Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Department of Rural Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2021 Aug;67(5):540-549. doi: 10.1177/0020764020961790. Epub 2020 Oct 4.
Psychosocial responses to infectious disease outbreaks have the potential to inflict acute and longstanding mental health consequences. Early research across the globe has found wide ranging psychological responses to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding how different coping styles can be effective in mitigating mental ill health would enable better tailored psychological support.
The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of psychosocial responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including depression, anxiety and distress, as well as effective coping styles in an Australian sample.
A sample of 1,495 adults, residing in Australia between April 3rd and May 3rd 2020, completed an online survey which measured psychological distress (Impact of Events Scale-Revised), depression, anxiety, stress (DASS-21), as well as coping strategies (Brief COPE).
47% of the respondents were experiencing some degree of psychological distress. Females experienced higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress than males. Coping strategies associated with better mental health were positive reframing, acceptance and humour. Conversely, self-blame, venting, behavioural disengagement and self-distraction were associated with poorer mental health.
Rates of psychological symptoms amongst the Australian population are similar to those reported in other countries. Findings add to the growing literature demonstrating a gender disparity in the mental health impacts of COVID-19. Positive emotion focused coping strategies may be effective for reducing psychological symptoms. Understanding psychosocial responses including beneficial coping strategies are crucial to manage the current COVID-19 situation optimally, as well as to develop mental health response plans for future pandemics.
传染病爆发带来的心理社会反应有可能造成急性和长期的心理健康后果。全球早期研究发现，人们对当前 COVID-19 大流行存在广泛的心理反应。了解不同的应对方式如何能有效地减轻心理健康问题，将有助于提供更具针对性的心理支持。
本研究旨在了解澳大利亚人群对 COVID-19 大流行的心理社会反应，包括抑郁、焦虑和困扰，以及有效的应对方式。
2020 年 4 月 3 日至 5 月 3 日期间，1495 名澳大利亚成年人完成了一项在线调查，该调查测量了心理困扰（事件影响量表修订版）、抑郁、焦虑、压力（DASS-21）以及应对策略（简要应对量表）。
47%的受访者存在一定程度的心理困扰。女性的抑郁、焦虑和压力水平高于男性。与更好的心理健康相关的应对策略包括积极的重新构建、接受和幽默。相反，自责、发泄、行为脱离和自我分心与较差的心理健康有关。
澳大利亚人群的心理症状发生率与其他国家报告的相似。研究结果增加了越来越多的文献，表明 COVID-19 对心理健康的影响存在性别差异。以积极情绪为重点的应对策略可能有助于减轻心理症状。了解心理社会反应，包括有益的应对策略，对于优化当前 COVID-19 情况以及制定未来大流行的心理健康应对计划至关重要。
