Background

In our study, we adopt the salutogenic model of health which focuses on the origin of health rather than disease, and defines the sense of coherence as the most important personal resource in relation to health (Antonovsky, 1979, 1987).

Aims

Our study examines the protective factors of mental health during an acute period of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland. Specifically, we will examine the protective value of the sense of coherence, social support, and trust in institutions. Moreover, we will explore differences across groups based on sociodemographic characteristics including gender, age, education, and country as well as contextual aspects in terms of imposed governmental measures. Our study thus aims to (1) identify the most relevant protective factors for mental health and (2) to explore the cross-national differences across three countries. 

Method 

Data were collected in all three countries via an online survey in November 2021. The final sample size was N = 476 in the Czech Republic; N = 897 in Germany, and N = 299 in Switzerland. The survey included the following scales: SOC-13 (Antonovsky, 1987), Mental health continuum (MHC; Keyes, 2002), General anxiety disorder (GAD; Spitzer et al., 2006), social support scale, trust in institutions, and sociodemographic characteristics. We will use correlation analysis and multiple linear regression for data analysis using MHC and GAD as outcome variables.

Results

The results will be available in spring 2023. We expect that there will be differences across the three countries, however, sense of coherence will be the most significant predictor of mental health in all three cultures. 

Conclusion

Our study will provide evidence on the protective factors for mental health in times of global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, it will identify potential differences or similarities in three culturally different countries with varying strategies towards the COVID-19 containment measures.