Stress, functioning, and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from an online convenience sample

Abstract

This study explored how individuals living in the United States were experiencing and responding to stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020. Participants (N = 408; 60% non-Hispanic White) completed an online survey regarding traumatic stress, functional impairment, and use of and perceived helpfulness of various coping strategies. Results showed that 37% of participants endorsed clinically-elevated PTSD symptoms. Approximately half of participants reported changes in their daily functioning from before the pandemic to present, most notably in their number of social interactions, physical activity, and time spent working. To cope, participants reported engaging in safety planning and behavioral activation, which they also perceived to be helpful in managing stress. Avoidance coping strategies involving use of alcohol, tobacco products, or recreational substances were infrequently endorsed and perceived to be minimally helpful. These findings offer an initial, data-based glimpse into the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and shed light onto opportunities for promoting mental health and well-being during this unprecedented and multifaceted crisis.

Why the COVID-19 pandemic is a traumatic stressor

“…We recruited online participants from five English speaking western countries of similar socio-economic make up (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand). To date, research on COVID-19 as a traumatic stressor has primarily been conducted in China [ 3 ], and only one unpublished study has focused on one of our populations of interest (United States [ 26 ]). Furthermore, published research to date has focused on providing a snapshot of mental health related concerns (e.g., rates of PTSD, depression etc.…”

The psychiatric sequelae of the COVID‐19 pandemic in adolescents, adults, and health care workers

“…Early studies from China on the psychological impact of COVID‐19 reported 35%–53.8% of adults experienced moderate or severe psychological symptoms (Qiu et al, 2020; Wang et al, 2020). In the United States, studies in adults conducted for 2–10 days during this pandemic showed increased loneliness, worries and stress, clinically significant depression and PTSD symptoms, and suicidal ideation (Ammerman et al, 2020; Killgore et al, 2020; Panchal et al, 2020; Park et al, 2020; Rosenberg et al 2020).…”

COVID-19 Stress and Food Intake: Protective and Risk Factors for Stress-Related Palatable Food Intake in U.S. Adults

“…Factors such as health concerns, such as oneself or a loved-one contracting the virus; financial stress related to loss of income or the pandemic-induced economic downturn; disruptions to daily life, childcare, and education due to lockdown restrictions; and general uncertainty about the future and feelings of helplessness contribute to reports of increased stress [ 3 , 4 ]. However, while a majority of the global population has experienced pandemic-associated environmental stressors, there is substantial individual variation in the quantity and severity of stressors experienced, and in behavioral and physiological responses to those stressors [ 5 , 6 ]. Psychological characteristics such as cognitive flexibility may help reduce stress response [ 7 ].…”