Naomi Koerner Jennifer Morales-Cruz

Resumen

The unprecedented uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely acknowledged. However, uncertainty and the complex psychological responses that it generates have not often been the core or centerpiece of writings on pandemic distress. In this paper, we discuss why it is crucial to understand pandemic distress reactions as a psychological response to uncertainty, in and of itself. To inform this discussion, we have drawn on writings and research on the topic of uncertainty within psychology and other disciplines (e.g., public health). We attempt to apply some of these ideas to the Puerto Rican context, where the COVID-19 pandemic has been one among many “uncertainty disasters.” The importance of autogestión in Puerto Rico is discussed.

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Keywords
References
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Psychological distress and the COVID-19 pandemic: The important role of uncertainty. (2021). Revista Puertorriqueña De Psicologia, 32(1), 34-48. https://repsasppr.net/index.php/reps/article/view/712
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Psychological distress and the COVID-19 pandemic: The important role of uncertainty. (2021). Revista Puertorriqueña De Psicologia, 32(1), 34-48. https://repsasppr.net/index.php/reps/article/view/712