Coping mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in metropolitan Johannesburg, South Africa: A qualitative study.
Journal
American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council
ISSN: 1520-6300
Titre abrégé: Am J Hum Biol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 8915029
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Dec 2023
Dec 2023
Historique:
revised:
26
06
2023
received:
16
09
2022
accepted:
27
06
2023
pubmed:
10
7
2023
medline:
10
7
2023
entrez:
10
7
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused prolonged stress on numerous fronts. While the acute health impacts of psychosocial stress due to the pandemic are well-documented, less is known about the resources and mechanisms utilized to cope in response to stresses during the pandemic and lockdown. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the coping mechanisms adults utilized in response to the stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020 South African lockdown. This study included adults (n = 47: 32 female; 14 male; 1 non-binary) from the greater Johannesburg region in South Africa. Interviews with both closed and open-ended questions were administered to query topics regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were coded and thematically analyzed to identify coping mechanisms and experiences. Adults engaged in a variety of strategies to cope with the pandemic and the ensued lockdown. The ability to access or engage in multiple coping mechanisms were either enhanced or constrained by financial and familial situations. Participants engaged in seven major coping mechanisms: interactions with family and friends, prayer and religion, staying active, financial resources, mindset reframing, natural remedies, and following COVID-19 prevention protocols. Despite the multiple stressors faced during the pandemic and lockdown, participants relied on multiple coping strategies which helped preserve their well-being and overcome pandemic-related adversity. The strategies participants engaged in were impacted by access to financial resources and family support. Further research is needed to examine the potential impacts these strategies may have on people's health.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused prolonged stress on numerous fronts. While the acute health impacts of psychosocial stress due to the pandemic are well-documented, less is known about the resources and mechanisms utilized to cope in response to stresses during the pandemic and lockdown.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify and describe the coping mechanisms adults utilized in response to the stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020 South African lockdown.
METHODS
METHODS
This study included adults (n = 47: 32 female; 14 male; 1 non-binary) from the greater Johannesburg region in South Africa. Interviews with both closed and open-ended questions were administered to query topics regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were coded and thematically analyzed to identify coping mechanisms and experiences.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Adults engaged in a variety of strategies to cope with the pandemic and the ensued lockdown. The ability to access or engage in multiple coping mechanisms were either enhanced or constrained by financial and familial situations. Participants engaged in seven major coping mechanisms: interactions with family and friends, prayer and religion, staying active, financial resources, mindset reframing, natural remedies, and following COVID-19 prevention protocols.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the multiple stressors faced during the pandemic and lockdown, participants relied on multiple coping strategies which helped preserve their well-being and overcome pandemic-related adversity. The strategies participants engaged in were impacted by access to financial resources and family support. Further research is needed to examine the potential impacts these strategies may have on people's health.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
e23958Subventions
Organisme : NIH HHS
ID : D43 TW010543
Pays : United States
Organisme : NIMH NIH HHS
Pays : United States
Organisme : FIC NIH HHS
Pays : United States
Organisme : NIMH NIH HHS
Pays : United States
Organisme : NIH HHS
ID : D43 TW010543
Pays : United States
Informations de copyright
© 2023 The Authors. American Journal of Human Biology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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