COVID-19: Factors associated with psychological distress, fear, and coping strategies among community members across 17 countries Article (Web of Science)

abstract

  • Abstract Background The current pandemic of COVID-19 impacted the psychological wellbeing of populations globally. Objectives We aimed to examine the extent and identify factors associated with psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study across 17 countries during Jun-2020 to Jan-2021. Levels of psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale), fear of COVID-19 (Fear of COVID-19 Scale), and coping (Brief Resilient Coping Scale) were assessed. Results A total of 8,559 people participated; mean age (±SD) was 33(±13) years, 64% were females and 40% self-identified as frontline workers. More than two-thirds (69%) experienced moderate-to-very high levels of psychological distress, which was 46% in Thailand and 91% in Egypt. A quarter (24%) had high levels of fear of COVID-19, which was as low as 9% in Libya and as high as 38% in Bangladesh. More than half (57%) exhibited medium to high resilient coping; the lowest prevalence (3%) was reported in Australia and the highest (72%) in Syria. Being female (AOR 1.31 [95% CIs 1.09-1.57]), perceived distress due to change of employment status (1.56 [1.29-1.90]), comorbidity with mental health conditions (3.02 [1.20-7.60]) were associated with higher levels of psychological distress and fear. Doctors had higher psychological distress (1.43 [1.04-1.97]), but low levels of fear of COVID-19 (0.55 [0.41-0.76]); nurses had medium to high resilient coping (1.30 [1.03-1.65]). Conclusions The extent of psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping varied by country; however, we identified few higher risk groups who were more vulnerable than others. There is an urgent need to prioritise health and well-being of those people through well-designed intervention that may need to be tailored to meet country specific requirements.

authors

  • Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
  • Islam, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful
  • Tungpunkom, Patraporn
  • Sultana, Farhana
  • Alif, Sheikh M.
  • Banik, Biswajit
  • Salehin, Masudus
  • Joseph, Bindu
  • Lam, Louisa
  • Watts, Mimmie Claudine
  • Khan, Sabria Jihan
  • Ghozy, Sherief
  • Chair, Sek Ying
  • Chien, Wai Tong
  • Schönfeldt-Lecuona, Carlos
  • El-Khazragy, Nashwa
  • Mahmud, Ilias
  • Al Mawali, Adhra Hilal
  • Al Maskari, Turkiya Saleh
  • Alharbi, Rayan Jafnan
  • Hamza, Amr
  • Keblawi, Mohamad Ali
  • Hammoud, Majeda
  • Elaidy, Asmaa M.
  • Susanto, Agus Dwi
  • AlQurashi, Alaa Ashraf
  • Ali, Almajdoub
  • Wazib, Amit
  • Sanluang, Cattaliya Siripattarakul
  • Elsori, Deena H.
  • Yasmin, Farhana
  • Taufik, Feni Fitrani
  • Al Kloub, Manal
  • Ruiz, Mara Gerbabe
  • Elsayed, Mohamed
  • Eltewacy, Nael Kamel
  • Al Laham, Nahed
  • Oli, Natalia
  • Abdelnaby, Ramy
  • Dweik, Rania
  • Thongyu, Ratree
  • Almustanyir, Sami
  • Rahman, Shaila
  • Nitayawan, Sirirat
  • Al-Madhoun, Sondos
  • Inthong, Suwit
  • Alharbi, Talal Ali
  • Bahar, Tamanna
  • Ginting, Tribowo Tuahta
  • Cross, Wendy M.

publication date

  • 2021

webpage

published in

start page

  • 117

volume

  • 17

issue

  • 1