Anxiety, meaning in life, self-efficacy and resilience in families with one or more members with special educational needs and disability during COVID-19 pandemic in Greece

Abstract

Background: According to World Health Organization, the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps across the world inducing considerable fear, worry and concern in the population.

Aims: This study explores anxiety, meaning in life, self-efficacy and resilience in university students belonging to families with one or more members with SEND during the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, the differences between participants and the regression coefficients.

Methods & procedures: Study population consisted of 61 participants, aged 20-58 years. A Self-report Questionnaire, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Resilience Scale and the Brief Resilience Scale were used for data collection.

Outcomes & results: Participants presented higher levels of anxiety, meaning in life (presence), general self-efficacy and resilience (than average scale). Parents had higher values than university students in state anxiety, state-trait anxiety (total), meaning in life (presence) and resilience. Individuals with higher levels of resilience and meaning in life had lower anxiety levels. A significant correlation was observed for the regression coefficients according to pathway analysis.

Conclusions and implications: Families having members with SEND, although experiencing difficult situations and anxiety due to the unprecedented conditions of the pandemic, activate mechanisms, such as self-efficacy, meaning in life and resilience, to maintain their balance and mental health.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Families with one or more members with special educational needs and disability (SEND); Greece; Psychological effects.