The Role of Fear of COVID-19 as a Mediator in the Association of Meaning of Life and Life Expectancy with Death Obsession
摘要
The purpose of the present study was to assess the mediational role of fear of COVID-19 in the association of meaning of life and life expectancy with death obsession. A study of 488 Iranians using the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Hope Scale, and Death Obsession Scale found significant differences in fear of COVID-19 based on age category, but not on gender, marital status, and educational attainment. The findings showed that meaning of life did not have a significant effect (Beta = − 0.065, t = 0.991, p = 0.322) on the fear of COVID-19. Life expectancy significantly influenced (Beta = − 0.108, t = 1.991, p = 0.047) the fear of COVID-19. The meaning of life had a notable impact on death obsession (Beta = − 0.132, t = 2.089, p = 0.037), while life expectancy also showed a significant influence (Beta = − 0.225, t = 3.359, p = 0.01) on death obsession. The fear of COVID-19 greatly influenced (Beta = 0.223, t = 5.191, p = 0.001) obsession with death. The indirect impact of life meaning via fear of COVID-19 was not a significant factor (Beta = − 0.015, t = 0.970, p = 0.332) on death obsession, and the indirect effect of life expectancy through fear of COVID-19 also showed no significant effect (Beta = − 0.024, t = 1.690, p = 0.092) on death obsession.