Study looks at COVID-19 coping strategies

Active coping, denial, emotional support, humor, and religion are among the coping strategies that help people with chronic conditions and disabilities deal with stress caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to new research published in the journal Rehabilitation Psychology.

For the study, researchers from the University of Texas at El Paso led by Emre Umucu, PhD, assistant professor of rehabilitation counseling, examined the perceived stress levels and coping mechanisms related to COVID-19, and how coping affects wellbeing in people with self-reported chronic conditions and disabilities.

Umucu said the study provided some preliminary information on how individuals perceive COVID-19 and how the coping strategies they are using are related to their wellbeing. Findings from the study may help clinicians, researchers, and policymakers gain a better understanding of the use of coping strategies in individuals with chronic conditions and disabilities facing the pandemic, he said.

“Given that COVID-19 is a new and highly evolving stressor for everyone, especially for people with chronic conditions and disabilities, it is important to understand how individuals cope with it,” said Umucu in a statement. “Measuring and quantifying COVID-19-related stress and coping strategies in individuals with chronic conditions and disabilities can help clinicians and researchers understand the potential negative effects of COVID-19 among people with chronic conditions and disabilities.”

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