Wai Kai Hou1, Horace Tong2, Li Liang3, Tsz Wai Li4, Huinan Liu5, Menachem Ben-Ezra6, Robin Goodwin7, Tatia Mei-Chun Lee8. 1. Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. Electronic address: wkhou@eduhk.hk. 2. State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Laboratory of Neuropsychology & Human Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. 3. Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Laboratory of Neuropsychology & Human Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. 4. Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. 5. Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. 6. School of Social Work, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel. 7. Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom. 8. State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Laboratory of Neuropsychology & Human Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. Electronic address: tmclee@hku.hk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study examined the associations between components of psychological resilience and mental health at different levels of exposure to COVID-19 stressors. METHODS: A population-representative sample of 4,021 respondents were recruited and assessed between February 25th and March 19th, 2020. Respondents reported current anxiety symptoms (7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale [GAD-7]), cognitive components (perceived ability to adapt to change, tendency to bounce back after adversities) and behavioral components (regularity of primary and secondary daily routines) of resilience, worry about COVID-19 infection, and sociodemographics. RESULTS: Logistic regression revealed that cognitive and behavioral components of resilience were not correlated with probable anxiety (GAD-7≥10) among those reporting no worry. Among respondents who were worried, all resilient components were inversely associated with probable anxiety. Specifically, propensity to bounce back and regular primary routines were more strongly related to lower odds of probable anxiety among those reporting lower levels of worry. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design limits causal inference. Second, other resilient components and some key daily routines that could be related to better mental health were not assessed. Third, generalizability of the findings to other similar major cities is uncertain because cases and deaths due to COVID-19 in Hong Kong have been comparatively lower. CONCLUSIONS: To foster mental health, cultivation of confidence in one's ability to adapt to change and a propensity to bounce back from hardship should be coupled with sustainment of regular daily routines. Such assessment and intervention protocols could be more relevant to those who suffer heightened levels of exposure to COVID-19 stressors.
BACKGROUND: This study examined the associations between components of psychological resilience and mental health at different levels of exposure to COVID-19 stressors. METHODS: A population-representative sample of 4,021 respondents were recruited and assessed between February 25th and March 19th, 2020. Respondents reported current anxiety symptoms (7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale [GAD-7]), cognitive components (perceived ability to adapt to change, tendency to bounce back after adversities) and behavioral components (regularity of primary and secondary daily routines) of resilience, worry about COVID-19infection, and sociodemographics. RESULTS: Logistic regression revealed that cognitive and behavioral components of resilience were not correlated with probable anxiety (GAD-7≥10) among those reporting no worry. Among respondents who were worried, all resilient components were inversely associated with probable anxiety. Specifically, propensity to bounce back and regular primary routines were more strongly related to lower odds of probable anxiety among those reporting lower levels of worry. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design limits causal inference. Second, other resilient components and some key daily routines that could be related to better mental health were not assessed. Third, generalizability of the findings to other similar major cities is uncertain because cases and deaths due to COVID-19 in Hong Kong have been comparatively lower. CONCLUSIONS: To foster mental health, cultivation of confidence in one's ability to adapt to change and a propensity to bounce back from hardship should be coupled with sustainment of regular daily routines. Such assessment and intervention protocols could be more relevant to those who suffer heightened levels of exposure to COVID-19 stressors.
Authors: Josefine Hansson; Mikael Nordenmark; Åsa Tjulin; Bodil J Landstad; Stig Vinberg Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-26 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Héctor Raúl Pérez-Gómez; Esteban González-Díaz; Marta Herrero; Fabiola de Santos-Ávila; José Luis Vázquez-Castellanos; Pedro Juárez-Rodríguez; Bernardo Moreno-Jiménez; Rosa Martha Meda-Lara Journal: Healthcare (Basel) Date: 2022-02-05