The mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between perceived COVID-19 threat and death anxiety

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic is a new and highly detrimental event that has influenced the world over Besides the obvious health risks, COVID-19 has also affected people psychologically The high risk of contamination can increase the perceived COVID-19 threat and death anxiety in individuals The aim of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between perceived COVID-19 threat and death anxiety Additionally, the study also investigated the role of gender, profession and income level in the perceived COVID-19 threat and death anxiety Method: The research sample was composed of 562 individuals from the community The data was gathered by using personal information form and the Perceived COVID-19 Threat Form, Self-Compassion Scale and Turkish Death Anxiety Scale Results: The relationship between perceived COVID-19 threat and death anxiety was partially mediated by self-compassion Moreover, people in the high income group had a lower level of perceived COVID-19 threat and death anxiety score compared to the low-income group Perceived COVID-19 threat levels were lower among health care professionals compared to unemployed individuals Female participants had a higher level of perceived COVID-19 threat and death anxiety score compared to male participants Discussion: Self-compassion may be an essential variable to help cope with problems related to perceived COVID-19 threat and death anxiety Improving our understanding of the psychological impacts of COVID-19 is necessary and essential