Coronavirus stress, meaningful living, optimism, and depressive symptoms: a study of moderated mediation model

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: In the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to public mental health stress, anxiety, panic, and behavioural disorders. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether meaning in life and optimism-pessimism mediated the relationship between coronavirus stress and depressive symptoms and whether the mediating effect of meaning in life on depressive symptoms was moderated by optimism. Method: The sample of the study included 475 undergraduate students attending a public university in an urban city of Turkey. They were 69.2% female, ranged in age between 18 and 34 years (M = 20.63, SD = 1.99). Results: Results from the study showed that meaning in life and optimism–pessimism mediated the relationship between coronavirus stress and depressive symptoms. Optimism and pessimism additionally mediated the relationship between meaning in life and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, optimism moderated the mediating effect of meaning in life in the relationship between coronavirus stress and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: These results indicate that the relationship between coronavirus stress and depressive symptoms can be better understood by meaning in life and optimism. Optimism might play a protective factor to mitigate the impact of stress on individuals’ psychological health and is an important aspect of implementing meaning – centred intervention services. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: Meaningful living and optimism are important psychological constructs for psychological health, not only at an empirical level but also at a theoretical level. A high level of optimism improves youth well-being and mental health Stress has adverse impacts on individuals’ well-being and is a risk factor for developing psychological problems What this topic adds: The present study highlights the importance of school meaning-based preventions and interventions targeting to promote mental health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Optimism is an important mechanism that may help to explain the effect of coronavirus stress on psychological health of individuals. The study outcomes suggest there is a need to design a more comprehensive prevention and intervention approach for improving people’s psychological health in the context of the pandemic.