Mitigation of Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Aggression via Religiosity/Spirituality during the 3 rd Wave of Covid-19 among University Students

Abstract

Due to the sudden shift in teaching methods, the pandemic has adversely obstructed students' psychological condition. Persons living with mental illness use religion and spirituality to cope, especially in stressful times. Religious-spiritual coping can help reduce depression, anxiety, stress, and aggression. An online quantitative survey was conducted. The DASS21, Buss and Perry BAQ, and Religiosity and Spirituality Scale for youth (RSSY) were used to collect data. The study included 420 university students, of which 48.33% and 51.66 % were males and females respectively. The average age of participants was 21. Third-wave COVID-19 found religion/spirituality to be a significant alleviating factor of depression, anxiety, stress, and aggression. The study also found significant correlations between depression, anxiety, stress, and aggression in males and females. The findings provided insight into how to apply religious/spiritual intervention tactics to mitigate Covid-19's disadvantages.