Immunity, self-regulation, and COVID-related distress two years following the outburst of the pandemic

The present study aimed to assess pandemic-related psychological distress in Greek adults two years after the pandemic's onset and examine its relationship with COVID-related immunity and self-regulation factors. Three indicators of COVID-related distress were measured: COVID anxiety, COVID-related perceived stress, and perceived changes in emotional quality of life. Out of the 520 participants, who completed the questionnaire online (358 females; mean age=38.33 years, SD=14.78), almost half reported some decline in emotional quality of life, but less than 5% experienced high pandemic-related stress or severe COVID-related anxiety. Interestingly, some participants reported improvement in emotional quality of life. Infection, vaccination, and most COVID-related illness representations were not significantly associated with distress indicators. However, coping behaviours showed a strong correlation with COVID-related distress. The study indicates that, two years following the pandemic, distress is more closely linked to individuals' overall experiences and coping strategies rather than the risk of infection or fear of consequences. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing individuals' coping mechanisms and broader psychosocial impact when designing interventions to effectively manage pandemic-related distress. Future mental health support and interventions should focus on promoting adaptive coping strategies and considering the entire experience of the pandemic to alleviate psychological distress.