Psychological aspects in health and diseases
Fatemeh Azizi Ganjehei; Isaac Rahimian-Boogar
Abstract
Objective: Death anxiety and fear of infection are crucial psychological factors influencing adjustment disorders during infectious disease outbreaks. Conversely, perceived social support and psychological resilience function as protective buffers. This study investigated how death anxiety and fear of ...
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Objective: Death anxiety and fear of infection are crucial psychological factors influencing adjustment disorders during infectious disease outbreaks. Conversely, perceived social support and psychological resilience function as protective buffers. This study investigated how death anxiety and fear of COVID-19 predict adjustment disorder, with perceived social support and psychological resilience as potential mediators.Method: Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, 400 adults were recruited through convenience sampling in Tehran, Iran. Participants completed the International Adjustment Disorder Questionnaire, Death Anxiety Scale, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (SPSS v26) and structural equation modeling (AMOS v26).Results: Fear of COVID-19 showed a significant positive association with adjustment disorder (β = 0.18, p = 0.012), while perceived social support (β = –0.25, p < 0.001) and psychological resilience (β = –0.24, p < 0.001) were negatively associated with adjustment disorder. Psychological resilience partially mediated the link between fear of COVID-19 and adjustment disorder (indirect β = 0.07, p = 0.016). Death anxiety was not a significant predictor of adjustment disorder (p > 0.05).Conclusion: The findings emphasize that fear of COVID-19, resilience, and perceived social support play distinct and interrelated roles in predicting adjustment disorder. Interventions aimed at strengthening resilience and social support may mitigate the psychological impact of pandemic-related stressors. Further research is recommended to refine these pathways and inform targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
