Adaptation to COVID-19: Through the Lens of Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing stressor. One way people adapt to stressors is through the deployment of coping and defense mechanisms. Initially thought to be the same process, coping and defense mechanisms are theoretically unique variables affecting stress outcomes (Cramer, 2008; Kramer, 2010). Practically speaking, defenses and coping have been assessed through several measures and statistical approaches, including regression analysis (Vally et al., 2020), longitudinal analysis (Diehl et al., 2014), and factor analysis (Maricutoiu & Crasovan, 2016). The study sought to assess differences between coping and defenses through adjustment to the COVID-19 pandemic while also assessing how rumination and social support may mediate/moderate relationships. We utilized a sample of 695 participants over the age of 18. Using descriptives, correlations, multiple regressions, and moderation analysis using the Hayes PROCESS macro, results from the study confirm that coping and defense mechanisms are statistically significant, unique variables affecting both psychological and functional impact of COVID-19. Coping and defense use increased with COVID-19 impact regardless of type. COVID-19 distress increased with psychological impact, functional impact, and exposure to COVID-19. The discrepancy between psychological impact and functional impact was not predicted but suggests the effects of COVID-19 are more complex than expected. There are patterns of specific defense and coping activation that predict psychological impact, functional impact, and rumination. This study found evidence that rumination partially mediates the relationship between COVID-19 psychological impact and overall defensiveness, Emotion-Focused coping, and Avoidance coping. This study concludes that coping and defenses are two unique variables with varying patterns of activation through COVID-19 Distress, psychological impact, functional impact, exposure, presence of rumination, and to a smaller degree, rumination. Both coping and defenses should be assessed in future research on adjustment to COVID-19.