Abstract:
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has been very disruptive, and thus is likely to result in substantial challenges to mental health.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fear of COVID‐19 on the mental well‐being and quality of life among Saudi adult population and to evaluate the impact of perceived social support.
Materials and Methods: This cross‐sectional study used an anonymous online survey, where participants were administered the Fear of COVID‐19 Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, European Health Interview Survey‐Quality of Life and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. A path analysis was used to investigate the proposed theoretical domain structure linking fear of COVID‐19 with perceived social support, mental well‐being and quality of life.
Results: A total of 1029 Saudi adults with a mean age of 33.7 years (SD 11.5) responded to the survey. Descriptive analysis showed that this sample was fearful of COVID‐19, anxious and depressed but, at the same time, reported high quality of life and perceived social support scores. Path analysis indicated that increased fear of COVID‐19 was directly associated with diminished mental well‐being, which in turn was associated with lower quality of life. The beneficial effects of perceived social support were stronger on quality of life than on mental well‐being. No direct link was found between fear of COVID‐19 and quality of life.
Conclusion: These findings emphasize the importance of having effective social systems in place to minimize the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on mental well‐being and quality of life.
