Korean J Psychosom Med.  2024 Jun;32(1):34-42. 10.22722/KJPM.2024.32.1.34.

Does Self-Efficacy Mediate the Effect of Psychological Factors on Depression During COVID-19 Pandemic?

• Kim J
• Chung S
• Kim SY

• KMID: 2564516
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22722/KJPM.2024.32.1.34

Abstract

Objectives
：This study aimed to explore the association between depression and perceived stress, viral anxiety, reassurance-seeking behavior, and poor sleep quality among the general population in Bangladesh, with self-efficacy as a possible mediator.
Methods
：Data on stress and anxiety during the pandemic in Bangladesh were collected through an online survey from September 16, 2021 to October 4, 2021. Viral anxiety and depression were measured using the Bangla version of Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemic-6 (SAVE-6) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), re- spectively. Self-efficacy was measured by the General Self-efficacy (GSE) scale. Reassurance-seeking behavior related to the coronavirus disease 2019 infection was measured by the Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behav-iors Scale (CRBS).
Results
：The CRBS showed a significant correlation with SAVE-6 (r=0.281, p<0.001) and PHQ-9 (r=0.227, p<0.001). People with higher anxiety, reassurance-seeking behavior, and poor sleep quality had lower self-effi-cacy, which led to depression. In contrast, perceived stress increased self-efficacy. The psychological factors im-pacted depression directly as well as indirectly, and self-efficacy mediated the association.
Conclusions
：Viral anxiety, reassurance-seeking behavior, perceived stress, and poor sleep quality have a close correlation with depression both directly and indirectly. Self-efficacy can be a mediating factor in the asso-ciation between psychological distress and depression. Viral anxiety, reassurance-seeking behavior, and poor sleep quality reduce self-efficacy. On the other hand, perceived stress can strengthen self-efficacy.

Keyword

COVID-19; Depression; Anxiety; Perceived stress; Self-efficacy