Changes in Stress, Coping Styles, and Life Satisfaction between the First and Second Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Cross-Lagged Study in a Sample of University Students

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to explain the interplay mechanism between stress, life satisfaction, and coping styles among university students. A cohort study was performed during the first (wave 1; W1) and second (wave 2; W2) waves of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The total sample included 231 university students, of which 59.31% were women. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) were included in one online survey. Stress, emotion-oriented, and avoidance-oriented coping styles increased from W1 to W2 of the COVID-19 pandemic, while life satisfaction and task-oriented coping decreased. The partial mediation effect of all three coping styles during W1 and W2 (in a cross-sectional approach) on the relationship between perceived stress and life satisfaction was confirmed in this study. The task-oriented and avoidance-oriented coping styles can play a mediating role in the reciprocal relationship between life satisfaction and perceived stress during W1 and W2 of the pandemic. There were no mutual interactions between stress and life satisfaction from a longitudinal approach. Coping styles changed subsequently due to stressful environmental changes related to lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having a wide range of coping strategies from which to choose during an unstable situation should help manage stress and well-being.

Association of Covid-19 pandemic-related stress and depressive symptoms among international medical students

“…Lardier Jr et al examined the effect of coping style on well-being among Hispanic undergraduates, and found that higher level of stress was associated with higher level of reactive and suppressive coping style, which led to more subsequent depressive symptoms [14]. In addition, according to the similar research performed by Rogowska and colleagues during the Covid-19 pandemic, partial mediation effect of coping style was also found on the relationship between stress and life satisfaction among university students [19]. Based on these findings and the stress coping theory, we propose the second hypothesis (H2): Coping plays a mediating role in the association between Covid-19 pandemic-related stress and depressive symptoms among international medical students.…”

“…A total score of 10 or higher indicates the presence of depressive symptoms, and previous studies have shown that the sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 88% respectively for detecting major depression [30,31]. The total score can be further categorized as mild depressive symptoms (10-15), moderate depressive symptoms (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21) and severe depressive symptoms (22-27) [30]. PHQ-9…”

Prevalence and Sociodemographic Predictors of Mental Health in a Representative Sample of Young Adults from Germany, Israel, Poland, and Slovenia: A Longitudinal Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…For example, Ochnik et al [7] compared the mental health of university students in nine countries. They revealed that Turkish students reported the highest depression levels (perhaps due to economic burden and a high unemployment rate), while Rogowska et al [20] showed an increase in perceived stress between the first and second wave of the pandemic in Poland.…”

The Relationship between Emotional Stability, Psychological Well-Being and Life Satisfaction of Romanian Medical Doctors during COVID-19 Period: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This finding is identical to that of Tyssen et al, according to whom doctors with low ES responded excessively to the stressful conditions imposed by their profession with implications for daily activities [ 66 ]. During COVID-19, levels of stress were higher, associated with avoidance of the use of coping mechanisms [ 67 ], but people with high ES could overcome these issues by following doctors’ recommendations [ 68 ]. Moreover, low levels of anxiety facilitate adaptability in all existential roles [ 69 ].…”