The relationship between psychological distress, meaning in life, and life satisfaction in the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fear of being infected, losing relatives, and measures taken to prevent contamination (e.g., lockdowns, quarantining, spatial distancing, etc.) have all increased the risk of depression, anxiety and stress. In the present study, the relationship between psychological distress, meaning in life, and life satisfaction was explored among individuals who were infected and not infected with COVID-19 during the pandemic. The present study is the first to examine these variables simultaneously. The sample comprised 687 adult individuals over the age of 18 years (mean=30.51 years). Results indicated that adult individuals with high life satisfaction had lower levels of psychological distress, find life more meaningful, and seek meaning less. Psychological distress was positively related with the search for meaning in life and negatively related with the existence of meaning in life. Moreover, depressive symptoms and the existence of meaning in life were significant predictors of life satisfaction.
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