Covid-19 fear, happiness and stress in adults: the mediating role of psychological resilience and coping with stress

Peker, Adem; Cengiz, Serkan

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of coping with stress and psychological resilience in the relationship between happiness and perceived stress of COVID-19 fear in Turkish adults. METHODS: 827 individuals (516 females, 311 males) above 18 years of age and living in Turkey participated in this research. The data of the research was collected through the COVID-19 Fear Scale, Depression-Happiness Scale Short Form, Perceived Stress Scale and Psychological Resilience Scale Short Form. RESULTS: The results show that fear of COVID-19 negatively predicts happiness and positively predicts perceived stress. According to the results, psychological resilience and coping with perceived stress mediate the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and happiness and stress. Moreover, psychological resilience and coping with perceived stress mitigate the impact of COVID-19 fear on happiness and stress. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide evidence as to how to reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 on mental health. In addition, the results provide information to improve mental health during the pandemic period.KEY POINTSPsychological resilience reduces the effect of COVID-19 on stress and increases happiness levels.Coping with stress reduces the impact of COVID-19 on stress and increases happiness levels.