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Death Anxiety, Personality, and COVID 19 Prevention: Self Regulation as Mediator
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Mehdi Abuyesani   , Davoud Taghvaei , Zabih Pirani |
| Department of Psychology, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran |
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Abstract: (117 Views) |
Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 had widespread effects on society, including the closure of educational centers, and highlighted the importance of preventive behaviors. This study examined the role of death anxiety and personality traits in enhancing preventive behaviors among 398 second-grade high school students in Tehran (221 boys and 177 girls; mean age = 16.7 ± 1.0 years), considering the mediating role of self-regulation.
Methods: This research was applied in purpose and descriptive-correlational in methodology. A sample of 416 students was initially selected via Cochran’s formula, and 398 valid questionnaires were returned (95.67% response rate). Data were collected using the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (1970), NEO Five-Factor Inventory—Short Form (1992), Francis Self-Regulation Questionnaire (1999), and Sanjari COVID-19 Preventive Behavior Inventory (2020) and analyzed via path analysis using LISREL 8.80.
Results: Data analysis revealed that conscientiousness (β=0.45, t=3.45), self-regulation (β=0.28, t=5.80), and death anxiety (β=0.30, t=6.58) were positively and significantly associated with preventive behaviors (p < 0.05), whereas neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, and agreeableness were not significantly associated with preventive behaviors (p > 0.05). Additionally, death anxiety and conscientiousness indirectly influenced preventive behaviors through self-regulation (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings underscore that enhancing positive personality traits and self-regulatory mechanisms, alongside reducing death anxiety, can improve COVID-19 preventive behaviors among second-grade high school students. These insights can inform the design of effective school-based interventions. |
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| Keywords: Anxiety, COVID-19, Preventive Medicine, Self-Control |
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Full-Text [PDF 976 kb]
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Letter: Original Article |
Subject:
General
Received: 2024/03/19 | Accepted: 2025/05/24 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/06/21 | Published: 2025/07/23
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