IMPACT OF COVID-19 FEAR ON MENTAL WELLBEING: SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS AND OPTIMISM AS MULTIPLE MEDIATORS

The purpose of this research is to investigate the mediating effects of social connectedness and optimism in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and mental wellbeing. The sample consisted of 826 individuals (57.7% females, Mage = 23.97, SD = 7.65). The participants completed four scales measuring mental wellbeing, fear of COVID-19, social connectedness, and optimism. The correlation analysis results showed that mental wellbeing, social connectedness, and optimism were negatively related to fear of COVID-19. Additionally, structural equation modelling revealed that social connectedness and optimism mediated the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and mental wellbeing. Findings expanded our understanding of the association among COVID-19 fear, social connectedness, optimism, and mental wellbeing during the pandemic.