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Studies have suggested that social workers being indirectly exposed to their patients’ COVID-19-related traumatic experiences may have both negative (i.e. secondary traumatic stress symptoms; STS) and positive psychological consequences (i.e. resilience and vicarious post-traumatic growth (VPTG)). However, less is known about the coping strategies that they use to effectively respond to COVID-19-related challenges. The purpose of this study is to examine the coping strategies that social workers use and their differential association with VPTG, resilience, and STS. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a sample of 133 social workers (86.7% women, mean age 38.1 ± 9.4 years). They completed the Brief COPE, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) to measure coping strategies, STS, resilience, and VPTG, respectively. Social workers demonstrated moderate levels of STS, VPTG, and resilience. Denial was associated with STS, positive reframing, planning, and self-blame (inversely) were associated with resilience, and instrumental support and religious coping were associated with VPTG. The results of this study provide insights on how healthcare policies and interventions can best support professionals during current and future pandemics by alleviating levels of STS and enhancing resilience and VPTG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theory of posttraumatic growth (PTG) proposes that from life difficulties positive changes can happen, such as deepened personal relationships and an awareness of new possibilities in life. PTG can occur naturally or can be facilitated. This study aimed to promote PTG through a school-based intervention of eight sessions of 45 min each with mindfulness and character strengths practices (the so-called "The exploration of happiness during the COVID-19 pandemic"). The study conducted assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up (i.e., one month after the intervention). The post-intervention results showed that the participants in the intervention group experienced an improvement in PTG, well-being, mindfulness, strengths use, and PTS symptoms compared to the children in the control group. Furthermore, these positive changes were sustained at follow-up. The findings of this study highlight that mindfulness-based strengths practices can increase positive outcomes (i.e., well-being, posttraumatic growth) and reduce negative psychological symptoms (PTS) among children. The implications for theory and practice are discussed, and detailed appendices for practitioners are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to (i) compare the rates of perceived stress, post‐traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and other potential correlates (i.e., resilience, social support, coping strategies, and loneliness) in the general population between the two COVID‐19 lockdowns in Greece and (ii) explore risk and protective factors of PTSS. Online data were collected amid the first (timepoint 1‐T1) and second lockdown (timepoint 2‐T2) by 1009 and 352 participants, respectively. The PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 and the Perceived Stress Scale measured levels of PTSS and perceived stress. The Brief Resilience Scale, the COPE, the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument measured resilience, coping strategies, loneliness, and social support, respectively. Higher levels of PTSS and perceived stress were reported during T2, compared to T1. Clinically significant levels of PTSS were presented by 26.1% and 35.5% of the participants during T1 and T2, respectively. Higher levels of loneliness and use of maladaptive coping strategies and lower levels of social support, resilience and use of adaptive coping strategies were also found. During both lockdowns, PTSS were predicted by perceived stress, loneliness, reduced resilience and the coping strategies of denial and self‐blame. PTSS were associated with younger age, female gender, being single, not having children, and the evaluation of the pandemic as a crisis. The findings highlight the significant public mental health concerns during the COVID‐19 lockdowns. Understanding the risk and protective factors against PTSS and focusing on vulnerable populations should be prioritized by the governments worldwide in the development of evidence‐based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]