A profile analysis of COVID-19 stress-related reactions: The importance of early childhood abuse, psychopathology, and interpersonal relationships.

BACKGROUND

There is little argument that COVID-19 is potentially highly stressful for many people, however, little research has broken down COVID-19-related distress into different aspects clustering together, and how these clusters differ in terms of the vulnerability of the individuals.

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of the present study was to identify distinct profiles of individuals' reactions to COVID-19-related stress, and analyze potential differences and risk and protective factors associated with these profiles in relation to childhood abuse, psychopathology, and interpersonal relationships.

PARTICIPANTS AND

SETTING

Data was collected online among a convenience sample of 914 men and women in Israel.

METHODS

A Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) for estimating distinct profiles in people's COVID-19-related distress was applied. Next, profiles were compared in childhood abuse, psychopathology, perceived social support and relationship satisfaction.

RESULTS

Five distinct profiles were identified: The distressed (23.75%), the worried (38.96%), the financially and socially distressed (15.20%), the caregivers (13.65%), and the untroubled (8.44Profiles in which individuals had more COVID-19 related distress are characterized by more childhood abuse, psychopathology, and less social support and relationship satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

An assessment of the psychological implications of COVID-19 (when screening the population and creating prevention/intervention programs) should take into account the different responses individuals have when facing COVID-19, and their vulnerability, including their history of abuse, psychopathology, social support and relationship satisfaction, so that these programs will be better tailored to each type of distress experienced.