Fear of COVID-19: Psychological distress and coping among university students in Ghana
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Date
2021
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Publisher
Springer
Abstract
The advent of the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the psychological well-being of many people. This study examined the
relationship between fear of COVID-19, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) and coping strategies adopted by
undergraduate students in Ghana. A sample of 209 students were recruited to complete online surveys on fear of COVID-19,
psychological distress and coping strategies between June and July 2020. Students scored between normal to mild levels of
psychological distress but above average scores on fear of coronavirus (M = 19.45, SD = 6.04). Fear of COVID-19 was
positively related to psychological distress. Only maladaptive coping was found to be significantly and positively associated
with fear of COVID-19. However post-hoc analysis of the components of coping strategies revealed that denial (β = .17, p =
.028), venting (β = .18, p = .036) and humour (β = −.18, p = .023; an adaptive coping strategy) were associated with fear of
COVID-19. Finally, both adaptive coping and maladaptive coping strategies had a mediating effect on fear of COVID-19 and
psychological distress. These findings emphasize the need to design and optimize institutional interventions that will assess
psychological distress and fear of COVID-19 levels during this pandemic and provide psychotherapeutic support for students as
they return to school.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Fear of COVID-19, Psychological distress, Coping, Undergraduates, Ghana