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A Longitudinal Examination of Posttraumatic Stress During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: The Role of Coping Self-Efficacy

Korth, Christina Xiaomei
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1656770040966387

Abstract Details

2022, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a widespread salient stressor and continues to contribute to individual- and societal-level psychological burdens. With traumatic stressors, resources such as social support and coping self-efficacy (CSE) may protect against poor mental health outcomes. CSE involves how confident one is in their ability to cope effectively with challenges or threats, and higher CSE is an important predictor of better posttraumatic recovery. Moreover, social support can enable and improve CSE. The current study examined the potential protective roles of social support and CSE in attenuating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Participants (n = 612; 59% female) completed questionaries assessing psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) at baseline and 6-month follow-up, and social support (Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12), CSE (Coping Self-Efficacy Scale), and PTSD symptoms (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) at six months. PTSD symptoms were also evaluated using a semi-structured interview (PTSD Symptom Scale – Interview for DSM-5) at the 6-month follow-up for a subset of participants. First, Pearson correlations between study measures were conducted. Next, a path analysis was conducted using SPSS Amos to examine the direct and indirect pathways from psychological distress to PTSD symptoms that are accounted for by social support and CSE. Lastly, a Pearson correlation was conducted between the IES-R and PSS-I-5 to examine the convergent validity between a self-report measure and semi- structured interview that assesses PTSD symptoms. All associations between study measures were significant and in the expected directions. Greater baseline psychological distress was associated with higher levels of PTSD symptoms (r = .51, p < .001) six months later. Higher levels of CSE were associated with lower levels of PTSD symptoms (r = -.49, p < .001). All direct effects in the path analysis were significant except for the relationship between social support and PTSD symptoms. Notably, CSE was directly related to PTSD symptoms (CSE: b = - .31, p < .001). Lastly, there was a significant indirect effect of early psychological distress on PTSD symptoms six months into the pandemic through social support and CSE (b = .15, p < .001). Social support and CSE significantly attenuated the relationship between early psychological distress and subsequent PTSD symptoms. Individuals with higher levels of social support are more likely to have greater confidence in their coping capabilities, which helps to explain PTSD symptom severity after controlling for initial levels of psychological distress. Given that traumatic stressors may not be entirely preventable, additional research is needed to characterize the long-term protective roles of social support and CSE with an ongoing global stressor.
Joel Hughes (Advisor)
Amy Sato (Committee Member)
John Gunstad (Committee Member)
John Updegraff (Committee Member)
40 p.
Clinical Psychology; Mental Health; Psychology
COVID-19; psychological distress; coping self-efficacy; social support; posttraumatic stress disorder

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Korth, C. X. (2022). A Longitudinal Examination of Posttraumatic Stress During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: The Role of Coping Self-Efficacy [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1656770040966387

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Korth, Christina. A Longitudinal Examination of Posttraumatic Stress During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: The Role of Coping Self-Efficacy. 2022. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1656770040966387.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Korth, Christina. "A Longitudinal Examination of Posttraumatic Stress During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: The Role of Coping Self-Efficacy." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1656770040966387

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1656770040966387
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This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.