Analyzing the Mediating Effect of Psychological Resilience on the Relationship between COVID-19 Fear and Happiness

Abstract

Background / purpose – Psychological resilience is considered a factor that can support teachers’ adaptation to rapidly changing situations such as COVID-19, and in turn help to reduce the fear they may experience. The current study aims to examine the effect of COVID19 fear on happiness through the mediating effect of psychological resilience based on teachers' perceptions. Materials / methods – The study was designed according to the relational survey model, and was conducted with the participation of 346 teachers. Research data were collected through online surveys. The study used the Sobel, Aroian, and Goodman tests to test the significance of the effect of the mediator variables between the dependent and independent variables Results – The results of the study showed that teachers’ fear of COVID-19 significantly affected their happiness level. However, it was found that fear related to COVID-19 significantly predicted resilience and teachers’ resilience level had a significant effect on their happiness. Conclusion – Fear and resilience associated with COVID-19 have a significant impact on happiness. In addition, psychological resilience was found to have a mediating effect on the relationship between fear and happiness associated with COVID-19. The findings of this study will lead the other researchers to expand their studies to assess other behavioral variables, such as apathy and depression that might influence the relationship between fear of covid, resilience and happiness.