The degree of desirability of control, chronic stress, and the likelihood of developing maladaptive coping behaviors in Lebanese college students during the triad of the economic crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Beirut blast aftermath

Abstract

This dissertation’s aim was to examine the effect of chronic stress on Lebanese College students of ages 18 to 25, who are known to be as an ‘at risk’ age group. Chronic stress was studied from the lens of the economic crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Beirut blast, three crises that have been afflicting Lebanon for the past two years now, placing Lebanese college students in a state of persistent stress and uncertainty about their future. The psychological aftermath of these crises was investigated from a behavioral perspective. Substance use, maladaptive eating, and self-harm were the proposed maladaptive coping behaviors studied. This study goes on to explore Desirability of Control (DOC), a construct that has received minimal attention in research, as a possible moderator in psychological adaptation and chronic stress. Four hundred fifteen respondents were assessed on the Perceived stress scale and chronic stress criteria, followed by two inventories exploring the degree and frequency of seeking substance use and maladaptive eating when stressed. In addition, respondents partook in the Self-harm inventory (SHI) and the Desirability of Control scale. Results indicated that the majority of Lebanese college students have an elevated level of perceived stress and have been enduring chronic stress during these compounded crises, in which more than half of the respondents indicated engaging in one or more maladaptive coping behavior when stressed. Furthermore, the outcomes of this study indicated that a high DOC and a low DOC during chronic stress predicted the risk of developing maladaptive coping behaviors. In contrast, an average DOC was shown to be a helpful level of desired control during uncontrollable stressful events.