One skill to rule them all? Coping strategies as mediators of depression and anxiety during early COVID-19

A wealth of coping skills for psychological resilience in the face of everyday stressors becomes pivotal during a global pandemic with physical, social, and societal impacts. The present analyses examined the relationship between coping strategies, pandemic-related distress during early phase COVID-19, and clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety. Data were collected via online survey from a sample of adults diverse in age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, population density, education, disability status, and economic status, all living within the United States ( N = 594). Cognitive distortions, mindful nonjudgment, perceived availability of social support, and locus of control significantly mediated the relationship between pandemic distress and clinical symptoms of both anxiety and depression. Multiple regressions explained substantial variance in symptoms of depression (47%) and anxiety (52%) among participants, predominately via mindfulness skills, followed by locus of control. Overall, mindful awareness and mindful nonjudgment emerge as most associated with resilience to pandemic-related distress.