Fear of COVID-19: Psychological distress and coping among university students in Ghana

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dc.contributor.authorOti-Boadi, M.
dc.contributor.authorMalm, E.
dc.contributor.authorDey, N.E.Y.
dc.contributor.authorOppong, S.
dc.date.accessioned2022-01-06T10:06:32Z
dc.date.available2022-01-06T10:06:32Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.descriptionResearch Articleen_US
dc.description.abstractThe 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.en_US
dc.identifier.otherhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02267-5
dc.identifier.urihttp://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/37489
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherSpringeren_US
dc.subjectFear of COVID-19en_US
dc.subjectPsychological distressen_US
dc.subjectCopingen_US
dc.subjectUndergraduatesen_US
dc.subjectGhanaen_US
dc.titleFear of COVID-19: Psychological distress and coping among university students in Ghanaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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