Download This PaperHow Personality Functioning Relates to Psychological Distress and Behavioral Attitudes During the Covid-19 Pandemic
21 Pages Posted: 14 Feb 2023
Abstract
Functional aspects of personality are crucial for experiencing and handling psychological distress. With the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus and the subsequent installation of mitigation rules of social distancing, severe psycho-social challenges were posed upon people. Research has shown that individuals react differently to these challenges. This study aimed to investigate the role of dimensional aspects of personality during the Covid-19 pandemic. Specifically, we examined how personality functioning, defense mechanisms, and narcissism were related to psychological distress and cognitive and behavioral attitudes towards the rules of social distancing. In a non-clinical sample (N=254), Level of Personality Functioning Scale, Inventory of Personality Organization, Defense Style Questionnaire and Pathological Narcissism Inventory were used for the dimensional assessment of personality. Structural equation models with reference and residual factors were calculated. Impairments in Personality Functioning and vulnerable narcissism showed significant positive relationships, adaptive defense mechanisms significant negative relationships with psychological distress during the pandemic. High expressions in aggression and low moral values showed distinct negative relationships with psychological distress due to social distancing. Adaptive defense mechanisms were significantly negatively related to psychological distress. Greater impairment in Personality Organization was related to a tendency to ignore the rules of social distancing.
Keywords: Personality Functioning, Personality Organization, defense mechanisms, narcissism, COVID-19, Corona pandemic, psychological distress, social distancing
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