Data_Sheet_1_Psychological Distress, Fear and Coping Strategies During the Second and Third Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Southern Germany.PDF

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has imposed enormous psychological discomfort and fear across the globe, including Germany.
ObjectivesTo assess the levels of COVID-19 associated psychological distress and fear amongst Southern German population, and to identify their coping strategies.
MethodsA cross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire was conducted in healthcare and community settings in the region of Ulm, Southern Germany. Assessment inventories were the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS), and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), which were valid and reliable tools.
ResultsA total of 474 Individuals participated in the study. The mean age was 33.6 years, and 327 (69%) were females. Most participants (n = 381, 80.4%) had high levels of psychological distress, whereas only 5.1% had high levels of fear, and two-thirds of participants showed higher levels of coping. Moderate to very high levels of psychological distress were associated with being female, living alone, distress due to employment changes, experiencing financial impact, having multiple co-morbidities, being a smoker, increased alcohol use over the previous 6 months, contact with COVID-19 cases and healthcare providers for COVID-19-related stress. Individuals who were ≥60 years, lived with non-family members, had co-morbidities and visited a healthcare provider had higher levels of fear. Higher levels of education and income showed better coping amongst participants.
ConclusionPsychological distress was very high during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany and associated with low levels of coping. This study identified vulnerable groups of people, who should be given priorities for addressing their health and wellbeing in future crisis periods.

背景：新冠疫情（COVID-19 pandemic）在全球范围内引发了广泛的心理不适与恐惧情绪，德国亦受到波及。
目的：评估德国南部人群中与新冠疫情相关的心理困扰及恐惧水平，并明确其应对策略。
方法：本研究于德国南部乌尔姆地区的医疗与社区场景中开展横断面在线问卷调查。研究所使用的经信效度验证的评估工具包括凯斯勒心理困扰量表（Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, K-10）、简易弹性应对量表（Brief Resilient Coping Scale, BRCS）以及新冠恐惧量表（Fear of COVID-19 Scale, FCV-19S）。
结果：本研究共纳入474名研究对象，平均年龄为33.6岁，其中女性327名，占比69%。多数参与者（n=381，80.4%）存在高水平心理困扰，仅5.1%的人群表现出高度恐惧，另有三分之二的参与者具备较高水平的应对能力。中重度至极重度心理困扰与以下因素显著相关：女性身份、独居状态、因就业变动产生的心理困扰、遭受经济冲击、存在多种共病、吸烟行为、近6个月饮酒量增加、接触新冠感染者，以及因新冠相关压力接触医疗服务提供者。年龄≥60岁、与非家庭成员同住、存在共病且曾就医的人群，其恐惧水平更高。参与者的受教育程度与收入水平越高，应对能力越好。
结论：新冠疫情期间德国人群的心理困扰水平极高，且与应对能力低下显著相关。本研究明确了易感人群，在未来的危机事件中，应优先关注这部分人群的健康与福祉。