TITLE:
COVID-19 and Quality of Life: The Role of Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Factors
AUTHORS:
Antonios Poulios, Anna Christopoulos, Vassilis Pavlopoulos, Melina Tsiodra, Eva Stefanakou, Maria Stavrakaki, Charalampos Risvas, Christos Panaritis, Emmanouil Lagos, Mara Ktena, Kalliopi Karadimitri, Alexandra Bekiari, Katerina Alexopoulou, Valeria Pomini, Rossetos Gournellis, Maria Ginieri-Coccosis
KEYWORDS:
COVID-19, Quality of Life, Perceived Risk of Infection, Infection Control Beliefs, Reflective Functioning, Trust, Emotionality, Coping Strategies
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.12 No.10,
October
19,
2021
ABSTRACT: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on quality of life is widely underscored. This study aimed to investigate the role of cognitive, affective, and behavioral factors on quality of life, as well as their mediating effect in the relationship of perceived risk of infection and control beliefs with quality of life. The sample consisted of 1730 adults. A battery of established and self-devised scales was administered online. It was found that higher levels of perceived risk of infection and negative emotionality predicted worse quality of life, while reflective functioning independently contributed to better well-being. Furthermore, a greater sense of personal control predicted better quality of life, but this effect was partially mediated by positive reappraisal, wishful thinking, avoidance, and trust. Specifically, higher level of control beliefs predicted better quality of life through higher levels of positive reappraisal and trust along with less use of wishful thinking and avoidance. Adherence to preventive measures was unrelated to quality of life. It is concluded that psychological factors and adaptive coping strategies should be prioritized in designing interventions and policies against COVID-19 pandemic.