Ego-Resiliency and Coping Styles in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background and Objectives: In the difficult socio-economic situation of recent years, particular attention has been paid to factors that may have a protective effect on mental health. One of these factors is the individual resource known as ego-resiliency. The aim of the study was to assess ego-resiliency as a potential protective factor against stress symptoms and to determine effective coping strategies in a group of patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted from March 2020 to March 2022 among patients attending a Mental Health Clinic in the Upper Silesian metropolitan area of Poland. A total of 68 participants with a confirmed diagnosis of GAD (42 women, 26 men) completed the Ego-Resiliency Scale (ER89-R12), the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Results: The mean score on the ER89-R12 was 32.85 ± 6.52 points, with no significant gender differences. The mean PSS-10 score was 22.48 ± 5.61, corresponding to a moderate to high perceived stress level. Significant negative correlations were found between ego-resiliency and perceived stress, and positive correlations between ego-resiliency and task-focused coping. Conclusions: Ego-resiliency may serve as a protective factor against stress and promote adaptive, task-focused coping strategies in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Strengthening ego-resiliency may be a relevant therapeutic target in clinical interventions.