Using Spiritual Connections to Cope With Stress and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 Crisis, Religiosity and Spirituality Among Seventh-Day Adventist Older Adults

This study highlights the lived experience of Seventh-day Adventist older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, while focusing on their religious and spiritual practices during this event. The researchers conducted 10 in-depth qualitative interviews and found participants experienced notable changes in their personal spirituality and practices. Furthermore, findings showed participants categorizing the events of the pandemic in light of their understanding of the Bible. The analysis highlights the all-encompassing influence of spirituality and religiosity upon participants' experience of the world. The findings assist social workers to consider the importance of assessing and integrating older adults' spirituality as means to enhance their well-being.

The co-moderating effect of social support and religiosity in the association between psychological distress and coping strategies in a sample of lebanese adults

BACKGROUND

Coping involves attempts to mitigate the negative repercussions of stressful situations including psychological distress. The aim of this study was to assess factors affecting coping and examine the role of social support and religiosity in moderating the association between psychological distress and coping strategies in a sample of Lebanese adults.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out between May and July 2022, enrolling 387 participants. The study participants were asked to complete a self-administered survey containing the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Arabic Version, the Mature Religiosity Scale, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and the Coping Strategies Inventory-Short Form.

RESULTS

Higher levels of social support and mature religiosity were significantly associated with higher problem- and emotion-focused engagement scores and lower problem- and emotion-focus disengagement scores. In people experiencing high psychological distress, having low mature religiosity was significantly associated with higher problem-focused disengagement, seen at all levels of social support. In people experiencing high psychological distress, having moderate mature religiosity was significantly associated with higher problem-focused disengagement, seen at both moderate and high levels of social support.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide novel insight into the moderating effect of mature religiosity in the association between psychological distress and coping strategies affecting adaptive behavior to stress.