The role of fortitude, loneliness, and depression in the association between risk perception of contracting COVID-19 and life satisfaction: Serial mediation analysis
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Abstract
Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has been found to have a negative impact on both physical
wellbeing and mental health. Increased risk perception of contracting the virus has been associated
with adverse psychological outcomes and reduced life satisfaction. However, susceptibility to
psychological distress is influenced by personality-related characteristics. This study focuses on
fortitude as a potential protective factor. The aim of this study is to investigate the parallel and
serial mediating roles of fortitude, loneliness, and depression in the relationship between risk
perception and life satisfaction. The participants were young adults (N=337) who have completed
five self-report questionnaires: University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, Centre for
Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Fortitude Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale,
and COVID-19 Risk Perception Scale. Descriptive statistics were generated, and structural
equation modelling was used to examine the parallel and serial mediating roles of loneliness,
depression, and fortitude. Positive associations were found between risk perception and loneliness
and depression, and fortitude was found to mediate the relationship between risk perception
and life satisfaction, between loneliness and life satisfaction, and between depression and life
satisfaction.
Description
Keywords
COVID-19, Depression, Loneliness, Risk perception, South Africa, Life satisfaction
Citation
Padmanabhanunni, A., & Pretorius, T. (2021). The role of fortitude, loneliness, and depression in the association between risk perception of contracting COVID-19 and life satisfaction: serial mediation analysis. South African Journal of Psychology,1-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/00812463211037811