Relationship Between Hardiness and Stress of COVID-19 by Mediating Role of Mindfulness in Iranian Students

Background: Some stressors, such as diseases like Covid-19, can cause anxiety and health concerns. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between hardiness and stress of COVID-19 by mediating the role of mindfulness in Iranian students. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. The statistical population was university students in 2020-2021. The participants were selected through convenience sampling and based on online self-report tools. The Iranian university students were encouraged to participate in an online survey promoted by Internet ads, e-mails, forums, social networks, and short message service (SMS) programs. So participants consisted of 414 university students. All respondents completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS; 2003), the COVID-19 Stress Scale (CSS; 2021), and the Personal Views Survey (PVS; 2006). An independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and regression test were used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed a significant relationship between all variables with the stress of COVID-19. Most of these correlations were in the moderate range. Structural equation modeling showed the overall effects of hardiness on the stress of COVID-19 (β = -0.536, P=.001), the indirect effects (β =-0.177, P=0.002), and the direct effects of hardiness on the stress of COVID-19 (β = -0.365, P=0.009) were significant. Conclusion: These results have extended the existing literature by clarifying the role of mindfulness on the hardiness and stress of COVID-19 among Iranian students. According to the results of this study, it is recommended to implement programs to reduce the stress of COVID-19 and increase psychological hardiness through virtual and electronic mindfulness training workshops.