Background

The objective of this cross-cultural study was to analyze the differences in resilience, cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERS), as well as psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic between Poland and Spain.

Method

An online survey was conducted on a sample of 1,182 adults. A MANOVA analysis was carried out to examine the differences in the studied variables between these countries. This was followed by MANCOVA analysis to control for gender and age. Linear regression analyses segmented by country were conducted in order to identify psychological distress prediction models.

Results

Polish population was characterized by higher levels of anxiety, less resilience and more maladaptive CERS during the lockdown. Spanish population was more affected by stress but used more adaptable CERS and was more resilient. Age and female gender appeared as risk factors of psychological distress in Spain. The psychological distress prediction models were found to be different between both countries: adaptive CERS was predictive only in Spain, and resilience was predictive only in Poland.

Conclusions

This study could guide in initiatives for the promotion of psychological well-being as a way to prevent psychopathological disorders during the pandemic.