Perceived Stress and Psychological Well-Being in Adult Individuals during COVID-19: The Mediating Role of Coping Strategies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of coping strategies in the relationship between adult individuals' perceived stress levels and their psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study data was collected by administering the measurement tools to 259 adult individuals between May 1, 2020, and May 30, 2020, the dates when the quarantine measures were strictly implemented in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Perceived Stress Scale, the COPE Inventory, and Psychological Well-Being Scale were used for data collection. The model created to determine the direct and indirect relationships between the study variables was tested with path analysis. According to the analysis, the model has a good fit with the data (χ2=43.554, p = .126 > .05, df=34, χ2/sd=1.281, RMSEA = .033, SRMR = .0358, CFI = .993, TLI = .964), and perceived stress was significantly predicted by some of the coping strategies and psychological well-being. In addition, coping strategies had a mediating effect between perceived stress and psychological well-being. The findings showed that while stress is a trigger factor that supports new personal development for some, it can have a compelling effect on others. The way stress is perceived and the coping strategies employed as a result affect the well-being of individuals.