The mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between perceived COVID-19 threat and death anxiety

The mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between perceived COVID-19 threat and death anxiety

Mehmet Ak, Mehmet Kavaklı, Faruk Uğuz, Osman Oğulcan Türkmen

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic is a new and highlydetrimental event that has influenced the world over.Besides the obvious health risks, COVID-19 has alsoaffected people psychologically. The high risk of contamination can increase the perceived COVID-19 threatand death anxiety in individuals. The aim of the presentstudy was to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between perceived COVID-19threat and death anxiety. Additionally, the study alsoinvestigated the role of gender, profession and incomelevel in the perceived COVID-19 threat and death anxiety.Method: The research sample was composed of 562individuals from the community. The data was gatheredby using personal information form and the PerceivedCOVID-19 Threat Form, Self-Compassion Scale andTurkish Death Anxiety Scale. Results: The relationshipbetween perceived COVID-19 threat and death anxietywas partially mediated by self-compassion. Moreover,people in the high income group had a lower level ofperceived COVID-19 threat and death anxiety score compared to the low-income group. Perceived COVID-19threat levels were lower among health care professionalscompared to unemployed individuals. Female participants had a higher level of perceived COVID-19 threatand death anxiety score compared to male participants.Discussion: Self-compassion may be an essential variable to help cope with problems related to perceivedCOVID-19 threat and death anxiety. Improving ourunderstanding of the psychological impacts of COVID-19is necessary and essential.

2020

Anxiety, covid-19, Anxiety disorders, Death Anxiety

10.5505/kpd.2020.59862

Klinik Psikiyatri Dergisi

ANP Publishing

Psychiatry, Therapeutics. Psychotherapy