Biography
Prof. Dariusz Krok
Prof. Dariusz Krok
Department of Psychology, Opole University, Poland
Title: Coping with stress and mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of counselling strategies
Abstract: 
The global pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has noticeably affected the mental functioning of many people. The potential risk of infection associated with new cases and systematically implemented quarantine procedures are significantly influencing the ways in which individuals cope with stressful experiences. This situation generates unique conditions that have profound effects on coping mechanisms and mental health. Recent studies have demonstrated that risk of COVID-19 infection is significantly associated with poorer psychological functioning and higher levels of stress, as well as higher use of specific coping strategies (Krok, Zarzycka, & Telka, 2021; Polizzi, Lynn & Perry, 2020; Yan et al.,, 2021).

The aim of this talk is to examine relationships among risk perception of COVID-19, meaning-based resources, stress, and mental health measures (subjective and psychological well-being) in the mediating perspective of coping strategies. The results revealed that the way in which individuals cope with stress depends on the level of risk perception and the characteristics of the perceived COVID-19 threat. The two mediating strategies are predominately based on cognitive (problem-focused coping) and motivational (meaning-focused coping) processes. In contrast, emotional coping proved to be a less significant way of coping with stress during the pandemic. Stress and meaning-making also play different mediating roles in the relationship of risk of contracting COVID-19 and personal resources with the cognitive and affective dimensions of subjective wellbeing. In addition, the tendency to overestimate (over-estimation bias) the coronavirus-related risk and threat factors caused strong psychological distress, resulting in irrational patterns of behaviour.

During the personal experiences of intense stress, fatigue, and anxiety, meaning-based counselling strategies can help people find additional sources of meaning in life related to e.g., family, goals, values, or personal strengths. Main meaning-based counselling strategies will be thus presented as they are likely to reduce stress and strengthen people’s resilience, leading to higher levels of well-being.
Biography: 
My academic work concentrates on the domains of health psychology, personality psychology, and psychology of religion. Within these areas, I have conducted research analyzing relations between health and quality of life, health and personality traits, persuasion and attitude change. A great deal of my current work explores relations between quality of life and health, personality traits and well-being, religious beliefs in social life, and religion and coping. I am author and co-editor of: Perswazja w przekazie religijno-moralnym, Opole 2005 [Persuasion in religious and moral communication], Psychologiczny wymiar cierpienia, Opole 2007 [The psychological dimension of suffering], and Religijność i jakość życia w perspektywie mediatorów psychospołecznych, Opole 2009 [Religiousness and quality of life in the perspective of psychosocial mediators], Rodzina w nurcie współczesnych przemian. Studia interdyscyplinarne, Opole 2010 [Family in the perspective of contemporary changes. Interdisciplinary studies] and articles printed in academic journals, e.g. Personality and Individual Differences, Aging and Mental Health, Journal of Religion and Health. A great deal of my current work examines psychological aspects of religious behaviour and its relations to mental health.

At the moment I am conducting research on coping strategies among cancer patients. It focuses on: (1) examining relations between religion and family, and (2) assessing the outcomes of coping with stress on adjustment to cancer among individuals and their families.