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The effects of secondary stressors, social identity, and social support on perceived stress and resilience: Findings from the COVID-19 pandemic

Ntontis, Evangelos; Blackburn, Angélique M.; Han, Hyemin; Stöckli, Sabrina; Milfont, Taciano L.; Tuominen, Jarno; Griffin, Siobhán M.; Ikizer, Gözde; Jeftic, Alma; Chrona, Stavroula; Nasheedha, Aishath; Liutsko, Liudmila; Vestergren, Sara

Authors

Evangelos Ntontis

Angélique M. Blackburn

Hyemin Han

Sabrina Stöckli

Taciano L. Milfont

Jarno Tuominen

Siobhán M. Griffin

Gözde Ikizer

Alma Jeftic

Stavroula Chrona

Aishath Nasheedha

Liudmila Liutsko



Abstract

Primary stressors are direct outcomes of extreme events (e.g., viruses, floodwater) whereas secondary stressors stem from pre-disaster life circumstances and societal arrangements (e.g., illness, problematic pre-disaster policies) or from inefficient responses to the extreme event. Secondary stressors can cause significant long-term damage to people affected but are also tractable and amenable to change. In this study we explored the association between secondary stressors, social identity processes, social support, and perceived stress and resilience. Pre-registered analyses of data from the COVIDiSTRESS Global Survey Round II (N = 14,600; 43 countries) show that secondary stressors are positively associated with perceived stress and negatively associated with resilience, even when controlling for the effects of primary stressors. Being a woman or having lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with higher exposure to secondary stressors, higher perceived stress, and lower resilience. Importantly, social identification is positively associated with expected support and with increased resilience and lower perceived stress. However, neither gender, SES, or social identification moderated the relationship between secondary stressors and perceived stress and resilience. In conclusion, systemic reforms and the availability of social support are paramount to reducing the effects of secondary stressors.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 1, 2023
Online Publication Date Apr 6, 2023
Publication Date Jun 1, 2023
Publicly Available Date Apr 7, 2025
Journal Journal of Environmental Psychology
Print ISSN 0272-4944
Electronic ISSN 1522-9610
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 88
Article Number 102007
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102007
Keywords COVID-19; Primary stressors; Resilience; Secondary stressors; Social identity; Stress; Social support

Files

This file is under embargo until Apr 7, 2025 due to copyright restrictions.



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