COVID ‐19 distress and worries: The role of attitudes, social support, and positive coping during social isolation

In this study, we explored the level of psychological distress that people experienced in social isolation and the factors which might ameliorate or exacerbate it. Two hundred and thirteen participants (69% female) with a mean age of 37.82 y ears participated in an online study. They completed a series of questions designed as part of a larger cross‐national study. A positive attitude towards social isolation introduced by government as a strategy to reduce the transmission ofCOVID ‐19 was predictive of positive coping strategies, and both attitude and coping predicted reduced psychological distress. Participants ’ worries about contagion ofCOVID ‐19, their financial status, and the economic and political impact of theCOVID ‐19 pandemic predicted increases in their psychological distress. Social support from family and work colleagues was not significant in reducing worries or psychological distress but it did positively predict engagement in coping. The findings and recommendations are discussed.Practitioner points Fostering a positive attitude towards social isolation in clients: reduces psychological distress, fosters engagement in positive coping behaviours. Enhancing clients ’ level of social support received will serve to increase positive coping and indirectly reduce psychological distress during social isolation. Strategies to reduce clients’COVID ‐19 worries are important as worry contributes to their overall level of psychological distress.
Source: Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Brief report Source Type: research