Exploring the mediating role of coping strategies in COVID-19–related stress and posttraumatic growth
BMC Psychology, cilt.14, sa.1, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 14 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1186/s40359-026-05002-6
- Dergi Adı: BMC Psychology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Directory of Open Access Journals, Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Coping, COVID-19, Posttraumatic growth, Traumatic stress
- Erzincan Binali Yıldırım Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Mental health and psychosocial consequences of pandemics are matters of significant concern. This correlational study examined the associations among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related traumatic stress, coping strategies, and posttraumatic growth in a sample of 864 adults in Türkiye. Weak but statistically significant positive associations were observed among traumatic stress, coping strategies, and posttraumatic growth. Adaptive coping strategies were associated with a significant indirect pathway between COVID-19–related traumatic stress and posttraumatic growth, whereas maladaptive coping strategies were not. Similar indirect patterns were observed for the posttraumatic growth subdimensions of change in self-perception, change in life philosophy, and change in relationships with others. Overall, the findings suggest that coping strategies may function as an associative pathway linking pandemic-related stress with perceived psychological growth. From a practical perspective, promoting adaptive coping strategies may support psychological adjustment in the aftermath of large-scale public health crises.