Factors Associated with Coping Strategies Due to COVID-19 Pandemic-related Stressors among Omani Adults.

Objectives: We sought to examine stressors and coping strategies adopted by Omani adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the relationships between coping strategies (avoidant and approach coping) and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: This national cross-sectional survey was conducted throughout Oman between September and December 2020. An online questionnaire was distributed to collect information concerning sociodemographic characteristics, potential stressors experienced during the pandemic, and coping strategies. Results: A total of 790 Omani adults submitted completed questionnaires (response rate 88.4%). High, moderate, and low stress were reported by 492 (62.3%), 139 (17.6%), and 159 (20.1%) participants, respectively. Approach coping mechanisms received a higher mean score than avoidant mechanisms (22.01±6.55 vs. 8.88±4.80). Regarding specific coping strategies, planning had the highest mean score (5.15±1.31), followed by acceptance (4.95±1.34), religion (4.56±1.52), and positive reframing (4.28±1.89), while substance use (0.01±0.19) was the least reported followed by humor (0.86±1.43), denial (0.97±1.56), and behavioral disengagement (1.02±1.60). Associations were observed between the different coping strategies and participants' gender, age, marital status, exercise level, and stress level (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: During a large-scale pandemic, the psychological impact on the general population is significant, even among individuals not infected with the disease. These results underscore the need for a mental health support system in Oman that can address the general population's needs. Public education on coping strategies and stress management may be helpful.

The Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Social Anxiety Disorder: A Focused National Survey.

BACKGROUND: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is among the most common anxiety disorders worldwide with data largely emerging from the Euro-American and Pacific Rim populations. In contrast, there is a dearth of studies among the populations of Arabian Gulf countries including Oman. This study has two interrelated aims: (i) to explore the prevalence of SAD among Omani adults, and (ii) to tease out the links between socio-demographic factors and SAD in Oman. METHODS: A cross-sectional study via an online survey was conducted among 1019 adult Omani nationals residing in Oman. The presence of SAD was assessed using the Arabic version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). RESULTS: Nearly half the participants (45.9%, n = 468) exhibited "caseness" for SAD as defined by LSAS. In the multivariate logistic analysis, participants below 40 years of age were 1.6 times (OR = 1.568, p = .026) more likely to have caseness for SAD than those who were 40 and older. Women were 1.3 times (OR = 1.348, p = .038) more likely to exhibit caseness for SAD than men. Participants who had secondary or undergraduate education were respectively 1.5 times (OR = 1.45, p = .014) and 2.5 times (OR = 2.509, p < .001) to have caseness for SAD than those who were graduates. CONCLUSION: The present data suggest that 45.9% of the participants reached the cut-off for caseness in LSAS, which is high compared to reports from other populations. The present accrued frequency is discussed within the context of the accrued response rate, socio-cultural factors as well as the tendency for self-reported measures to "produce" spurious results is also highlighted which, in turn, calls for studies that adopt more inclusive survey methods.

Silent Epidemic of Depression in Women in the Middle East and North Africa Region: Emerging tribulation or fallacy?

BACKGROUND: As the world is being gripped by economic depression, international psychological epidemiologists have amassed evidence to suggest that psychological depression and its variants are becoming leading contributors to the global burden of disease with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region being no exception. AIM: The main aim of the present discourse, based on a review of the available literature, is to discuss critically whether women in the MENA region have a higher rate of psychological depression than those in other parts of the globe. RESULT: From the present synthesis, it emerges that the rate of depression may not be necessarily unique to the region. CONCLUSION: Although no society has totally overcome the marginalisation and lack of empowerment of women, in order to come to grips to this complex issue more vigorously designed epidemiological studies, using taxonomies that are standardised for cross-cultural populations, are needed to quantify the psychological functioning of women.