Features of stress, psychological defense mechanisms and coping strategies in youth caused by the threat of COVID-19 disease

Kostrigin A. A., Kozlova L. V.

The authors address the problem of stress caused by the threat of COVID-19 disease. It is noted that the various consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are reflected on the mental state of people, causing negative emotions and stress. The article presents the results of a study of the peculiarities of experiencing stress, psychological defense mechanisms and coping strategies in Russian youth caused by the threat of COVID-19 disease. The methods are “Diagnostics of typologies of psychological defense mechanisms” (Life Style Index; R. Plutchik in adaptation of L.I. Wasserman, O. Eryshev, EB Klubova), “Coping behavior in stressful situations” (S. Norman, D.F. Endler, D.A. James, M.I. Parker; adapted version by T.A. Kryukova), “COVID Stress Scales” (S. Taylor, K. Landry, J. Asmudson and others; in the author's translation). It has been estimated that half of young people experience stress from COVID-19. It was found that the most significant factors causing stress are the very danger of infection, social-economic consequences and the fear of foreigners as a source of the disease (xenophobia). The most pronounced psychological defense mechanisms (projection and regression) and coping strategies (focused on emotions) in young people were revealed, aimed at reducing negative emotions and stress.

Keywords:stress, coronavirus, coping strategies, psychological protection, youth.