COVID-19: Factors associated with psychological distress, fear, and coping strategies among community members across 17 countries

Muhammad Aziz Rahman 1 2 3, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam 4, Patraporn Tungpunkom 5, Farhana Sultana 6, Sheikh M Alif 7, Biswajit Banik 8, Masudus Salehin 8, Bindu Joseph 8, Louisa Lam 8, Mimmie Claudine Watts 8, Sabria Jihan Khan 9, Sherief Ghozy 10, Sek Ying Chair 11, Wai Tong Chien 11, Carlos Schönfeldt-Lecuona 12, Nashwa El-Khazragy 13, Ilias Mahmud 14, Adhra Hilal Al Mawali 15, Turkiya Saleh Al Maskari 16, Rayan Jafnan Alharbi 17, Amr Hamza 18, Mohamad Ali Keblawi 18, Majeda Hammoud 19, Asmaa M Elaidy 20, Agus Dwi Susanto 21, Ahmed Suparno Bahar Moni 22, Alaa Ashraf AlQurashi 23, Almajdoub Ali 24, Amit Wazib 25, Cattaliya Siripattarakul Sanluang 5, Deena H Elsori 26, Farhana Yasmin 27, Feni Fitrani Taufik 21, Manal Al Kloub 28, Mara Gerbabe Ruiz 16, Mohamed Elsayed 29, Nael Kamel Eltewacy 30, Nahed Al Laham 31, Natalia Oli 32, Ramy Abdelnaby 33, Rania Dweik 26, Ratree Thongyu 34, Sami Almustanyir 35, Shaila Rahman 25, Sirirat Nitayawan 5, Sondos Al-Madhoun 31, Suwit Inthong 5, Talal Ali Alharbi 36, Tamanna Bahar 37, Tribowo Tuahta Ginting 38, Wendy M Cross 8

Affiliations

01 October 2021

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doi: 10.1186/s12992-021-00768-3

Abstract

Background: The current pandemic of COVID-19 impacted the psychological wellbeing of populations globally.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the extent and identify factors associated with psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study across 17 countries during Jun-2020 to Jan-2021. Levels of psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale), fear of COVID-19 (Fear of COVID-19 Scale), and coping (Brief Resilient Coping Scale) were assessed.

Results: A total of 8,559 people participated; mean age (±SD) was 33(±13) years, 64% were females and 40% self-identified as frontline workers. More than two-thirds (69%) experienced moderate-to-very high levels of psychological distress, which was 46% in Thailand and 91% in Egypt. A quarter (24%) had high levels of fear of COVID-19, which was as low as 9% in Libya and as high as 38% in Bangladesh. More than half (57%) exhibited medium to high resilient coping; the lowest prevalence (3%) was reported in Australia and the highest (72%) in Syria. Being female (AOR 1.31 [95% CIs 1.09-1.57]), perceived distress due to change of employment status (1.56 [1.29-1.90]), comorbidity with mental health conditions (3.02 [1.20-7.60]) were associated with higher levels of psychological distress and fear. Doctors had higher psychological distress (1.43 [1.04-1.97]), but low levels of fear of COVID-19 (0.55 [0.41-0.76]); nurses had medium to high resilient coping (1.30 [1.03-1.65]).

Conclusions: The extent of psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping varied by country; however, we identified few higher risk groups who were more vulnerable than others. There is an urgent need to prioritise health and well-being of those people through well-designed intervention that may need to be tailored to meet country specific requirements.

Keywords: COVID-19; coping; coronavirus; fear; mental health; psychological distress; resilience.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication.

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