Psychological well-being during the recovery phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: Impact of intolerance of uncertainty, stress, and coping among south Korean adults.

PURPOSE: This study examined factors influencing psychological well-being (PWB) among South Korean adults during the recovery phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, it focused on the roles of COVID-19-related stress, intolerance of uncertainty (IU), and coping strategies.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was employed. A total of 218 South Korean adults aged 19-65 completed an online self-report survey comprising validated measures of PWB (Ryff's scale), COVID-19-related stress, IU, and coping strategies. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

Notably, IU exhibited the strongest negative association with PWB (β = -0.60, p < .001), whereas coping strategies were positively associated with PWB (β = 0.33, p < .001). Further, Further, COVID-19-related stress demonstrated a statistically significant coefficient in the adjusted model, which should be interpreted with caution. Although health-related variables, such as smoking and exercise, were not statistically significant, participants who did not smoke and those who engaged in regular physical activity tended to report greater emotional stability.

CONCLUSIONS

This study's findings highlight IU as a critical psychological risk factor in the post-pandemic context. Moreover, coping strategies played a protective role, particularly when aligned with cultural norms. These results suggest the need for mental health interventions that enhance tolerance for uncertainty and foster culturally responsive coping skills. Mental health support during the recovery phase should incorporate both cognitive and behavioral components.