Acute stress and resilient coping: Their demographic and psychosocial determinants during Covid-19 pandemic in Costa Rica

Two cross-sectional studies aimed to describe acute stress and resilient coping responses in samples of adults living in Costa Rica during the COVID-19 pandemic at two time points, and to identify the contribution of sociodemographic and psychosocial variables on these mental health outcomes. Data were collected in 2020 and 2022 via online and telephone surveys, using psychological scales and sociodemographic measures. The telephonic sample (NTP2022 = 1002) was probabilistic (Waksberg method), while online samples (NOL2020 = 2146; NOL2022 = 2157) were non-probabilistic. Descriptive statistics on resilient coping and acute stress from each sample were reported. Loneliness was a stronger determinant of mental health outcomes, compared to sociodemographic variables. Moreover, being older, male, with higher income and feeling less lonely were all associated with better mental health. Educational level was also identified as playing a protective role in mental health, although indirectly, via increased income and decreased loneliness. The sampling strategy and survey administration method should be considered when interpreting descriptive statistics from these studies. Implications derived from these results for future policies and intervention initiatives are discussed.