Analyzing the role of resilience and life satisfaction as mediators of the impact of COVID-19 worries on mental health

Examining the Mediating Role of Resilience and Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Anxiety Sensitivity and Perceived Stress

This study examines the mediation role of life satisfaction and resilience variables in the relationships between anxiety sensitivity and perceived stress. The data was collected with the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, Life Satisfaction Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Brief Psychological Resilience Scale from 347 university students (Mage = 23.15, SD = 5.15; 70% girls, 30% boys). The analyses were examined by structural equation modeling using AMOS 24. The findings suggest that students with high anxiety sensitivity and perceived stress have low resilience and life satisfaction levels. More importantly, resilience and life satisfaction were found to have partial mediation. As a result, it is seen that anxiety sensitivity has a significant effect on reducing perceived stress by increasing students' resilience and life satisfaction. Therefore, this situation facilitates decreased anxiety levels, greater satisfaction with life, and more robust mental health.

A Network Analysis Study on the Structure and Gender Invariance of the Satisfaction with Life Scale among Spanish University Students

INTRODUCTION

The psychometric properties of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) have been evaluated across numerous languages and population groups, primarily from a factor analysis perspective. In some studies, inconsistencies in structural invariance have been identified.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to analyze the properties and gender invariance of the SWLS from a network analysis perspective.

METHOD

A total of 857 Spanish university students were obtained through a stratified random cluster sampling method in a cross-sectional survey design study. Descriptive analysis of the items, partial-correlation network, Bayesian network model estimation, and invariance analysis by gender were conducted.

RESULTS

The instrument did not exhibit any floor or ceiling effects. Each item can be considered univariately normally distributed, and all items clustered in a single and stable community. The partial-correlation network model and centrality measures were stable in the full sample and invariant across genders. Item 3 emerged as the most central node in the network with the highest predictability. The Bayesian network indicated that items 2 and 4 initiate the process, while item 5 acts as the sink, and items 1 and 3 act as mediators.

CONCLUSIONS

The SWLS can be used as a unidimensional measure, and the total score and relationships among items are stable and reliable. Any potential differences among genders cannot be associated with the functioning of the instrument. The predictability of every item was high, and the Bayesian network clearly identified different roles among the items.

Attachment, Resilience and Life Satisfaction of University Students in Cyprus after the Fourth Wave of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a large-scale crisis that has also impacted the well-being and, more specifically, the life satisfaction of university students. Factors such as attachment dimensions and psychological resilience can provide us with a better understanding of students' life satisfaction levels during the recent pandemic. While previous literature has revealed a significant association between attachment dimensions, resilience, and life satisfaction, very few studies have attempted to address a more complex relationship among all three variables for university students, and even fewer have explored this topic during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the impact of attachment dimensions on university students' life satisfaction after the fourth wave of COVID-19 in Cyprus, with a focus on the mediating role of psychological resilience. The sample comprised 780 university students, consisting of 323 men and 457 women, aged between 18 and 61 years. Participants were recruited electronically, and after being directed to Google Forms, they completed the ECR-R for their attachment dimensions, the RES for psychological resilience, and the SWLS for life satisfaction. The results indicated significant correlations between attachment dimensions, psychological resilience, and life satisfaction. Notably, psychological resilience was found to partially mediate the relationship between attachment anxiety, as well as attachment avoidance, and life satisfaction. Specifically, attachment anxiety and avoidance negatively affected life satisfaction, partially due to lower levels of psychological resilience. These findings are discussed in relation to the existing literature, and implications for practice are provided.

Meaning in Life and Loneliness as Mediators between COVID-19 Anxiety and Life Satisfaction in the Post-Pandemic among the General Population in Turkey: A Serial Mediation Model

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted global society, leading to negative well-being and mental health outcomes. However, little is known about how COVID-19-related anxiety affects life satisfaction through psychological factors. This study examined the mediating roles of meaning in life and loneliness in the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and life satisfaction in 333 Turkish general population (59.2% females; Mage = 33.9 ± 7.8). Participants completed measures of COVID-19 anxiety, life satisfaction, meaning in life, and loneliness. The results showed that COVID-19 anxiety predicted meaning in life, loneliness, and life satisfaction. Meaning in life predicted loneliness and life satisfaction, while loneliness predicted life satisfaction. Serial mediation analysis revealed that COVID-19 anxiety predicts life satisfaction through meaning in life and loneliness, even after controlling for age and gender. These findings contribute to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms between COVID-19 anxiety and life satisfaction, with implications for future research and practice.

Youth psychosocial resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Globally, youth have experienced heightened levels of stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though many youth showed resilience to mental health problems despite this increased stress. The current review covers emerging literature published in the past three years on resilience factors that promote more positive mental health in youth ages 10-18 years. These factors generally fall into three categories: 1) resilience factors at the level of the individual, 2) social resilience factors, and 3) interventions to enhance youth resilience during the pandemic. We include recommendations for future longitudinal research to better understand and promote resilience given the context of the pandemic, particularly for youth who experienced high levels of adversity.

Influence of resilience on depression among nurses in clean operating departments: The mediating effect of life satisfaction

BACKGROUND

A clean operating room is an important part of surgical and critical treatment in hospitals. The workload is substantial, the pace is rapid, and the working environment is intense; therefore, nurses who work in clean operating rooms are constantly challenged, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Life satisfaction and resilience are important factors that ensure mental health. Therefore, exploring the mediating role of life satisfaction in the influence of resilience on depression among nurses in clean operating rooms can help improve nursing services and teamwork.

AIM

To explore the mediating effect of satisfaction on the influence of resilience on depression among nurses in a clean operating department.

METHODS

From April to November 2022, 196 nurses from the Department of Clean Operating at Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital participated in this study. Participants were selected using convenience sampling. Participants' gender, age, marital status, position, length of service, personal monthly income, daily working hours, employment status, and professional title were collected, and the Connor-Davidson resilience scale, satisfaction with life scale, and self-rating depression scale were used to evaluate resilience, life satisfaction, and depression. The researchers conducted professional training in advance, introduced the research methods to the participants before the investigation, and explained the study's significance and purpose. Surveys were distributed and collected on-site. Each questionnaire took 30 min to complete.

RESULTS

The average scores for life satisfaction, resilience, and depression were 3.13 (± 0.28), 4.09 (± 0.78), and 56.21 (± 8.70), respectively. The correlation between resilience and depression was negative (r = -0.829, P < 0.01). Life satisfaction was positively related to resilience (r = 0.855, P < 0.01) and negatively related to depression (r = -0.778, P < 0.01). The relationship between resilience and depression was partially mediated by life satisfaction. The value of the mediating effect was -6.853 (26.68% of the total effect).

CONCLUSION

Life satisfaction partially mediates the link between resilience and depression among nurses in clean operating departments.

Satisfied with Life? The Protective Function of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship between Perceived Stress and Negative Mental Health Outcomes

Life satisfaction is a key index of well-being, yet few studies have examined its role as a protective factor in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study expands the research in this area through an examination of the role of life satisfaction in the relationship between perceived stress and negative indices of mental health. Participants were university students (N = 322) who completed the Perceived Stress Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and short forms of the trait scale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Depression Scale, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. The results indicate that life satisfaction had a health-sustaining effect on indices of well-being. It also moderated the relationship between perceived stress, on the one hand, and anxiety and hopelessness, on the other hand. Further, life satisfaction played a partial mediating role in the relationship between perceived stress and indices of mental health. The findings suggest that life satisfaction could be a protective factor in the context of stressful life events. Cultivating life satisfaction through mindfulness training and the enhancement of gratitude could potentially sustain mental health.

Long COVID in the context of social determinants of health

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for the public health system and has highlighted health disparities. COVID-19 vaccines have effectively protected against infection and severe disease, but some patients continue to suffer from symptoms after their condition is resolved. These post-acute sequelae, or long COVID, continues to disproportionately affect some patients based on their social determinants of health (SDOH). This paper uses the World Health Organization's (WHO) SDOH conceptual framework to explore how SDOH influences long COVID outcomes.

Adolescents’ perceived stress of COVID-19 and self-compassion in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Objectives

Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health challenges for adolescent populations. The current study aims to examine the levels of perceived stress of COVID-19 and self-compassion and their relationship among adolescents in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This study employed a cross-sectional online survey of adolescents from secondary schools in Asir, Saudi Arabia. Instruments we distributed online included the modified Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), in addition to demographic and health-related questions. A total of 500 adolescents completed the survey.

Results

Adolescents in the study reported an average moderate perceived stress level of 18.6 (SD = 6.67) and an average moderate self-compassion level of 3.22 (SD = 0.53). A significant correlation is also found between the two variables (r = −0.460, P < 0.001). This negative correlation indicates that lower levels of perceived stress are significantly correlated with higher levels of self-compassion.

Conclusion

The study results show that the perceived stress of COVID-19 is inversely correlated with self-compassion in Saudi adolescents. Further research is needed to explore how to enhance adolescents' self-compassion. School nurses’ role should be given full play in this area.

Stress and depressive symptoms in university students in Hong Kong under the pandemic: Moderating effect of positive psychological attributes

Introduction

There are very few studies examining the psychological well-being of university students in Hong Kong under the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides COVID-19-related stress, the "social event" in 2019-2020 has caused significant stress in young people. As such, we attempted to answer several research questions in this paper. First, what are the relationships between stresses (COVID-19 and "social event" related stresses) and psychological well-being indexed by depressive symptoms? Based on the stress and coping perspective, we predicted that there would be positive relationships between both types of stress and depression. Second, what are the relationships between different positive psychological factors (including life satisfaction, resilience and emotional management, flourishing, and beliefs about adversity) and depression? Based on different theoretical models of positive psychology, we hypothesized that negative relationships would exist between positive psychological factors and depressive symptoms. Third, do positive psychological attributes moderate the associations between stresses (COVID-19 and "social event" related stresses) and depressive symptoms? Based on the positive psychology literature, we hypothesized that positive psychological attributes would buffer the negative impact of stresses on depression.

Methods

We recruited university students roughly one year after the first wave of the pandemic (N = 1,648) in early 2021. We used 25 items to measure COVID-19-related stress and "social event" related stress. For psychological well-being indexed by depressive symptoms, we used the "Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R)". For positive psychological attributes, we employed established measures of life satisfaction, resilience and emotional management, flourishing, and beliefs about adversity.

Results

Regarding the relationship between stress and depression, we found positive relationships between both types of stress and depressive symptoms. As predicted, negative relationships existed between all positive psychological attributes and depressive symptoms. Besides, the positive psychological attributes significantly moderated the effects of stresses on depression, suggesting that these factors can reduce the negative impacts of stresses on depression. The present findings provide support for those models, highlighting the importance of positive psychological attributes as protective factors for university students' depression.

Discussion

The findings of this study underscore the important role of positive psychological attributes in the stress-depression relationship in university students under the pandemic. The findings also generalize the positive youth development theory in the Chinese context. In terms of practice, university administrators and service providers should consider cultivating positive psychological attributes in university students with the purpose of promoting their psychological well-being.