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How the COVID-19 Pandemic Changes the Subjective Perception of Meaning Related to Different Areas of Life in Austrian Psychotherapists and Patients

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  • Elke Humer

    (Department for Psychotherapy and Biopsychosocial Health, Danube University Krems, 3500 Krems, Austria)

  • Wolfgang Schimböck

    (ABILE-Viktor Frankl Education Austria, 3390 Melk, Austria)

  • Ida-Maria Kisler

    (ABILE-Viktor Frankl Education Austria, 3390 Melk, Austria)

  • Petra Schadenhofer

    (ABILE-Viktor Frankl Education Austria, 3390 Melk, Austria
    Telephone Emergency Service—Lower Austria (TelefonSeelsorge NÖ), Diocese St. Pölten, 3100 St. Pölten, Austria)

  • Christoph Pieh

    (Department for Psychotherapy and Biopsychosocial Health, Danube University Krems, 3500 Krems, Austria)

  • Thomas Probst

    (Department for Psychotherapy and Biopsychosocial Health, Danube University Krems, 3500 Krems, Austria)

Abstract

We assessed psychotherapists’ and patients’ ratings of their subjective perception of meaning related to different areas of life before the COVID-19 pandemic as compared to the time during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a quantitative cross-sectional study, Austrian psychotherapists ( N = 222) were recruited by e-mail, who in turn recruited their patients ( N = 139). Therapists and patients were asked to rate the meaning of different areas of life before as well as during the COVID-19 crisis. The psychotherapists showed an overall higher rating of the importance of areas of life compared to their patients ( p < 0.001). The rating of the importance of the domains of living was differently affected by the COVID-19 situation ( p < 0.001). While the meaning of physical and mental health during COVID-19 was rated higher than before, the opposite was observed for work ( p < 0.001). No differences were found for relationships and friends, as well as for hobbies. As no interactions between perspective (therapists vs. patients), area of life, and time point (before vs. during COVID-19) were observed, it can be concluded that the COVID-19 situation changed the subjective attribution of meaning concerning different aspects of life similarly in therapists as well as patients. While mental and physical health gained subjective importance, the opposite was observed for work.

Suggested Citation

  • Elke Humer & Wolfgang Schimböck & Ida-Maria Kisler & Petra Schadenhofer & Christoph Pieh & Thomas Probst, 2020. "How the COVID-19 Pandemic Changes the Subjective Perception of Meaning Related to Different Areas of Life in Austrian Psychotherapists and Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8600-:d:447696
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elke Humer & Christoph Pieh & Martin Kuska & Antonia Barke & Bettina K. Doering & Katharina Gossmann & Radek Trnka & Zdenek Meier & Natalia Kascakova & Peter Tavel & Thomas Probst, 2020. "Provision of Psychotherapy during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Czech, German and Slovak Psychotherapists," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-15, July.
    2. Thomas Probst & Peter Stippl & Christoph Pieh, 2020. "Changes in Provision of Psychotherapy in the Early Weeks of the COVID-19 Lockdown in Austria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-10, May.
    3. Elke Humer & Peter Stippl & Christoph Pieh & Wolfgang Schimböck & Thomas Probst, 2020. "Psychotherapy via the Internet: What Programs Do Psychotherapists Use, How Well-Informed Do They Feel, and What Are Their Wishes for Continuous Education?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-9, November.
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    1. Elke Humer & Christoph Pieh & Thomas Probst & Ida-Maria Kisler & Wolfgang Schimböck & Petra Schadenhofer, 2021. "Telephone Emergency Service 142 (TelefonSeelsorge) during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Survey among Counselors in Austria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-10, February.

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