Mediating Role of Religiosity in the Relationship between Coronavirus Stress and Life Satisfaction among University Students of Pakistan

Sumbal Mehmood and Umm-e-Rubab Kazmi

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 had a major effect on the mental and physical health of students. This study aimed to explore the mediational role of religiosity between coronavirus stress and life satisfaction among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was used. Public and private sector university students (N= 300) with the age range of 18-25 years were selected through purposive sampling from February 2021 to June 2021. The results indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between religiosity and life satisfaction and a significant negative relationship between coronavirus stress and life satisfaction in youth. Danger and contamination subscales were negative predictors of life satisfaction. Furthermore, religiosity was a significant mediator between coronavirus stress in terms of danger, contamination, and life satisfaction. Campus counselors might consider incorporating the role of religiosity in their intervention plans to reduce the levels of coronavirus stress and consequently enhance students` life satisfaction. This study also has implications for supporting youth with interventions to improve positive aspects of religiosity and life satisfaction given Pakistan’s high infectious disease burden and chronic disease burdens.