Positivity and coping as key to well-being and psychological adjustment during the pandemic of COVID-19: A follow-up study in Portugal.

This follow-up study aimed to analyze the protective role of positivity and coping strategies on the well-being and psychological distress levels reported during Portugal's first and third waves of COVID-19. The total sample consisted of 135 participants (82.0% women) with ages ranging from 20 to 72 years (M = 39.29, SD = 11.46). Results suggested a significant decrease in well-being levels but no changes in psychological distress were observed. Positivity was a strong and significant predictor of well-being and psychological distress during the pandemic crisis. Among the set of strategies used by individuals at the first wave, denial, self-blame, and self-distraction predicted a poorer adaptation with more significant mental health impairment, with self-blame standing out as the most harmful. This study highlighted the key role of positivity in adjusting to the current pandemic crisis and the lasting detrimental impact of specific coping strategies.

An international study on psychological coping during COVID-19: Towards a meaning-centered coping style.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This study examined the role of different psychological coping mechanisms in mental and physical health during the initial phases of the COVID-19 crisis with an emphasis on meaning-centered coping. METHOD: A total of 11,227 people from 30 countries across all continents participated in the study and completed measures of psychological distress (depression, stress, and anxiety), loneliness, well-being, and physical health, together with measures of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping, and a measure called the Meaning-centered Coping Scale (MCCS) that was developed in the present study. Validation analyses of the MCCS were performed in all countries, and data were assessed by multilevel modeling (MLM). RESULTS: The MCCS showed a robust one-factor structure in 30 countries with good test-retest, concurrent and divergent validity results. MLM analyses showed mixed results regarding emotion and problem-focused coping strategies. However, the MCCS was the strongest positive predictor of physical and mental health among all coping strategies, independently of demographic characteristics and country-level variables. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the MCCS is a valid measure to assess meaning-centered coping. The results also call for policies promoting effective coping to mitigate collective suffering during the pandemic.

ANTECEDENTES/OBJETIVO: Este estudio examinó el papel de diferentes estrategias de afrontamiento psicológico en la salud mental y física durante las fases iniciales de la crisis de COVID-19. MÉTODO: 11,227 personas de 30 países representando todos los continentes participaron en el estudio y completaron medidas de malestar psicológico (depresión, estrés y ansiedad), soledad, bienestar, salud física, medidas de afrontamiento centrado en el problema y en la emoción, y una medida denominada Escala del Afrontamiento Centrado en el Sentido (MCCS) que fue desarrollada en este estudio. El análisis de validación de la MCCS se realizó en todos los países, y los datos se evaluaron mediante un modelo multinivel. RESULTADOS: La MCCS mostró una estructura unifactorial en 30 países con buenos resultados de validez test-retest, concurrente y divergente. Los análisis mostraron resultados mixtos en cuanto a las estrategias de afrontamiento centradas en la emoción y en el problema. La MCCS fue el predictor positivo más fuerte de salud física y mental, independientemente de las características demográficas y las variables a nivel de país. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados sugieren que la MCCS es un insrumento fiable para medir afrontamiento centrado en el sentido. Estos resultados pueden servir para dirigir políticas que promuevan un afrontamiento eficaz con el fin de mitigar el sufrimiento colectivo durante la pandemia.

Appraisal and coping predict health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: An international approach.

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on people worldwide. We conducted an international survey (n = 3646) examining the degree to which people's appraisals and coping activities around the pandemic predicted their health and well-being. We obtained subsamples from 12 countries-Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, India, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Turkey and the United States. For each, we assessed appraisals and coping strategies as well as indicators of physical and mental health and well-being. Results indicated that, despite mean-level societal differences in outcomes, the pattern of appraisals and coping strategies predicting health and well-being was consistent across countries. Use of disengagement coping (particularly behavioural disengagement and self-isolation) was associated with relatively negative outcomes. In contrast, optimistic appraisals (particularly of high accommodation-focused coping potential and the ability to meet one's physical needs), use of problem-focused coping strategies (especially problem-solving) and accommodative coping strategies (especially positive reappraisal and self-encouragement) were associated with relatively positive outcomes. Our study highlights the critical importance of considering accommodative coping in stress and coping research. It also provides important information on how people have been dealing with the pandemic, the predictors of well-being under pandemic conditions and the generality of such relations.

Dealing With the Pandemic of COVID-19 in Portugal: On the Important Role of Positivity, Experiential Avoidance, and Coping Strategies.

The global COVID-19 pandemic crisis has caused an unprecedented impact on most areas of people's lives. Thus, framed within the scope of Existential Positive Psychology (PP2.0), this study aimed at assessing the psychological distress of adults living in Portugal during the first national lockdown, how they are coping with stress, as well to contribute to a deeper understanding about the role that positivity, experiential avoidance, and coping strategies have in psychological distress and well-being. For this purpose, 586 Portuguese adults (73% females) ranging between 18 and 78 years old (M = 38.96, SD = 12.20) completed an online survey during the initial phase of the pandemic crisis in Portugal. Findings suggest that experiential avoidance was the strongest predictor of a negative response (depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and negative emotions), whereas positivity was a better predictor of psychological well-being and lower levels of depression. Additionally, self-blame, behavioral disengagement, and emotional venting were strong risk factors for psychological distress, whereas positive reframing, planning, and acceptance were associated with more positive outcomes. These findings highlight the critical role of experiential avoidance on individuals' psychological distress and the essential contribution of positive life orientation in promoting flourishing. By offering a better understanding of the complex navigation through the dialectics between positive and negative life features, this study provides important and useful cues for psychological interventions directed at promoting a more positive and adaptive human functioning even through such potential adverse and painful life events.

Unveiling anger and aggression in sports: The effects of type of sport, competitive category and success level / Aclarando la ira y la agresión en el deporte: el efecto de la modalidad, escalón competitivo y nivel de éxito / Clarificando a raiva e a agressão no desporto: o efeito da modalidade, escalão competitivo e nível de sucesso

Few studies have explored anger, aggression and antisocial behaviour in sport competition. Therefore, this study intends to analyse the patterns of association between aggression-related variables, and the effect of type of sport, competitive categories and success levels. Two hundred and thirty one athletes from different types of sport completed measures of anger, aggression, anti-social behaviour, anger rumination and provocation. Results provided support for the link between anger, aggression and anti-social behaviour, as well as the importance of provocation and anger rumination in aggressive behaviours. Additionally, athletes from sports with higher levels of physical contact and from lower or younger competitive categories tended to be more aggressive than those from sports with lower levels of contact and from higher competitive levels. However, results failed to demonstrate any significant differences considering the achievement level. These findings provide an important basis to understand individual differences in aggressive-related variables (AU)

Pocos estudios han explorado la ira, la agresión y los comportamientos antisociales en el deporte. Asimismo, este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar el patrón de asociaciones que siguen las variables relacionadas con la agresión y el efecto que tiene el tipo deporte, y los niveles de competición y de éxito. Doscientos treinta y uno atletas de diferentes modalidades respondieron a medidas de ira , agresión, comportamiento antisocial, rumia de la ira y provocación. Los resultados apoyan una asociación entre la ira, la agresión, comportamiento antisocial, y la importancia de la rumiación de la ira y la provocación en el comportamiento agresivo. Además, los atletas de modalidades de mayor contacto físico y de categorías competitivas inferiores, juveniles y juniores, tienden a ser más agresivos en comparación con aquellos deportistas de las modalidades con menor contacto físico y de la categoría competitiva senior, respectivamente. Sin embargo , los resultados no mostraron diferencias significativas según el nivel de éxito o suceso. Estos resultados proporcionan una base importante para la comprensión de las diferencias individuales y situacionales en variables de rasgo (AU)

Poucos estudos exploraram a raiva, agressão e os comportamentos antissociais no desporto. Assim, este estudo pretende analisar o padrão de associações de variáveis relacionadas com a agressão e o efeito do tipo de modalidade desportiva, categorias competitivas e nível de sucesso. Duzentos e trinta e um atletas de várias modalidades responderam a medidas de raiva, agressão, comportamentos antissociais, ruminação da raiva e provocação. Os resultados suportam a associação entre raiva, agressão, comportamento antissocial, bem como a importância da ruminação da raiva e da provocação nos comportamentos agressivos. Adicionalmente, atletas de modalidades com maiores níveis de contacto físico e das categorias competitivas mais jovens tendiam a ser mais agressivos comparativamente com os de modalidades com menor contacto e atletas séniores. Contudo, os resultados não demonstraram diferenças significativas em função do nível de sucesso. Estes resultados constituem uma importante base para a compreensão de diferenças individuais em variáveis relacionadas com agressão (AU)

"Giving in to temptation": self-controlas a valuable but limited resource? / "Ceder à tentação": auto-controle como um recurso valioso mas limitado? / "Ceder a la tentación": el autocontrol como un recurso valioso pero limitado?

Life constantly challenges us with temptations that we have to resist to follow the rules of society and achieve our goals. The strength model of self-control (SC) posits that SC capacity relies on limited mental energy that can be depleted. In the present review article, we analyze and explore past and current research on the SC construct. Departing from different approaches to the conceptualization and operationalization of the SC construct, we review and synthetize the major findings on the strength model of SC and on the ego depletion effect. We also review past and new findings on both the benefits, mainly for life outcomes, and the costs of SC failures. Next, we present and discuss some recent alternative and complementary approaches to current SC perspectives. Finally, we conclude by presenting some theoretical and empirical considerations and implications in an attempt to encourage future research and applied intervention in the broad field of SC.

A vida desafia-nos constantemente com tentações que temos de resistir de modo a seguir as regras da sociedade e alcançar os nossos objetivos. O modelo força de auto-controle postula que a capacidade de auto-controle depende de uma energia mental limitada, que pode ser esgotada. No presente artigo de revisão analisamos e exploramos a investigação passada e atual acerca do constructo de auto-controle. Partindo de diferentes perspectivas da conceptualização e operacionalização em torno do constructo de auto-controle, revemos e sintetizamos os principais estudos do modelo da força do auto-controle, bem como do efeito da depleção do ego. Também revemos estudos passados e atuais acerca dos benefícios, sobretudo nas principais dimensões da vida, mas também para os custos das falhas no auto-controle. A seguir, apresentamos e discutimos algumas perspectivas alternativas e complementares para as abordagens ao auto-controle. Finalmente, algumas considerações e implicações teóricas e empíricas foram apresentadas, na tentativa de encorajar a investigação futura e a intervenção aplicada na área geral do auto-controle.

La vida constantemente nos desafía con tentaciones que tenemos que resistir con el fin de respetar las reglas de la sociedad y alcanzar nuestros objetivos. El modelo de fuerza del autocontrol postula que la capacidad de autocontrol depende de una energía mental limitada, la cual puede llegar a agotarse. En la presente revisión, analizamos y exploramos tanto la investigación pasada como la actual sobre el constructo de autocontrol. A partir de diferentes perspectivas de conceptualización y operacionalización alrededor del constructo de autocontrol, revisamos y sintetizamos los principales estudios sobre el modelo de la fuerza del autocontrol, así como el efecto del agotamiento del ego. También se revisan estudios anteriores y actuales sobre los beneficios, sobre todo en las principales dimensiones de la vida, pero también de cara a los costes del fracaso en el autocontrol. A continuación, presentamos y discutimos algunos enfoques alternativos y complementarios para el abordaje del autocontrol. Finalmente, algunas consideraciones e implicaciones teóricas y empíricas se presentaron buscando fomentar la investigación y la intervención aplicada en el área general del autocontrol.

"Giving in to temptation": self-controlas a valuable but limited resource? / "Ceder à tentação": auto-controle como um recurso valioso mas limitado? / "Ceder a la tentación": el autocontrol como un recurso valioso pero limitado?

Life constantly challenges us with temptations that we have to resist to follow the rules of society and achieve our goals. The strength model of self-control (SC) posits that SC capacity relies on limited mental energy that can be depleted. In the present review article, we analyze and explore past and current research on the SC construct. Departing from different approaches to the conceptualization and operationalization of the SC construct, we review and synthetize the major findings on the strength model of SC and on the ego depletion effect. We also review past and new findings on both the benefits, mainly for life outcomes, and the costs of SC failures. Next, we present and discuss some recent alternative and complementary approaches to current SC perspectives. Finally, we conclude by presenting some theoretical and empirical considerations and implications in an attempt to encourage future research and applied intervention in the broad field of SC.(AU)

A vida desafia-nos constantemente com tentações que temos de resistir de modo a seguir as regras da sociedade e alcançar os nossos objetivos. O modelo força de auto-controle postula que a capacidade de auto-controle depende de uma energia mental limitada, que pode ser esgotada. No presente artigo de revisão analisamos e exploramos a investigação passada e atual acerca do constructo de auto-controle. Partindo de diferentes perspectivas da conceptualização e operacionalização em torno do constructo de auto-controle, revemos e sintetizamos os principais estudos do modelo da força do auto-controle, bem como do efeito da depleção do ego. Também revemos estudos passados e atuais acerca dos benefícios, sobretudo nas principais dimensões da vida, mas também para os custos das falhas no auto-controle. A seguir, apresentamos e discutimos algumas perspectivas alternativas e complementares para as abordagens ao auto-controle. Finalmente, algumas considerações e implicações teóricas e empíricas foram apresentadas, na tentativa de encorajar a investigação futura e a intervenção aplicada na área geral do auto-controle.(AU)

La vida constantemente nos desafía con tentaciones que tenemos que resistir con el fin de respetar las reglas de la sociedad y alcanzar nuestros objetivos. El modelo de fuerza del autocontrol postula que la capacidad de autocontrol depende de una energía mental limitada, la cual puede llegar a agotarse. En la presente revisión, analizamos y exploramos tanto la investigación pasada como la actual sobre el constructo de autocontrol. A partir de diferentes perspectivas de conceptualización y operacionalización alrededor del constructo de autocontrol, revisamos y sintetizamos los principales estudios sobre el modelo de la fuerza del autocontrol, así como el efecto del agotamiento del ego. También se revisan estudios anteriores y actuales sobre los beneficios, sobre todo en las principales dimensiones de la vida, pero también de cara a los costes del fracaso en el autocontrol. A continuación, presentamos y discutimos algunos enfoques alternativos y complementarios para el abordaje del autocontrol. Finalmente, algunas consideraciones e implicaciones teóricas y empíricas se presentaron buscando fomentar la investigación y la intervención aplicada en el área general del autocontrol.(AU)