Factors Associated with Coping Strategies Due to COVID-19 Pandemic-related Stressors among Omani Adults
Objectives: We sought to examine stressors and coping strategies adopted by Omani adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the relationships between coping strategies (avoidant and approach coping) and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: This national cross-sectional survey was conduct...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Oman Medical Specialty Board
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Oman Medical Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://omjournal.org/articleDetails.aspx?coType=1&aId=3190 |
| _version_ | 1828108926706515968 |
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| author | Rahma Mohamed Al Kindi Aamal Abdullah Ambusaidi Alaa Yaqoob Al Mahrooqi Noor Hamed Al Omrani Maha Khalfan Al Jabri Hana Harib Al Sumri |
| author_facet | Rahma Mohamed Al Kindi Aamal Abdullah Ambusaidi Alaa Yaqoob Al Mahrooqi Noor Hamed Al Omrani Maha Khalfan Al Jabri Hana Harib Al Sumri |
| author_sort | Rahma Mohamed Al Kindi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives: We sought to examine stressors and coping strategies adopted by Omani adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the relationships between coping strategies (avoidant and approach coping) and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: This national cross-sectional survey was conducted throughout Oman between September and December 2020. An online questionnaire was distributed to collect information concerning sociodemographic characteristics, potential stressors experienced during the pandemic, and coping strategies. Results: A total of 790 Omani adults submitted completed questionnaires (response rate 88.4%). High, moderate, and low stress were reported by 492 (62.3%), 139 (17.6%), and 159 (20.1%) participants, respectively.
Approach coping mechanisms received a higher mean score than avoidant mechanisms (22.01±6.55 vs. 8.88±4.80). Regarding specific coping strategies, planning had the highest mean score (5.15±1.31), followed by acceptance (4.95±1.34), religion (4.56±1.52), and positive reframing (4.28±1.89), while substance use (0.01±0.19) was the least reported followed by humor (0.86±1.43), denial (0.97±1.56), and behavioral disengagement (1.02±1.60). Associations were observed between the different coping strategies and participants’ gender, age, marital status, exercise level, and stress level (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: During a large-scale pandemic, the psychological impact on the general population is significant, even among individuals not infected with the disease. These results underscore the need for a mental health support system in Oman that can address the general population’s needs. Public education on coping strategies and stress management may be helpful. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T10:54:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d3d8eff17ea3415884d915d2d252d496 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-768X 2070-5204 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T10:54:39Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Oman Medical Specialty Board |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Oman Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-d3d8eff17ea3415884d915d2d252d4962022-12-22T04:28:48ZengOman Medical Specialty BoardOman Medical Journal1999-768X2070-52042022-09-01375e424e42410.5001/omj.2022.84Factors Associated with Coping Strategies Due to COVID-19 Pandemic-related Stressors among Omani AdultsRahma Mohamed Al Kindi0Aamal Abdullah Ambusaidi1Alaa Yaqoob Al Mahrooqi2Noor Hamed Al Omrani3Maha Khalfan Al Jabri4Hana Harib Al Sumri5Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, OmanDepartment of Behavioral Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, OmanFamily Medicine Residency Program, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, OmanFamily Medicine Residency Program, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, OmanDepartment of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, OmanDepartment of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, OmanObjectives: We sought to examine stressors and coping strategies adopted by Omani adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the relationships between coping strategies (avoidant and approach coping) and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: This national cross-sectional survey was conducted throughout Oman between September and December 2020. An online questionnaire was distributed to collect information concerning sociodemographic characteristics, potential stressors experienced during the pandemic, and coping strategies. Results: A total of 790 Omani adults submitted completed questionnaires (response rate 88.4%). High, moderate, and low stress were reported by 492 (62.3%), 139 (17.6%), and 159 (20.1%) participants, respectively. Approach coping mechanisms received a higher mean score than avoidant mechanisms (22.01±6.55 vs. 8.88±4.80). Regarding specific coping strategies, planning had the highest mean score (5.15±1.31), followed by acceptance (4.95±1.34), religion (4.56±1.52), and positive reframing (4.28±1.89), while substance use (0.01±0.19) was the least reported followed by humor (0.86±1.43), denial (0.97±1.56), and behavioral disengagement (1.02±1.60). Associations were observed between the different coping strategies and participants’ gender, age, marital status, exercise level, and stress level (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: During a large-scale pandemic, the psychological impact on the general population is significant, even among individuals not infected with the disease. These results underscore the need for a mental health support system in Oman that can address the general population’s needs. Public education on coping strategies and stress management may be helpful.https://omjournal.org/articleDetails.aspx?coType=1&aId=3190covid-19psychological stresscoping behaviorsquality of lifemental healthpsychological distresspandemicoman |
| spellingShingle | Rahma Mohamed Al Kindi Aamal Abdullah Ambusaidi Alaa Yaqoob Al Mahrooqi Noor Hamed Al Omrani Maha Khalfan Al Jabri Hana Harib Al Sumri Factors Associated with Coping Strategies Due to COVID-19 Pandemic-related Stressors among Omani Adults Oman Medical Journal covid-19 psychological stress coping behaviors quality of life mental health psychological distress pandemic oman |
| title | Factors Associated with Coping Strategies Due to COVID-19 Pandemic-related Stressors among Omani Adults |
| title_full | Factors Associated with Coping Strategies Due to COVID-19 Pandemic-related Stressors among Omani Adults |
| title_fullStr | Factors Associated with Coping Strategies Due to COVID-19 Pandemic-related Stressors among Omani Adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors Associated with Coping Strategies Due to COVID-19 Pandemic-related Stressors among Omani Adults |
| title_short | Factors Associated with Coping Strategies Due to COVID-19 Pandemic-related Stressors among Omani Adults |
| title_sort | factors associated with coping strategies due to covid 19 pandemic related stressors among omani adults |
| topic | covid-19 psychological stress coping behaviors quality of life mental health psychological distress pandemic oman |
| url | https://omjournal.org/articleDetails.aspx?coType=1&aId=3190 |
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