Coping resources mediate the prospective associations between disrupted daily routines and persistent psychiatric symptoms: A population-based cohort study. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Tsz Wai; Liang, Li; Ho, Po Lam; Yeung, Ernest Tsun Fung; Hobfoll, Stevan E.; Hou, Wai Kai
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric research. Volume 152(2022)
• Page Start: 260
• Page End: 268
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Anxiety -- Depression -- Daily routines -- Conservation of resources -- Mental health; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; Maladies mentales -- Périodiques; Psychiatry; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.05.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3956

Abstract

Abstract: This study examined the mediating effects of coping resources in the prospective associations between daily routine disruptions in the acute phase of COVID-19 and persistent probable anxiety and depression. A prospective, population-representative cohort of 1318 Hong Kong Chinese respondents completed a baseline survey between February and July 2020 (T1) and a 1-year follow-up survey between March and August 2021 (T2). Respondents reported demographics and disruptions to primary and secondary daily routines at T1, coping resources (i.e., self-efficacy and meaning making) at T2, and anxiety and depressive symptoms at T1 and T2. We found that 8.1% and 10.0% of respondents reached cutoff scores for probable anxiety and depression respectively at both T1 and T2. Logistic regression showed that T1 daily routine disruptions were positively associated with heightened risk of persistent probable anxiety and depression amid COVID-19. Path analysis showed that 15.3% and 13.1% of the associations of daily routine disruptions with persistent probable anxiety and depression were explained by coping resources, respectively, while the direct routine-outcome associations remained significant. Daily routine disruptions predict higher odds of persistent probable anxiety and depression directly and partially through reducing coping resources. Sustainment of regular daily routines should be advocated and fostered to enhance coping resources and reduce the risk of poorer adjustment among the affected populations amid public health crises. Highlights: Daily routine disruptions predicted lower coping resources. Daily routine disruptions predicted higher risk of persistent psychiatric disorders. Self-efficacy mediated the positive associations between daily routine disruptions and persistent psychiatric disorders. Regular daily routines foster mental well-being by enhancing cognitive adaptation.