COVID-19: international study shows that compassion and social connection reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress
The study is part of an international project that aims to assess the various factors that may increase or mitigate the risk of mental health problems in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Abridged version in English by Diana Taborda
Compassion and connection with others reduce the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, social disconnection, marked by loneliness and fear of empathy enhances this psychological disorder. This is the conclusion of a multicentre study led by a researcher of the University of Coimbra (UC).
According to the study published in the scientific journal PLoS One, people who feel more socially secure and connected, “and who are able to be compassionate towards themselves and others and who receive compassion from others when facing suffering and adversity, show greater post-traumatic growth in the pandemic context", claims Marcela Matos, explaining that post-traumatic growth is the positive change that a person develops when faced with a traumatic event, that is, “when faced with suffering, people begin a process of transformation, promoting personal growth, resilience, and mental wellbeing”.
This study is part of an international project that aims to assess the various factors that may increase or mitigate the risk of mental health problems in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, in the scope of a consortium that brings together scientists from 21 countries.
Marcela Matos is a professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences and a researcher at the Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC).