Beyond the Pandemic: Predicting Coping Styles in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Survivors Facing Health Threats

Positive adaptation to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and its accompanying containment measures have been documented in the post-pandemic context. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the World Health Organization's proclamation regarding the conclusion of the pandemic, instances of COVID-19 continue to be recorded globally, alongside the emergence of new threats such as Nipah and Mpox. The majority of research efforts have predominantly concentrated on the general population and at-risk populations, thereby creating a deficiency in comprehending the coping strategies employed by COVID-19 survivors who encountered numerous risks throughout the pandemic.

This investigation sought to rectify this gap by analyzing the influences of social support, familial support, and economic safety in predicting coping mechanisms among COVID-19 survivors in Kerala, India.

Using snowball sampling, data were collected from 427 COVID-19 survivors (Mean age = 28.8, Male = 54.56%, Bachelor's degree=56.90%) through an online survey. The participants completed self-reported measures of coping styles, family support, social support, and economic safety.

Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that social support and family support significantly predicted both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping among COVID-19 survivors. Additionally, being male and experiencing low economic safety were associated with avoidance coping.

The findings of this study underscore the importance of robust community and family support for individuals facing significant adversity. Along with the ongoing COVID-19 cases and the emergence of new health threats such as Nipah and Mpox highlight the continued relevance of effective coping mechanisms. Interventions focusing on family-centered crisis management should be prioritized, especially for family heads during crises such as pandemics, natural disasters, and social emergencies. Given their critical role in the well-being of their families, strengthening family and community support systems remains essential for enhancing resilience and effective coping among survivors of COVID-19 and other emerging health threats.