Deriving meaning from chaos: the mediating role of the sense of coherence in the serial relationships among fear of Covid-19, indices of psychological distress, and life satisfaction
Abstract
The current study focused on the role of the sense of coherence (SOC) in the serial relationships among the fear of COVID-19, indices of psychological distress, and life satisfaction. It examined
the hypothesis that an SOC would mitigate the impact of the fear of COVID-19 on psychological
distress, which in turn would positively impact life satisfaction. Participants were school teachers
(N = 355) who completed the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the short form of the Sense of Coherence Scale, and the Satisfaction
with Life Scale. A path analysis confirmed the mediating role of the dimensions of the SOC in the
relationships among the fear of COVID-19, indices of psychological distress, and life satisfaction.
Specifically, comprehensibility, meaningfulness, and manageability were found to mediate the associations between the fear of COVID-19 and anxiety, and the fear of COVID-19 and hopelessness,
which in turn were associated with higher levels of life satisfaction. The findings confirmed that an
SOC is an important source of resilience. Interventions that facilitate the re-appraisal of stressors as
challenges and enhance the awareness of practical coping strategies can build an SOC and promote
mental health.