A Study of Subjective Well-being and Coping S...

A Study of Subjective Well-being and Coping Skills of Counselors Working during COVID-19 Pandemic

Author Name : Dr. Anjali Shokeen, Priyanka Tyagi

ABSTRACT

Mental health professionals providing Counseling services have emerged as a need of the time, especially during this pandemic. But at the same time, psychological responses can inflict long-lasting effects on the well-being of the Counselors. Thus,this study focuses on the subjective well-being and coping skills of counseling professionals who are providing counseling to their clients in the pandemic era. For study purposes, PANAS(Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale’s combinationwas used for evaluating Subjective Wellbeing of Counselors developed by Ed Diener and colleagues (Diener et al, 1985; Pavot& Diener, 1993). Initially the questionnaires were sent to 140 Counselors working during this pandemic, but 100 counselors responded back. The subjective well-being and coping skills of counselors were assessed and correlation was established between them. The study found that the highest number of Counselors are generally satisfied with life and are motivated towards improvement. Also, they are more inclined towards positive affect and are effective in using coping skills. Thus, even in this pandemic where everyone is at risk, counselors have a positive outlook which equips them to adapt themselves in this situation too.Results showed that Counselors with high SWB are better in coping as compared to Counselors with low Subjective Well-being.

Keywords: COVID-19, Subjective well-being, coping skills, wellness, counseling skills