You can’t do anything about it, but you can make the best of it: a qualitative analysis of pandemic-related experiences in six European countries

Irina Zrnić Novaković; Brigitte Lueger-Schuster; Lucia Verginer; Helena Bakić; Dean Ajduković; Camila Borges; Margarida Figueiredo-Braga; Jana (Darejan) Javakhishvili; Lela Tsiskarishvili; Małgorzata Dragan; Nadia Nagórka; Xenia Anastassiou-Hadjicharalambous; Chrysanthi Lioupi; Annett Lotzin

doi:10.1080/20008198.2022.2065431

You can’t do anything about it, but you can make the best of it: a qualitative analysis of pandemic-related experiences in six European countries

Titel in Übersetzung: Puedes no ser capaz de hacer algo al respecto, pero puedes sacar lo mejor de la situación: Un análisis cualitativo de experiencias relacionadas con la pandemia en seis países europeos

Irina Zrnić Novaković, Brigitte Lueger-Schuster, Lucia Verginer, Helena Bakić, Dean Ajduković, Camila Borges, Margarida Figueiredo-Braga, Jana (Darejan) Javakhishvili, Lela Tsiskarishvili, Małgorzata Dragan, Nadia Nagórka, Xenia Anastassiou-Hadjicharalambous, Chrysanthi Lioupi, Annett Lotzin

Institut für Klinische und Gesundheitspsychologie

Veröffentlichungen: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift › Artikel › Peer Reviewed

Abstract

Antecedentes: El complejo sistema de factores estresantes relacionados con la pandemia por la COVID-19 ha afectado a la población mundial, generando un amplio rango de reacciones psicológicas. A pesar de que múltiples estudios han investigado el impacto sobre la salud mental de la COVID-19, las investigaciones cualitativas y las comparaciones entre países aún son infrecuentes.

Objetivo: Este estudio cualitativo buscó explorar los retos y las oportunidades autopercibidas asociadas a la COVID-19 en seis países europeos. El objetivo general fue el de brindar un panorama diferenciado de experiencias individuales subjetivas en las etapas tempranas de la pandemia.

Método: Este estudio incluyó a N = 7309 participantes de Austria, Croacia, Georgia, Grecia, Polonia y Portugal. Se empleó el análisis de contenido de Mayring para analizar preguntas abiertas acerca de experiencias estresantes, de experiencias positivas y negativas de la pandemia, y recomendaciones para afrontar la situación de la pandemia. Se empleó el software MAXQDA para la gestión y el análisis de la información.

Resultados: Los relatos de los participantes eran moderadamente consistentes entre los países. Los temas más prominentes respecto a los aspectos estresantes y negativos de la pandemia incluyeron a: restricciones y cambios en la vida diaria, angustia emocional, y trabajo y finanzas. Las respuestas sobre las consecuencias positivas de la pandemia se centraban principalmente alrededor de los temas de reflexión y crecimiento personal, oportunidad para realizar actividades significativas / placenteras, y beneficios en a nivel interpersonal. Los temas clave identificados a partir de las recomendaciones de los participantes para afrontar la pandemia incluyeron adaptaciones conductuales beneficiosas, estrategias cognitivo-emocionales beneficiosas, y soporte social.

Conclusiones: Los participantes experimentaron diversos desafíos, pero también compartieron varias consecuencias positivas de la pandemia y recomendaciones para afrontarla. Esta información de primera mano podría informar sobre las prácticas de salud mental a promover durante la COVID-19 o desafíos globales similares en los países participantes y, posiblemente, más allá.

Titel in Übersetzung	Puedes no ser capaz de hacer algo al respecto, pero puedes sacar lo mejor de la situación: Un análisis cualitativo de experiencias relacionadas con la pandemia en seis países europeos
Originalsprache	Englisch
Aufsatznummer	2065431
Seitenumfang	16
Fachzeitschrift	European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Jahrgang	13
Ausgabenummer	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2022.2065431
Publikationsstatus	Veröffentlicht - 20 Mai 2022

ÖFOS 2012

501010 Klinische Psychologie

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10.1080/20008198.2022.2065431Lizenz: CC BY-NC 4.0

https://phaidra.univie.ac.at/o:1593648Lizenz: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Zitationsweisen

Zrnić Novaković, I., Lueger-Schuster, B., Verginer, L., Bakić, H., Ajduković, D., Borges, C., Figueiredo-Braga, M., Javakhishvili, J., Tsiskarishvili, L., Dragan, M., Nagórka, N., Anastassiou-Hadjicharalambous, X., Lioupi, C., & Lotzin, A. (2022). You can’t do anything about it, but you can make the best of it: a qualitative analysis of pandemic-related experiences in six European countries. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 13(1), Artikel 2065431. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2022.2065431

@article{d9629271c7244f41a19748824ebdd983,

title = "You can{\textquoteright}t do anything about it, but you can make the best of it: a qualitative analysis of pandemic-related experiences in six European countries",

abstract = "Background: The complex system of stressors related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the global population, provoking a broad range of psychological reactions. Although numerous studies have investigated the mental health impact of COVID-19, qualitative research and cross-country comparisons are still rare. Objective: This qualitative study aimed to explore self-perceived challenges and opportunities related to COVID-19 across six European countries. The overall objective was to provide a differentiated picture of individual subjective experiences in the early stages of the pandemic. Method: The present study included 7309 participants from Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Poland, and Portugal. We performed qualitative content analysis according to Mayring analyse open-ended questions regarding stressful events, positive and negative aspects of the pandemic, and recommendations to cope with the pandemic situation. MAXQDA software was used for data management and analysis. Results: Participants{\textquoteright} accounts were moderately consistent across the countries. The most prominent themes regarding stressful and negative pandemic aspects included: Restrictions and changes in daily life, Emotional distress, and Work and finances. Answers about positive pandemic consequences were mainly centred around the themes Reflection and growth, Opportunity for meaningful/enjoyable activities, and Benefits on interpersonal level. Key themes identified from participants{\textquoteright} recommendations to cope with the pandemic included Beneficial behavioural adjustment, Beneficial cognitive–emotional strategies, and Social support. Conclusions: Participants experienced various challenges, but also shared several positive pandemic consequences and recommendations to cope with the pandemic. These first-hand data could inform mental health practices to promote well-being during COVID-19 and similar global challenges in the participating countries and possibly beyond. HIGHLIGHTS: We examined COVID-19-related experiences in 7309 adults from six European countries. Besides challenges, participants identified many positive pandemic consequences. Participants{\textquoteright} recommendations to cope with COVID-19 included behavioural and cognitive–emotional strategies.",

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Zrnić Novaković, I , Lueger-Schuster, B , Verginer, L, Bakić, H, Ajduković, D, Borges, C, Figueiredo-Braga, M, Javakhishvili, J, Tsiskarishvili, L, Dragan, M, Nagórka, N, Anastassiou-Hadjicharalambous, X, Lioupi, C & Lotzin, A 2022, 'You can’t do anything about it, but you can make the best of it: a qualitative analysis of pandemic-related experiences in six European countries', European Journal of Psychotraumatology, Jg. 13, Nr. 1, 2065431. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2022.2065431

You can’t do anything about it, but you can make the best of it: a qualitative analysis of pandemic-related experiences in six European countries. / Zrnić Novaković, Irina ; Lueger-Schuster, Brigitte ; Verginer, Lucia et al.
in: European Journal of Psychotraumatology, Band 13, Nr. 1, 2065431, 20.05.2022.

Veröffentlichungen: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift › Artikel › Peer Reviewed

TY - JOUR

T1 - You can’t do anything about it, but you can make the best of it

T2 - a qualitative analysis of pandemic-related experiences in six European countries

AU - Zrnić Novaković, Irina

AU - Lueger-Schuster, Brigitte

AU - Verginer, Lucia

AU - Bakić, Helena

AU - Ajduković, Dean

AU - Borges, Camila

AU - Figueiredo-Braga, Margarida

AU - Javakhishvili, Jana (Darejan)

AU - Tsiskarishvili, Lela

AU - Dragan, Małgorzata

AU - Nagórka, Nadia

AU - Anastassiou-Hadjicharalambous, Xenia

AU - Lioupi, Chrysanthi

AU - Lotzin, Annett

PY - 2022/5/20

Y1 - 2022/5/20

N2 - Background: The complex system of stressors related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the global population, provoking a broad range of psychological reactions. Although numerous studies have investigated the mental health impact of COVID-19, qualitative research and cross-country comparisons are still rare. Objective: This qualitative study aimed to explore self-perceived challenges and opportunities related to COVID-19 across six European countries. The overall objective was to provide a differentiated picture of individual subjective experiences in the early stages of the pandemic. Method: The present study included 7309 participants from Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Poland, and Portugal. We performed qualitative content analysis according to Mayring analyse open-ended questions regarding stressful events, positive and negative aspects of the pandemic, and recommendations to cope with the pandemic situation. MAXQDA software was used for data management and analysis. Results: Participants’ accounts were moderately consistent across the countries. The most prominent themes regarding stressful and negative pandemic aspects included: Restrictions and changes in daily life, Emotional distress, and Work and finances. Answers about positive pandemic consequences were mainly centred around the themes Reflection and growth, Opportunity for meaningful/enjoyable activities, and Benefits on interpersonal level. Key themes identified from participants’ recommendations to cope with the pandemic included Beneficial behavioural adjustment, Beneficial cognitive–emotional strategies, and Social support. Conclusions: Participants experienced various challenges, but also shared several positive pandemic consequences and recommendations to cope with the pandemic. These first-hand data could inform mental health practices to promote well-being during COVID-19 and similar global challenges in the participating countries and possibly beyond. HIGHLIGHTS: We examined COVID-19-related experiences in 7309 adults from six European countries. Besides challenges, participants identified many positive pandemic consequences. Participants’ recommendations to cope with COVID-19 included behavioural and cognitive–emotional strategies.

AB - Background: The complex system of stressors related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the global population, provoking a broad range of psychological reactions. Although numerous studies have investigated the mental health impact of COVID-19, qualitative research and cross-country comparisons are still rare. Objective: This qualitative study aimed to explore self-perceived challenges and opportunities related to COVID-19 across six European countries. The overall objective was to provide a differentiated picture of individual subjective experiences in the early stages of the pandemic. Method: The present study included 7309 participants from Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Poland, and Portugal. We performed qualitative content analysis according to Mayring analyse open-ended questions regarding stressful events, positive and negative aspects of the pandemic, and recommendations to cope with the pandemic situation. MAXQDA software was used for data management and analysis. Results: Participants’ accounts were moderately consistent across the countries. The most prominent themes regarding stressful and negative pandemic aspects included: Restrictions and changes in daily life, Emotional distress, and Work and finances. Answers about positive pandemic consequences were mainly centred around the themes Reflection and growth, Opportunity for meaningful/enjoyable activities, and Benefits on interpersonal level. Key themes identified from participants’ recommendations to cope with the pandemic included Beneficial behavioural adjustment, Beneficial cognitive–emotional strategies, and Social support. Conclusions: Participants experienced various challenges, but also shared several positive pandemic consequences and recommendations to cope with the pandemic. These first-hand data could inform mental health practices to promote well-being during COVID-19 and similar global challenges in the participating countries and possibly beyond. HIGHLIGHTS: We examined COVID-19-related experiences in 7309 adults from six European countries. Besides challenges, participants identified many positive pandemic consequences. Participants’ recommendations to cope with COVID-19 included behavioural and cognitive–emotional strategies.

KW - COVID-19

KW - pandemic

KW - coronavirus

KW - mental health

KW - coping

KW - positive aspects

KW - cross-country study

KW - qualitative content analysis

KW - ASSOCIATION

KW - SYMPTOMS

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85130750096

U2 - 10.1080/20008198.2022.2065431

DO - 10.1080/20008198.2022.2065431

M3 - Article

SN - 2000-8066

VL - 13

JO - European Journal of Psychotraumatology

JF - European Journal of Psychotraumatology

IS - 1

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ER -