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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Psychological distress and coping mechanisms due to the COVID-19 pandemic among the adult population in Bo Sierra Leone. A cross-sectional study
PLOS Mental Health, Vol.2(2), pp.1-21
07/02/2025
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Abstract
Psychological distress is widely recognized as a significant health concern that poses a potential risk to the overall mental wellbeing of individuals. This study investigated the psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the coping methods employed by adults in Bo district, Sierra Leone. This research used a snapshot approach (cross-sectional design) to describe the prevalence of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic among 502 adults residing in Bo district, Sierra Leone. We collected study data using a structured questionnaire that comprised of participant’s demographics, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Fear of COVID-19Scale (FCV-19S), Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS), and Duke-UNC Functional Social Support instrument. We used backward stepwise binary logistic regression to identify the key factors linked to psychological distress. The average psychological stress score was 22.96±11.35, with approximately one-third of participants (n = 160, 31.9%) exhibiting very high levels of psychological distress. The mean score for fear of COVID-19 was 29.71±6.84, with the majority (n = 420,83.7%) being fearful of COVID-19. The mean score for the Brief Resilient Coping Mechanism was 12.49±4.51, with half of the participants considered low resilient copers (n = 257,51.2%). The mean score for functional social support was 25.35±8.85, with (n = 240, 47.8%) having increased social support. Individuals with a known health condition [aOR = 4.415, 95% CI = 1.859–10.484], who provided care to a family member/patient with known/suspected COVID-19 [aOR = 4.485, 95% CI = 1.575–12.775], who knew someone who died from COVID-19 [aOR = 3.117, 95% CI = 1.579–6.154], with an increased fear of COVID-19 [aOR = 4.344, 95% CI = 2.199–8.580] had higher odds of moderate to severe psychological distress. Moderate resilient copers [aOR = 0.523, 95% CI = 0.296–0.925] had lower odds of psychological distress compared to the low resilient copers. Participants with increased social support had lower odds of psychological distress than those with low support [aOR = 0.253, 95% CI = 0.147–0.434]. A significant proportion of the study cohort residing in Bo, Sierra Leone, experienced high levels of mental stress because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study shows the importance of designing and implementing programs that minimize COVID-19 stressors and enhance the coping skills and social support network.
Details
- Title
- Psychological distress and coping mechanisms due to the COVID-19 pandemic among the adult population in Bo Sierra Leone. A cross-sectional study
- Creators
- Peter Bai James (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityAugustus Osborne (Corresponding Author) - Njala UniversityFatmata Bah (Author) - Njala UniversityAbdulai Bah (Author) - University of Sierra LeoneJia Bainga Kangbai - Njala UniversityGeorge Yendawa - Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine,
- Publication Details
- PLOS Mental Health, Vol.2(2), pp.1-21
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science
- Identifiers
- 991013259210602368
- Copyright
- © 2025 James et al.
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article