Death Concerns, Benefit-Finding, and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Existential Psychology

Background:

• The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic heightened mortality salience.
• Terror management theory suggests defensive tactics against death awareness.
• Alternative research indicates existential concerns can drive health-promoting actions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the link between coronavirus anxieties, fear of death, and well-being.
• To investigate whether COVID-19-related mortality concerns influence benefit finding and psychological health.
• To examine the mediating role of benefit finding in the relationship between mortality salience and well-being.

Main Methods:

• Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze associations.
• Participants' coronavirus anxieties, fear of death, and well-being indicators were assessed.
• The study examined direct and indirect effects between variables.

Main Results:

• Increased mortality concerns due to COVID-19 were associated with greater benefit finding.
• Benefit finding positively predicted life satisfaction, meaning in life, self-esteem, resilience, and vitality.
• Benefit finding negatively correlated with depression and stress.
• No reverse mediation was found; fear of mortality did not predict well-being via coronavirus worries.

Conclusions:

• Despite mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, increased mortality awareness can paradoxically foster positive outcomes.
• Benefit finding, prompted by existential concerns, enhances psychological well-being and life appreciation.
• The findings highlight the potential for growth and improved health following existential threats.