Traumatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in an international sample: Contribution of fatalism to psychological distress and behavior change

Olga Bogolyubova; Andrea Sainz-Maza Fernandez; Belen Tristan Lopez; Pamela Portelli

doi:10.1016/j.ejtd.2021.100219

Traumatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in an international sample: Contribution of fatalism to psychological distress and behavior change

Eur J Trauma Dissociation. 2021 May;5(2):100219. doi: 10.1016/j.ejtd.2021.100219. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Authors

Olga Bogolyubova¹, Andrea Sainz-Maza Fernandez², Belen Tristan Lopez², Pamela Portelli¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Wellbeing, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta.
² Faculty of Psychology, University of Almería, San Urbano Road, s/n, 04120 La Cañada, Almería, España.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the traumatic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and to explore the contribution of fatalism to a) psychological distress and b) pandemic-related behavior change. Data for the study were collected via an anonymous online survey. The survey included questions about demographic characteristics, health status, pandemic-related stress, impact of COVID-19 on health and behavior, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and fatalism. The sample included 465 participants from 30 countries (mean age = 36.87, SD = 13.39, age range = 18 - 76; 80% female). While none of the study participants have been diagnosed with COVID-19, almost 25% knew someone who had received the diagnosis. The overwhelming majority (79%) had to make changes to their daily routine, and 48.82% of the sample reported moderate to severe PTSS. Fatalism was found to be a statistically significant predictor of PTSS in a multiple regression model and was also associated with lack of behavior changes in response to the pandemic. Our findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic is a traumatic event with a potential to affect mental health and well-being of individuals and communities. Fatalism may contribute to severity of psychological distress and diminish individuals' ability to engage in health-protective behaviors.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; Fatalism; Health behavior; Posttraumatic stress symptoms.