Comparison of stress perceptions and coping strategies among students exposed to COVID-19 in countries with different approaches to anti-pandemic activities

Background
Assessing stress and ways of coping with it during the COVID-19 pandemic may serve to mitigate the negative effects associated with the course of the disease.

Objectives
The objective was to compare stress perception and coping strategies in students affected and those not affected by COVID-19 from neighbouring countries with diverse anti-pandemic policies.

Material and methods
A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 4,983 students (1,464 males and 3,519 females) from four neighbouring countries between April and May 2022. Students from countries implementing similar restrictive measures to prevent COVID-19 infections were grouped together (Group I: 1,822 students from northeastern Poland, 232 from Lithuania and 1,896 from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad). Group II consisted of 1,033 students from Belarus, where minimal restrictive actions were implemented. The study assessed stress levels and coping strategies in students who had recovered from COVID-19. Standard questionnaires (Perceived Stress Scale-10 and Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced) were used for data collection.

Results
The COVID-19 incidence rate was lower among students in Group I compared to Group II, with rates of 34.2% and 39.7%, respectively. Additionally, the vaccination rate of 71.7% was higher in Group I than the 39.1% in Group II. Anti-pandemic policy-wise, the study showed that participants from Belarus were significantly more likely to try to “escape reality” and less actively engaging in stress coping activities. They had higher rates of helplessness and problem avoidance.

Conclusions
The study provides a starting point for further transnational research aimed at assessing the mental health of students and developing optimal actions for public health in populations affected by COVID-19.