The Protective Role of Character Strengths in COVID-19 Stress and Well-Being in Individuals With Chronic Conditions and Disabilities: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Individuals with chronic conditions and disabilities, in response to stress associated with COVID-19, may experience a decrease in their overall well-being beyond that experienced by otherwise healthy individuals. Therefore, it is imperative to identify internal resources (e.g., character strengths) that can help them better manage COVID-19-related stress and enhance well-being in spite of COVID-19. This study explored the potential protective role of character strengths and virtues in moderating the negative effects of COVID-19 on stress and well-being. A cross-sectional study design was implemented. Participants included 269 individuals with self-reported chronic conditions and disabilities. After controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics, we examined whether character strengths and virtues acted as independent moderators between COVID-19-related stress and well-being. A higher degree of multiple character strengths significantly and independently moderated the relationship between COVID-19-related stress and well-being. Findings suggested the importance of promoting more character strengths overall in people with chronic conditions and disabilities to help them better manage COVID-19-related stress and enhance well-being.

Meaning-Based Coping and Spirituality During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mediating Effects on Subjective Well-Being

“…Consistent with the literature ( Yildirim et al, 2020a ; Yıldırım and Güler, 2020b ), the present evidence shows that perceived risk of coronavirus is a significant predictor of coronavirus stress in young adults. Furthermore, coronavirus stress significantly predicts spiritual well-being and meaning-based coping, which is consistent with previous research indicating that coronavirus stress is assorted with mental health problems and variables related to well-being (e.g., depression, anxiety, fear, burnout, and trauma; Fisher et al, 2020 ; Umucu et al, 2020 ; Yıldırım and Solmaz, 2020 ; Genç and Arslan, 2021). Perceived risk and stress may function to develop and form individuals’ stress-related behaviors ( Janz and Becker, 1984 ) because those with high levels of perceived risk and stress are more likely to focus on feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that influence their decisions and behaviors in the face of adverse experiences ( Cori et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being and mental health outcomes has been investigated in various studies. Taken together, the results of these studies reveal a positive association between coronavirus stress and depression, anxiety, fear, burnout, trauma, and other variables related to well-being and mental health outcomes ( Fisher et al, 2020 ; Umucu et al, 2020 ; Yıldırım and Solmaz, 2020 ; Genç and Arslan, 2021 ). For example, Arslan et al (2020) establish that coronavirus stress is positively associated with depression, anxiety, and somatization.…”

Prevalence and Determinants of Psychological Distress in Adolescent and Young Adult Patients with Cancer: A Multicenter Survey

“…Higher levels of character strengths significantly and independently moderated the relationship between COVID-19-related stress and well-being. [ 27 ]…”

Exploring Christian therapists’ experience of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on their faith and spirituality: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

“…Such psychological consequences can have implications that are both short and long term, and are likely to increase the prevalence of anxiety, depression, insomnia and post-traumatic stress (Rogers et al, 2020;616-622) and other variables related to maintaining one's wellbeing (Umucu et al, 2020;Fisher et al, 2020;Arslan et al, 2020).…”

“…With regards to the various channels through which the pandemic has impacted psychological wellbeing, recent studies (i.e., Hamouche, 2020:4-5) have suggested that COVID-19-related psychological distress may be caused by multiple stressors (a combination of determinants) such as environmental (e.g., social disconnection, stigma; Xiang et al, 2020), organisational (e.g., job insecurity; Zhou et al, 2020;Brooks et al, 2020), as well as other supplementary factors (e.g., the risk of contagion, financial loss; Zhang et al, 2020;Wang et al, 2020). And the psychological burden that the ongoing pandemic has placed on individuals can be especially high for vulnerable demographics, including individuals with pre-existing mental health issues, patients with the virus and their families, the elderly, and healthcare workers (Rajkumar, 2020;Dubey et al, 2020).…”