Optimism as a protective factor against the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic through its effects on perceived stress and infection stress anticipation.
Curr Psychol
; : 1-15, 2022 Mar 16.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1748409
ABSTRACT
The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the recommended social isolation presented a challenge to people's mental health status. Optimism is a psychological factor that plays a key role in the evaluation of stressful situations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating role of perceived stress and Covid-19-related stress anticipation in the relationship between optimism and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Our sample included 1015 participants ranging in age from 18 to 79 years, 80% of whom were Spaniards. At the beginning of the worldwide pandemic, participants were confined to their homes for at least seven days and completed an online survey measuring various sociodemographic and psychological variables. We found an indirect effect of optimism on intrusion and hyperarousal through perceived stress and stress anticipation. In addition, we observed an indirect effect of optimism on avoidance through perceived stress. Finally, the results showed a significant indirect effect of optimism on the total post-traumatic stress symptoms score through perceived stress and stress anticipation. Our results indicate that positive beliefs inherent to optimism are related to less psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Curr Psychol
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S12144-022-02819-3
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