The mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between neuroticism and death anxiety among women in Isfahan during the coronavirus pandemic

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the structural modeling of the mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between neuroticism and death anxiety among 25–50-year-old women during coronavirus infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present correlational study was conducted with the presence of 130 people (women) using the available sampling method in Isfahan. The Perceived Stress Scale, BFI Five Factor Scale and Death Anxiety Scale were used to measure the research variables. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling, and also SPSS version 23 and Smart PLS3 statistical. RESULT: Findings show that the indirect coefficient of neuroticism on death anxiety mediated by perceived stress in the model was significant (P < 0.05) although the mediation rate was partial. Also, in modeling structural equations, the direct effect of perceived stress on death anxiety (0.195), neuroticism on perceived stress (0.305), neuroticism on death anxiety (0.407) were achieved significantly (05/0p). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that with increase of neuroticism, death anxiety increases in women and with the entry of perceived stress in this regard and increasing this variable in women, the effect of neuroticism on death anxiety increases. Paying attention to this mechanism can be useful in formulating effective preventive and therapeutic interventions for women to reduce the effects of neuroticism and death anxiety.