Award Date

5-1-2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Social and Behavioral Health

First Committee Member

Melva Thompson-Robinson

Second Committee Member

Sheniz Moonie

Third Committee Member

Gabriela Buccini

Fourth Committee Member

Reimund Serafica

Number of Pages

153

Abstract

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, individuals in the United States (U.S.) and across the globe have experienced unprecedented levels of stress. The purpose of this study is to understand the stress experienced among adults in the U.S. and which coping processes affect their overall emotional well-being. Guided by Lazarus and Folkman’s (1987) Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC), this study conducted a secondary data analysis (n=404) of adults across the U.S who completed an online survey examining their experiences with stress and coping. A Pearson correlation was utilized to explore the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms. Paired samples t-tests were conducted to evaluate stress, resilience, and depressive symptoms before and since COVID-19. Multiple regressions were calculated to understand the impact of cognitive appraisal on the eight types of coping. Participants primarily self-identified as White (40.3%), female (77.6%), with a mean age of 30.61 (13.76%), and Christian (43.1%). Results revealed gender, age, and racial differences in how adults cope with the stress of COVID-19. Male adults primarily utilized planful problem-solving (M = 5.6, SD = 3.5), while female adults primarily employed escape avoidance (M = 4.54, SD = 3.0). Adults aged 36–55 years old (M = 4.3, SD = 2.5) as well as 55 and older (M = 4.0, SD = 3.0) predominantly used planful problem solving compared to younger adults (18–35) who utilized escape avoidance (M = 5.0, SD = 2.9). Whites (M = 4.4, SD = 3.0), American Indians/Alaska Natives (M = 5.9 SD = 3.0), Asians (M = 5.1, SD = 2.9), Other (M = 4.3, SD = 3.4), and Multiracial groups (M = 4.6, SD = 3.1) predominantly used escape avoidance, while Black/African Americans (M = 4.9, SD = 2.5) and Pacific Islanders (M = 5.4, SD = 2.5) primarily used planful problem-solving. A small, positive correlation between COVID-19 stressors and depression symptoms (r = 0.251, n = 397, p

Keywords

adults; Coping; COVID-19; Depressive symptoms; Stress; Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Disciplines

Environmental Health | Environmental Health and Protection

File Format

pdf

File Size

1808 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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