were negatively correlated with adjustment disorder symptoms, while being a parent mitigated this correlation. This correlation was nonsignificant among parents. Conclusion and Implications It appears that the identity salience of parental role in the current stressful situation and its associated strain may have overcome the advantage of emotional stability. The identity of being a parent has the potential to dismiss it. Here, the social role emerges as more forcible than the personality trait. Recommendations for practice are discussed.

Intolerance to uncertainty and self-efficacy as mediators between personality traits and adjustment disorder in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The current study is one of the first studies to explore the relations between personality traits and adjustment disorder (Kestler-Peleg et al, 2022 ; Vallejo-Sánchez & Pérez-García, 2017 ). In addition, this study is the first to examine the role of intolerance to uncertainty and self-efficacy in these relations and in the face of the unique stressors of the initial lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, whose restrictions were the strictest and the circumstances the most ambiguous and threatening.…”

“…The capability of individuals to adjust to stressful situations and a changing reality when the end of its continuum is reflected in the phenomenon of adjustment disorder has received increasing research attention in the last decade (e.g., Ben-Eezra et al, 2018 ; Hamama-Raz et al, 2021a ; Kestler-Peleg et al, 2022 ). The goal of this research area is to map the factors and mechanisms that make it difficult for some of us to adjust to these stressful circumstances.…”

“…In the meta-analysis of Malouff and his colleagues ( 2005 ), it was found that four basic personality traits (low extraversion, low agreeableness, low conscientiousness, and high neuroticism) were associated with the development of clinical disorders. It can be assumed that predispositions such as personality tendencies also play a central role in the development of adjustment disorder in a manner that is similar to other clinical disorders, but knowledge about the specific relationships between personality traits and adjustment disorder is still quite limited (Kestler-Peleg et al, 2022 ). To the best of our knowledge, in the only two studies that examined these associations, it was found that low extraversion and high neuroticism were associated with adjustment disorder (Kestler-Peleg et al, 2022 ; Vallejo-Sánchez & Pérez-García, 2017 ).…”

“…It can be assumed that predispositions such as personality tendencies also play a central role in the development of adjustment disorder in a manner that is similar to other clinical disorders, but knowledge about the specific relationships between personality traits and adjustment disorder is still quite limited (Kestler-Peleg et al, 2022 ). To the best of our knowledge, in the only two studies that examined these associations, it was found that low extraversion and high neuroticism were associated with adjustment disorder (Kestler-Peleg et al, 2022 ; Vallejo-Sánchez & Pérez-García, 2017 ). Thus, personality traits encompass significant factors when individuals experience a stressful situation.…”

“…Accordingly, individuals with certain personality traits may perceive a greater gap between contextual imperatives and their coping resources. Hence, they respond to high-stress situations, such as the current global pandemic, with a higher intensity than others (Kestler-Peleg et al, 2022 ; Schneider et al, 2012 ) in a manner that elevates their potential susceptibility to adjustment disorder (Patra & Sarkar, 2013 ). According to the cognitive appraisal model of coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984 ), which is part of the transactional stress model, the primary appraisal reflects a ranking process: situations can be intimidating, neutral-positive or irrelevant.…”