Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2021.639
THE SENSE OF COHERENCE AND SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING AS RESOURCES OF RESILIENCE IN THE TIME OF STRESSFUL SITUATIONS: COVID-19 OUTBREAK AND EARTHQUAKES
Ivica Matic
; Erasmus Department, School of Nursing Mlinarska, Zagreb, Croatia
Iva Taksic
orcid.org/0000-0003-4826-8236
; Department of Health Psychology, University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Marija Bozicevic
; Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus outbreak was labeled a global pandemic by the WHO in March 2020. Simultaneously, an
earthquake of 5.5 hit Croati . The present study investigated the association between the sense of coherence,
subjective well-being, and emotional distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) that people went through while facing an acute stress
situation of COVID-19 outbreak and the earthquakes.
Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study included 1152 subjects. Orientation to Life Questionnaires (OLQ-13),
Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) and DASS-21 scale were used in an anonymous online survey which was conducted on 22 March
2020 (the twelfth day of the COVID-19 outbreak in Croatia and the day of the earthquakes in the Capital). The results of the
questionnaires were determined by the correlation analysis. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to evaluate the association
between the subjective well-being and the sense of coherence on the emotional distress.
Results: The sense of coherence correlated positively with subjective well-being (p<0.01) and negatively with all distress
domains (p<0.01) as well as subjective well-being (p<0.01). Mild emotional distress was detected. Subjects who experienced the
earthquakes showed a significantly higher degree of anxiety (p=0.005) and stress (p=0.003), with significantly decreased the two
personal well-being domains: standard of living (p=0.023) and personal safety (p=0.026). Sense of coherence made a major
contribution in explaining emotional distress (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The results support the importance of improving coping efficiency of the sense of coherence with respect to
obtaining an appropriate level of well-being and reducing emotional distress in acute stressful situations.
Keywords
sense of coherence; psychological distress; COVID-19; earthquakes
Hrčak ID:
269118
URI
Publication date:
21.12.2021.
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