Development of a Causal Model of Perception of the COVID-19 Pandemic Based on Psychological Distress, Emotional Processing, and Self-Control with the Mediation of Psychological Well-Being in Young Adults

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research was to develop a causal model of perception of the COVID-19 pandemic based on psychological distress, emotional processing, and self-control, with the mediation of psychological well-being in young adults.

Methods and Materials: This study is applied in terms of its purpose, descriptive-correlational in terms of its study type, and field study in terms of data collection. The statistical population included the youth of Tabriz city. This group consists of all residents of Tabriz. The sample size was determined to be 385 individuals using convenience sampling, based on Cochran's formula (in an infinite population) (Erikson's theory considers youth age to range from 19 to 30 years). The instruments used in this study for data collection were the Perception of COVID-19 Pandemic Questionnaire, Psychological Distress Scale by Kessler et al. (2002), Emotional Processing Scale by Baker et al. (2010), Self-Control Scale by Tangney et al. (2004), and Psychological Well-Being Scale by Ryff (1989).

Findings:  The results indicated that there is a positive and significant relationship between psychological distress and perception of the COVID-19 pandemic in young adults, whereas this relationship between emotional processing, self-control, and psychological well-being with the perception of the COVID-19 pandemic in young adults is negative and significant. Additionally, based on the research findings, it can be stated that there is a positive and significant relationship between psychological distress and perception of the COVID-19 pandemic with the mediation of psychological well-being in young adults, but there is a negative and significant relationship between emotional processing, self-control, and perception of the COVID-19 pandemic with the mediation of psychological well-being in young adults.

Conclusion:  The results confirm the suitability of the causal model of perception of the COVID-19 pandemic based on psychological distress, emotional processing, and self-control with the mediation of psychological well-being.