Brief Report: Protective or Risk Factor? Aftermath Effects of Perceived Social Support on Embitterment during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Koroma, Dennis; Znoj, Hansjörg; Soravia, Leila M (2023). Brief Report: Protective or Risk Factor? Aftermath Effects of Perceived Social Support on Embitterment during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Psychopathology, 56(4), pp. 329-334. Karger 10.1159/000528401

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There are indications for a raise in embitterment during the COVID-19 pandemic. As embitterment is related to felt social exclusion, pessimism, and a proneness toward COVID-19-related conspiracy beliefs, embitterment may be a key factor to consider in the current pandemic. However, perceived social support (PSS), which is associated with hope during the COVID-19 pandemic could serve as an important resilience factor for bitterness. We therefore investigated the effects of PSS on embitterment in aftermath of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. 52 individuals participated in our follow-up online study in October 2020 (T1) and May 2021 (T2). Embitterment (measured with the Berne Embitterment Inventory) and PSS were repeatedly assessed at T1 and T2. A double moderation analysis was conducted, using the PROCESS macro to examine the effects of embitterment, PSS, and age on embitterment 6 months later. The results suggest that the prediction of embitterment at T2 by embitterment at T1 was altered by changes in PSS. Here, in particular participants with high embitterment at T1 and a gain in PSS had higher embitterment scores at T2, whereas participants with low embitterment were found to have lower embitterment scores. This interaction effect was further influenced by the age of the participants, where the effects were more pronounced among middle-aged participants than younger participants. As embittered individuals seem to grow in bitterness with a gain in PSS, support is found for the notion that embittered individuals seeking allies supporting their mindset.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > University Psychiatric Services > University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy > Translational Research Center
07 Faculty of Human Sciences > Institute of Psychology > Psychological and Behavioral Health

UniBE Contributor:

Koroma, Dennis, Znoj, Hans Jörg, Soravia Bachofner, Leila Maria

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health
100 Philosophy > 150 Psychology

ISSN:

1423-033X

Publisher:

Karger

Language:

English

Submitter:

Pubmed Import

Date Deposited:

23 Jan 2023 14:44

Last Modified:

02 Jun 2023 00:12

Publisher DOI:

10.1159/000528401

PubMed ID:

36657425

Uncontrolled Keywords:

Age COVID-19 Coping Embitterment Perceived social support

BORIS DOI:

10.48350/177704

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/177704

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