THE FEAR OF COVID-19 MEDIATES THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGICAL VULNERABILITY, SOCIAL SUPPORT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS

Abstract

Background: Along with its physical effects, COVID-19 pandemic has brought along a rise in mental health issues in the general population. This study aims to examine the predictive effects of psychological vulnerability and social support on the psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the mediating role of the fear of COVID-19 in these relationships. Subjects and methods: This is a correlational study. The sample includes 783 (F=515, M=268) Turkish adults aged between 18 and 67 years (x =28.76; SD= ±12.21). Results: Psychological vulnerability positively predicted both fear of COVID-19 and psychological distress. Social support positively predicted fear of COVID-19 but negatively predicted psychological distress. Moreover, fear of COVID-19 played a complementary mediating role in the relation between psychological vulnerability and psychological distress, and a competitive mediating role in the relation between social support and psychological distress. Conclusion: These results provide important evidence about psychosocial risk factors and their interactions with fear of COVID-19 in predicting mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.