Psychophysiological Correlates of Coping Behavior in Adolescents Who Have Undergone COVID-19

Abstract

The global nature of the epidemiological situation associated with the spread of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 and the multidisciplinary nature of the problem of psychophysiological disorders in people who have suffered from this disease has led to the need for a comprehensive study of the factors affecting postcovid recovery. Taking into account the nature of the problem posed, the purpose of the presented work was to study the relationship of psychophysiological parameters with indicators of stress-overcoming (coping) behavior in adolescents who have undergone COVID-19. The study included 54 students of Kemerovo State University, who were divided into a group of COVID-19 patients and a group without symptoms of the disease. To assess coping behavior, the questionnaire «Ways of Coping Question-naire» was used (Folkman, Lazarus; adaptation of Kryukova et al.). An automated computer complex “PFK” was used to study psychophysiological indicators. The following psychophysiological indicators were evaluated: simple visual-motor reaction, complex visual-motor reaction, anticipations and delays in assessing the reaction to a moving object, concentration and volume of attention, brain performance, the level of functional mobility of nervous processes, short-term memory for numbers and words, random access memory. According to the results of the correlation analysis, the interrelations between avoidant forms of coping behavior, such as “distancing”, “escape-avoidance”, “positive reassessment” with indicators of memory, attention, mobility of nervous processes, the number of inaccurate reactions to a moving object and the working capacity of the brain were recorded, which indicates a link between the increase in psychophysiological and cognitive disorders and preference in choosing care from stressful situations after a disease. Deterioration of memory and functioning of the nervous system lead to more frequent requests for support from others to receive additional help from them. The weakening of the nervous system also leads to more frequent use of productive coping strategies “taking responsibility” and “planning problem solving”, which, at the same time, additionally make it possible to compensate for cognitive impairments by performing tasks more accurately. In the group that did not have symptoms of COVID-19, no significant correlations were found between coping avoidance strategies and psychophysiological or cognitive impairments. Based on the results obtained, it can be assumed that the restoration of cognitive functions during psychocorrective work will make it possible to actualize the patient's choice of productive coping strategies and switch to a healthy behavior model.