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Examining the Associations between Psychological Flexibility, Mindfulness, Psychosomatic Functioning, and Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Path Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Benita Wielgus

    (The Education of Research and Development Center, Babinski Clinical Hospital, 30-393 Cracow, Poland)

  • Witold Urban

    (Department of Psychiatry, Rydygier Specialist Hospital, 31-826 Cracow, Poland)

  • Aleksandra Patriak

    (Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, 30-060 Cracow, Poland)

  • Łukasz Cichocki

    (Department of Psychiatry, Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Cracow Academy, 30-705 Cracow, Poland)

Abstract

Social distancing plays a leading role in controlling the spread of coronavirus. However, prolonged lockdown can lead to negative consequences in terms of mental health. The goal of the research is to examine the relationship between anxiety and general psychosomatic functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of psychological flexibility and mindfulness is also considered. Variables were measured with self-report questionnaires and symptom checklists. The sample included 170 people (M = 27.79, SD = 8.16). Pearson’s correlation, stepwise regression, and path analysis were conducted. The results showed a significant positive relationship between state anxiety and somatic and psychological responses to the pandemic. Path analysis revealed that mindfulness had a direct negative impact on and decreased the level of state anxiety (b = −0.22, p = 0.002), whereas psychological flexibility influenced the variable indirectly (b = 0.23, p = 0.002) by enhancing psychosomatic functioning (b = −0.64, p < 0.001). Psychological flexibility and mindfulness may mediate the development of mental disorders and facilitate achieving overall wellbeing. The study points to the usefulness of mindfulness practice as a form of self-help with anxiety symptoms; this is crucial during the pandemic because contact with clients is restricted.

Suggested Citation

  • Benita Wielgus & Witold Urban & Aleksandra Patriak & Łukasz Cichocki, 2020. "Examining the Associations between Psychological Flexibility, Mindfulness, Psychosomatic Functioning, and Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Path Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:8764-:d:451009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cuiyan Wang & Riyu Pan & Xiaoyang Wan & Yilin Tan & Linkang Xu & Cyrus S. Ho & Roger C. Ho, 2020. "Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-25, March.
    2. Julio Torales & Marcelo O’Higgins & João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia & Antonio Ventriglio, 2020. "The outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus and its impact on global mental health," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(4), pages 317-320, June.
    3. Alessio Matiz & Franco Fabbro & Andrea Paschetto & Damiano Cantone & Anselmo Roberto Paolone & Cristiano Crescentini, 2020. "Positive Impact of Mindfulness Meditation on Mental Health of Female Teachers during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-22, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuen Yu Chong & Wai Tong Chien & Ho Yu Cheng & Demetris Lamnisos & Jeļena Ļubenko & Giovambattista Presti & Valeria Squatrito & Marios Constantinou & Christiana Nicolaou & Savvas Papacostas & Gökçen A, 2021. "Patterns of Psychological Responses among the Public during the Early Phase of COVID-19: A Cross-Regional Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Elie Yammine & Abbas Rammal, 2021. "Path Analysis to Assess Socio-Economic and Mitigation Measure Determinants for Daily Coronavirus Infections," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-19, September.
    3. Iina Savolainen & Reetta Oksa & Nina Savela & Magdalena Celuch & Atte Oksanen, 2021. "COVID-19 Anxiety—A Longitudinal Survey Study of Psychological and Situational Risks among Finnish Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-13, January.

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