Coping amid Crisis: A Study of Field Midwives’ Resilience Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak has significantly impacted people’s physical and mental health. The use of coping strategies plays a major role in combating psychological stressors. The aim of the study was to describe the use of coping strategies among field midwives (FMs). A descriptive crosssectional study was conducted among FMs in selected Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas in the Matara district. Participants included FMs with at least six months of experience in the field, and those on maternity leave were excluded. Data were collected using a validated Brief COPE questionnaire and a pre-tested sociodemographic questionnaire. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. A total of 145 study participants had a mean age of 41.4±12.0. The majority of participants (64.8%) employed an avoidant coping style, while 44.8% utilized a problem-focused coping style, and 51% employed an emotion-focused coping style to maintain positivity in the face of challenges. The highest scores were reported on active coping, positive reframing, acceptance, and informational support, while the lowest scores were on substance use and humor. In conclusion, the majority of FMs used problem-focused approaches as a coping strategy during the COVID-19 outbreak. Health policymakers might use this data to have a basic understanding of FMs’ coping mechanisms.