Significant Predictors Of Psychological Distress Research Articles

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Psychological Distress in Patients With Early-Stage Lung Cancer During Preoperative Period: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of significant psychological distress and identify risk factors associated with it among early-stage lung cancer patients in the preoperative period. Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with low survival rates and significant psychological distress. While much research has focused on distress in advanced-stage patients, less is known about the prevalence and risk factors of psychological distress in early-stage lung cancer patients before surgery. A cross-sectional study. The study included 427 early-stage lung cancer patients preparing for surgery. Researchers used a study-specific questionnaire to gather general information and employed the Distress Management Screening Measurement, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 to assess personal situations and psychological distress levels. Statistical analyses investigated distress across various patient characteristics and examined correlations with anxiety and depression. Binary logistic regression identified significant predictors of psychological distress. The study found that 41.9% of early-stage lung cancer patients experienced significant psychological distress preoperatively, with an average score of 3.31 ± 2.18. Psychological distress was significantly positively correlated with depression (r = 0.474, p < 0.001) and anxiety (r = 0.591, p < 0.001). Significant risk factors for psychological distress included pulmonary nodules (OR = 2.884, 95% CI: 1.496-5.559), smoking history (OR = 2.092, 95% CI: 1.016-4.306) and chronic diseases (OR = 2.013, 95% CI: 1.073-3.776). Early-stage lung cancer patients often experience a high incidence of clinically significant psychological distress during the preoperative period, strongly associated with depression and anxiety. Adverse factors contributing to psychological distress include multiple indeterminate pulmonary nodules, smoking history and concurrent chronic diseases. Routine screening for psychological distress in these patients is recommended, along with personalised interventions and self-management strategies to help alleviate their distress during the perioperative period.

Factors associated with psychological distress in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A retrospective medical records study

ObjectiveAlthough psychological distress is a prevalent issue among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and can impact survival, the risk factors contributing to this distress remain insufficiently understood. MethodsPatients with ALS who completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) between June 2017 and March 2022 were included. Participants with moderate to severe cognitive decline were excluded, resulting in the recruitment of 121 patients. The associations between POMS profiles and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Physical motor symptoms were evaluated using the Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) for objective measurement and the 40-item ALS Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-40) for subjective assessment. ResultsOur model, employing the ALSFRS-R, revealed significant factors associated with overall psychological distress, as assessed by the POMS, including upper limb symptoms, the presence of sleep apnea syndrome, older age at onset, and male sex, with an inverse association with tracheostomy. The POMS subscale scores revealed that anger and depression were significantly associated with upper limb symptoms. The second model, which employed subjective scales, yielded similar results, reinforcing the robustness of our findings. Moreover, subjective bulbar symptoms on the ALSAQ-40 were significantly associated with psychological distress, particularly in female patients. ConclusionThis study identified the main clinical characteristics significantly associated with psychological distress in patients with ALS. Our findings may be useful in developing individualized psychological management strategies for these patients.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF PHUBBING, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS IN YOUTH

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between phubbing behavior, emotional intelligence, and psychological distress in youth and the predicting role of phubbing and emotional intelligence in determining psychological distress in youth. Research Design: Correlational research design was used. Place And Duration of Study: This study was conducted between March 2022 to February 2023 at Department of Applied Psychology, University of Management and Technology Lahore. Subjects and Methods: A total of 200 university students aged between 18 and 26 (M =21.36; SD =1.94) were selected from different public and private sector universities of Lahore through convenient sampling technique. The Phubbing Scale,54 Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale,55 and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 2156 along with self-constructed demographic sheet were used to collect data. Results: The results revealed a positive relationship between phubbing and psychological distress in young adults. Further, phubbing was found to be a significant predictor of psychological distress in young adults, however Overall emotional intelligence did not predict it. Further, no significant gender differences were found in phubbing, emotional intelligence, and psychological distress. Conclusion: The study highlights the impact of excessive mobile usage on emotional intelligence and psychological distress levels and may help in proposing interventions to reduce phubbing and improve emotional intelligence as potential solutions to mitigate psychological distress.

Relationships between acculturative stress, internalized weight stigma, and psychological distress among Asian, Black, and Latinx adults

ABSTRACT The present study explored the associations between acculturative stress, internalized weight stigma, and psychological distress in a sample of racially diverse U.S. immigrants (n = 200). Linear regression analyses revealed that acculturative stress was a significant predictor of internalized weight stigma, and that internalized weight stigma was a significant predictor of psychological distress both before and after controlling for acculturative stress. Findings contribute to the topical diversity of literature regarding weight- and shape-related concerns in immigrant populations and have implications for multicultural social work education and practice.

Mental health and quality of life of individuals with epilepsy during the war in Ukraine.

To investigate the repercussions of the war in Ukraine on people with epilepsy (PWE), focusing on access to health care, seizure control, quality of life (QoL), psychological distress, anxiety, and depression; and to identify the key factors influencing these measures. Consecutive PWE, ≥18 years of age, presenting to one of seven health centers across Ukraine were invited to complete a self-administered survey in 2023. The survey gathered information on clinical and demographic aspects, geographic displacement, and access to care and medications. It also contained five valid questionnaires exploring psychological distress (Kessler-10), QoL with the EuroQOL-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L), depression with the Neurological Disorders in Epilepsy scale(NDDIE), anxiety with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scalae-Anxiety (HADS-A), and epilepsy severity with the Global Assessment of the Severity of Epilepsy scale (GASE). Multivariate linear regression models assessed the relationship between measures of mental health and QoL and their potential predictors. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institute of Neurology, Psychiatry and Narcology of NAMS of Ukraine, Ukraine. Among 305 participants (mean age 38 years), 40% were female and 44% had to change residence because of the war. Seizures worsened during the war in 52% of those with active epilepsy and 42% of those with well-controlled epilepsy. Difficulties accessing health care and anti-seizure medications occurred in 25% and 34% of PWE, respectively, and was worse among those who were displaced. According to the mental health instruments, 46% suffered psychological distress, 62% experienced anxiety, 50% were depressed, and 59% rated their epilepsy as somewhat severe or worse. Statistically significant predictors of psychological distress, anxiety, and depression included female gender, more severe epilepsy, increased seizures during the war, and requiring mental health support. The war significantly disrupted access to health care and availability of medication in PWE, who suffer from significant anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. We identify high-risk factors that can guide resource allocation for prevention and treatment.

Hope as Predictor of Psychological Distress and Quality of Life Among Diabetic Patients

The current study was conducted to find out the relationship between psychological distress, hope, and quality of life among diabetic patients. In the present research, the correlational research design was used and 180 diabetic patients (90 males and 90 females) were selected through purposive sampling techniques from the different hospitals of Faisalabad city. The age range of the selected sample was 20 years to 70 years. A demographic information sheet and the translated versions of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Hope Index, and Quality of Life Scale were used to measure study variables. The data was analyzed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results reveal that the psychological distress was significantly negatively correlated with Hope and Quality of Life but Hope and Quality of Life were significantly positively correlated. Further, linear regression analysis showed that Hope was a significant predictor of Psychological distress and Quality of Life in diabetic patients. The t-test analysis indicates that females have significantly higher scores on psychological distress as compared to male diabetic patients. The younger patients score higher on psychological distress, hope, and quality of life as compared to older diabetic patients. The findings of the current study imply various health-related fields such as health professionals can use the findings of this study in the cure of patients who become the victim of life-threatening chronic illnesses like diabetes etc.

The Mediating Effect of Post-Traumatic Growth on the Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Distress in Adults

Background: Research has shown that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are prevalent and are associated with psychological distress. Some studies indicate facing these adversities can lead to post-traumatic growth. This study aims to assess the impact of ACEs on psychological distress and post-traumatic growth and to determine the mediating effect of post-traumatic growth between ACEs and psychological distress, in a sample of adults. Methods: In this study, there were 521 participants (mean = 31.32, SD = 12.28), who answered the following surveys online: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Family ACE Questionnaire, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Results: ACEs were positive and significant predictors of psychological distress, and the “Change in the perception of the self and life in general” factor of post-traumatic growth was the strongest predictor of lower perceived psychological distress. Post-traumatic growth did not mediate the relationship between ACEs and psychological distress. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the improvement of clinical practice and health policies and highlight the need for a more in-depth understanding of the impact of ACEs on mental health.

Maternal distress during the COVID-19 outbreak: A socio-ecological perspective.

Mothers faced an increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to other populations. However, there is little data on the factors that placed mothers at increased risk of distress. The present study explored a range of individual, familial, and environmental factors associated with psychological distress in mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This repeated cross-sectional study was composed of a convenience sample of mothers who completed an online survey that included a demographic questionnaire, an emotion regulation questionnaire, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale. The survey was administered during the second and third lockdowns in Israel in 2020-2021. The study included 575 mothers (M age = 39). The findings of a hierarchical regression indicated that individual-level factors, composed of age and emotion regulation tendencies predicted psychological distress. The family-level factors of household income and number of children in the family also predicted distress. In terms of environmental-level factors, COVID-19-related media consumption and school status (open or closed) were also significant predictors of psychological distress. Importantly, the results showed that the most important predictors of psychological distress in mothers during the COVID-19 outbreak were school closures, household income, and the use of adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. The findings highlight the intersection of individual, familial, and environmental factors in mothers' mental health during crises.

Spirituality, Intolerance and Fear of COVID-19: Psychological Distress Among Older Adults in Pakistan.

The present study aimed to investigate the role of spirituality, intolerance of uncertainty (IU), and fear of COVID-19 as correlates and predictors of psychological distress among older adults in Pakistan and also assess the gender differences among research variables. Using a quantitative correlational survey research design, a sample of 150 (75 = Men, 75 = Women) older adults aged 55 years and above from different cities of Pakistan were approached through a non-probability purposive sampling strategy. Participants completed the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale IUS-12, Fear of COVID-19, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-K10. Spirituality has a significant negative relationship with psychological distress. Whereas, IU (Inhibitory anxiety and prospective anxiety) and fear of COVID-19 have a significant positive relationship with psychological distress. Results also showed that spirituality, IU dimensions, and fear of COVID-19 emerged as significant predictors of psychological distress among older adults after controlling for the effect of covariates. In addition, elderly females significantly showed more spirituality, less IU, and fear of COVID-19 as compared to elderly males. It is proposed that mental health care plays an important role in treating the psychological needs of older adults in pandemic situations and that further study is needed to develop effective solutions for older persons in stressful situations such as pandemics.

Predictors of Psychological Distress for Bi + Individuals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bisexual and pansexual (bi+) individuals remain understudied subpopulations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGTBQ+) community, despite experiencing complex stressors and stigma by both LGBTQ + and heterosexual communities. In this study, we used correlation analyses, hierarchical linear regression and moderation analyses to explore the relationships between societal stressors (concern about COVID and discrimination) and a protective factor (social support) in a sample bi + undergraduate and graduate students. The correlation results revealed positive, bivariate relationship between worry about COVID and psychological distress, along with everyday discrimination and psychological distress. The correlation results also revealed a negative bivariate correlation between social support and psychological distress for bi + participants. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that worry about COVID, everyday discrimination and social support were significant predictors of psychological distress for bi + individuals. Finally, moderation analyses revealed that social support moderated the relationship between everyday discrimination and psychological distress but not the relationship between COVID-Worry and Psychological Distress for bi + individuals. Findings from the present study will help inform clinicians of specific risks to bi + individual’s mental health when working with this population, specifically regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Basic Psychological Needs, Coping, and Psychological Distress Among Orphans Living in Orphan

The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship of basic psychological needs, coping, and psychological distress among orphans living in orphanages. To examine the relationship between these variables quantitative method was used. A convenient sampling technique was used to collect the data. The sample consisted of 200 orphans of which 153 was male and 47 was female. The data was collected with the help of self-report measures i.e., Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (B`1234PNSF) by Van der Kaap-Deeder (2015), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS-21) by Somia (2020) and DASS-21 by Aslam (2017). The data was analyzed on the SPSS 26 version. There was a significant relationship between basic psychological needs frustration and psychological distress. Avoidance-focused coping and emotion-focused coping were significant predictors of psychological distress. Psychological distress was positively predicted by avoidance-focused coping and emotion-focused coping.

Significant predictors of psychological distress in the group of Polish young adults during the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak: Sequential mediation model

Significant predictors of psychological distress in the group of Polish young adults during the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak: Sequential mediation model

The Relationship Between Weight Stigmatization, Avoidance, Enjoyment and Participation in Physical Activity and Sport, and Psychological Distress

Objectives: The psychosocial factors affecting physical activity (PA) and sport participation are not well understood but need to be to gain the psychological benefits of PA and sport. In this study, we sought to establish the relationship between weight stigmatization, the tendency to avoid, or participate in and/or enjoy PA and sport, and psychological distress.Methods: We collected demographic details and measures of the constructs of interest from 578 undergraduate students via an online survey. We ran bivariate correlations and multivariate linear regression models to establish statistical relationships between the variables of interest. Results: In bivariate correlations, weight stigmatization and the tendency to avoid PA were significantly associated with greater psychological distress. Greater enjoyment of PA and sport was related with less psychological distress; however, participation in PA and sport was not associated with psychological distress. In multivariate regression analyses, weight stigma, internalized weight stigma and the tendency to avoid PA and sport were significant predictors of psychological distress, accounting for 22% of the variance in psychological distress scores.Conclusion: In this study, we found that addressing internalized weight stigma requires urgent action to promote better mental health through PA and sport participation. We propose a conceptual model to explore these relationships.

Rates and correlates of psychological distress and PTSD among persons with physical disabilities in Cambodia

BackgroundCompared to the general population, persons with disabilities are at increased risk of poor mental health. The aim of this study was to determine the rates and correlates of psychological distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among persons with physical disabilities in Cambodia.MethodsFrom July to December 2021 data were collected as part of a mental health screening programme for persons with physical disabilities who access prosthetic and orthotic services. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler-10 (K-10) and PTSD using the PC-PTSD-5. Bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with levels of psychological distress and PTSD among this population.ResultsOur study found a high prevalence of psychological distress and PTSD in this patient cohort. Of the 213 participants, 31.5% were likely to be experiencing mild to moderate psychological distress indicative of a mental health disorder, with 13.6% likely to have a severe mental health disorder. Sixty-five percent of patients reported experiencing PTSD symptoms, with forty-six percent meeting the criteria for probable PTSD. Psychological distress was associated with pathological worry, rumination, and facets of mindfulness. Rumination and pathological worry were found to be significant predictors of psychological distress. PTSD symptoms were associated with pathological worry but not facets of mindfulness or rumination. Facets of mindfulness and pathological worry were found to be significant predictors of PTSD.ConclusionIntegration of mental health services within the disability sector is required to address psychological distress and PTSD symptoms among people with physical disabilities in Cambodia. Health system interventions, such as screening, referral, and the training of health providers, need to be strengthened. Further studies focussing on the psychosocial determinants of mental health of persons with disabilities in Cambodia are required.

Military-related relocation stress and psychological distress in military partners.

Spouses/partners play a crucial role in providing support to military service members (SMs), maintaining a sense of stability for the family, and supporting the overall mission of the armed forces. However, several aspects of the military lifestyle may impact their own psychological health. Much research has focused on the role of SMs' deployments and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in partners' distress, but no study has yet quantitatively investigated these factors in tandem with the common military life stressor of frequent relocations. The present study investigated the degree to which problems from service-related moves, couple deployment separation, and SMs' PTSD symptoms uniquely predict partner psychological distress. Data were collected from female partners of Army soldiers who completed online surveys across four timepoints (over 1.5 years) following a deployment. Surveys assessed psychological distress, perceptions of SMs' PTSD symptoms, problems from service-related moves, and deployment separation. Multilevel modeling was used, with longitudinal data treated as repeated measures (i.e., not modeling change over time). Results indicated that problems from service-related moves were associated with greater psychological stress, even when accounting for SMs' PTSD symptoms and deployment separation. Deployment separation itself was not a significant predictor of psychological distress. Findings indicate that problems associated with frequent moves may be a significant contributor to increased psychological distress for partners above and beyond challenges associated with SMs' PTSD symptoms. Recommendations for future research and limitations are also provided. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

EXPLORING THE ASSOCIATION OF MEANING IN LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS IN MALE PATIENTS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IN PAKISTAN

The objective of the present research is to explore the predictive association of meaning in life (presence &amp; search) with psychological distress (depression, anxiety &amp; stress) in people with substance use disorder. Sample of the present study comprised 200 Muslim participants (male patients with substance use disorder), ages ranging from 18 to 45 years (M =18; SD =6.55). The sample was recruited from different substance use treatment and rehabilitation centers situated in different areas of Karachi, through purposive sampling. Instruments used in this study were the Personal Information Form, Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ; Stegaer, et al., 2006), and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS; Lovibond, &amp; Lovibond, 1995). Regression analysis shows a significant predictive relationship of meaning in life (i.e., presence &amp; search of the meaning) with depression (adj R2=.988, F (2, 198) =8278.46, P &lt; .0001(, anxiety (adj R2=.943, F (2, 198) =1659.82, P &lt; .0001(, stress (adj R2=.982, F (2, 198) =5390.78, P &lt; .0001(. Overall findings revealed that meaning in life is a significant predictor of psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety &amp; stress) in people with SUD. The finding and implications are discussed in detail. Keywords: Meaning in life, presence, search, depression, anxiety, stress, substance use disorder

Mindfulness, Valuing, and Emotion Regulation in the Prediction of Psychological Distress: Mindfulness and Valuing in Psychological Distress

The present study aims to examine the role of mindfulness, valuing (progress and obstruction), and strategies for emotion regulation (reappraisal and suppression) in prediction of psychological distress among university students. A total of 332 undergraduate students (237 females, 95 males) from the Faculty of Education of one state and one private university participated in the study. The data, which was analyzed by using hierarchical multiple regression, indicated that valuing and mindfulness were significant predictors of psychological distress. On the other hand, emotion regulation, which encompasses reappraisal and suppression, was seen to be an insignificant predictor of psychological distress. Among the variables, the obstruction subscale of valuing contributed most to the model. Overall, this study highlights that having a ‘value-based life’ and ‘mindful living’ are protective factors which may reduce the likelihood of experiencing high levels of psychological distress among university students. The results were discussed in the light of the literature.

Prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress of patients with stroke attending the clinics of the National Institute of Neurology of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is the fifth leading cause of disability adjusted life years lost in Sri Lanka. A vast range of factors lead to psychological distress among stroke patients causing poor outcomes such as limitations of daily activities, poor rehabilitation outcomes, social isolation, and poor financial recovery. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of data on this topic, in both foreign and local literature. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of psychological distress and identify the factors associated with it among the patients with stroke attending the clinics of National Institute of Neurology (NIN), National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), Colombo. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical component was conducted among 177 patients with stroke attending the clinics of National Institute of Neurology, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo who were sampled by multistage random sampling. The 10-item Kessler psychological distress scale was used to assess the psychological distress while the Barthel Index and the modified Rankin Scale were used to assess the dependence on the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and disability status respectively. Data was collected regarding socio-demographic, behavioral, family and caregiver, stressful life events, stroke and other health related factors using a pretested interviewer administered questionnaire. Chi-square tests, simple logistic regression was used for bivariate analysis followed by multivariate analysis via binary logistic regression. Results obtained from the final regression model were expressed using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals whilst associations with p-value &lt; 0.05 were significant in all types of analyses. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants with stroke was 59.6 (SD 12.285) years. The prevalence of psychological distress among stroke patients was found to be 23.3% (95% CI: 16.1 - 31.9) using the validated K10 score of ≥22. During bivariate analysis, none of the sociodemographic, family and caregiver related, and stressful life event related factors were significantly associated while past personal history and family history of psychiatric disorders, frequency of engagement in physical and leisure time activities prior to the stroke event, time since the last stroke event, level of disability and dependence on ADL (p &lt; 0.05) were found to be significant predictors of psychological distress. The results of regression identified five independent predictors with a R2 of 0.772. There, the presence of psychological distress was significantly predicted by age (b = -.134, p &lt; 0.05), gender (b = 4.262, p = 0.05), patient being the sole source of income (b = 3.207, p &lt; 0.05), ii level of disability (b = 2.568, p &lt; 0.001) and past personal history of psychiatric disorders (b = 5.151, p &lt; 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of psychological distress among patients with stroke attending the clinics of the NIN, NHSL, Colombo is high and is associated with several health and non-health related factors. A standard routine screening method should be formulated for early diagnosis of patients at risk of psychological distress supplemented by a multidisciplinary approach including psychosocial support starting from the initial out-patient management of stroke patients.

Non-Pathological Psychological Distress among Mainland Chinese in Canada and Its Sociodemographic Risk Factors amidst the Pandemic.

A sample of 731 Mainland Chinese aged 16 or older completed an on-line survey to examine their attitudes, behavioural, and psychological responses towards COVID-19. Non-pathological psychological distress was assessed with a 7-item self-report scale to capture common emotional reactions towards COVID-19. A factor analysis revealed a single-factor structure of the 7-item COVID-19 psychological distress scale (Eigen λ = 3.79). A composite psychological distress index (PDI) score was calculated from these items and used as the outcome variable. Multivariate regression models identified age, financial satisfaction, health status, and perceived/experienced discrimination as significant predictors of psychological distress (ps ≤ 0.05). Mainland Chinese in Canada who were over 25, in poor financial/health status, or with perceived/experienced discrimination were at a higher risk for COVID-19-related psychological distress. The health inequity across these factors would inform the services to mitigate mental health risk in minority groups.

How do threat to life and state anxiety disturb the psychological functioning of Polish adults during coronavirus pandemic?

The aim of this study was to answer the following question: how do threat to life and state anxiety predict psychological functioning in a coronavirus pandemic among Polish adults aged 18-65 years? The web-based cross-sectional survey was applied to 1466 Polish respondents (1074 women, 73.3%) aged 18-65 years. They were divided into four age groups (18-25; 26-35; 36-45; 46-65). All participants completed: General Functioning Questionnaire (GFQ), State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), and General Sense of Threat to Life Scale (GSTLS). The youngest adults (aged 18-25 years) manifested significantly higher psychological distress, state anxiety, and a sense of threat to life compared to all the older participants. A sense of threat to life and state anxiety were significant predictors of psychological distress during the COVID-19 epidemic, where state anxiety mediates the relation between threat to life and psychological distress. The youngest participants constitute a risk group for psychological difficulties during the pandemic situation. The COVID-19 psychological distress could be significantly predicted by the two kinds of emotional state such as threat to life and anxiety.