Antecedents and consequences of COVID-19-related death anxiety and negativity among Pakistani youth.
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the psychological well-being of young people, yet the underlying mechanisms linking fear to maladaptive outcomes remain underexplored, particularly in developing countries. Addressing this gap, the present study investigates two parallel mediation models to explain how fear of COVID-19 translates into emotional (negativity) and behavioral (panic buying) outcomes among youth in Pakistan.
A correlational descriptive study was conducted using a purposive sampling technique to collect data in a district of Punjab, Pakistan. We selected 387 literate, knowledgeable, and young students with cognitive and necessary literary skills to understand and accurately respond to the study. Data were analyzed using the PROCESS macro for SPSS (parallel mediation model 4) to examine the mediating roles of intolerance of uncertainty, COVID-19 stress, negativity, and death anxiety.
Results found a substantial positive relationship between study variables. Parallel mediation examination indicated a positive direct effect of fear of COVID-19 on intolerance of uncertainty, COVID-19 stress, and negativity. Moreover, intolerance of uncertainty and COVID-19 stress mediated the positive relation between fear of COVID-19 and negativity. The second model exposed a positive direct impact of fear of COVID-19 on negativity, panic buying, and death anxiety. Negativity and death anxiety mediated a positive relation between the fear of COVID-19 and panic buying.
This study shows how perceptions and attributions of experiences can create substantial psychological distress. fear, stress, and intolerance of uncertainty often lead to negativity and panic buying. The study recommends training relevant stakeholders in active listening, empathy, and reassurance, which may help them provide immediate support, relief, and comfort to distressed individuals. Governments and policymakers should prioritize mental health as part of their pandemic response.
not applicable.
A correlational descriptive study was conducted using a purposive sampling technique to collect data in a district of Punjab, Pakistan. We selected 387 literate, knowledgeable, and young students with cognitive and necessary literary skills to understand and accurately respond to the study. Data were analyzed using the PROCESS macro for SPSS (parallel mediation model 4) to examine the mediating roles of intolerance of uncertainty, COVID-19 stress, negativity, and death anxiety.
Results found a substantial positive relationship between study variables. Parallel mediation examination indicated a positive direct effect of fear of COVID-19 on intolerance of uncertainty, COVID-19 stress, and negativity. Moreover, intolerance of uncertainty and COVID-19 stress mediated the positive relation between fear of COVID-19 and negativity. The second model exposed a positive direct impact of fear of COVID-19 on negativity, panic buying, and death anxiety. Negativity and death anxiety mediated a positive relation between the fear of COVID-19 and panic buying.
This study shows how perceptions and attributions of experiences can create substantial psychological distress. fear, stress, and intolerance of uncertainty often lead to negativity and panic buying. The study recommends training relevant stakeholders in active listening, empathy, and reassurance, which may help them provide immediate support, relief, and comfort to distressed individuals. Governments and policymakers should prioritize mental health as part of their pandemic response.
not applicable.
Authors
Nawaz Nawaz, Anjum Anjum, Malik Malik, Yousaf Yousaf, Rehman Rehman, Waseem Waseem, Zia Zia, Khalid Khalid, Gong Gong, Ahmed Ahmed
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