The COVID-19 pandemic has not only accounted for a substantial number of deaths all over the world but also deleterious mental health outcomes.
Several studies [1,2] have recently highlighted the mental desease of the pandemic crisis, especially due to home confinement, social distancing, compulsory face mask usage, travel bans, and school suspension. Although complying with prevention measures minimizes the spread of the virus, social distancing might also trigger certain negative psychological effects.
Additionally, with its high infection and mortality rates, the sudden collapse of industries and related financial loss might result in the further deterioration of such negative psychological effects through the current pandemic. A rise in mental health problems during such times of crisis is not a recent phenomenon. The literature documents that prior viral pandemics and epidemics have been highly impactful on the mental health of individuals and society.
For instance, a growing body of research has demonstrated that fear regarding the current pandemic has facilitated the development of mental health issues, including psychological distress, panic disorder, insomnia, post-traumatic stress symptoms, moderate or severe depressive symptoms and anxiety [1].
Unsurprisingly, positive psychological strengths are critical to countering the negative effects of fear during such adverse situations as they lessen the psychological burden of prolonged distress. In this regard, one of the potential concepts that might help to cope with such fear is surely mindfulness. Mindfulness refers to the awareness of the present moment and acceptance of thoughts and feelings without judgment. Thus, numerous clinical studies have supported the idea that mindfulness enhances positive psychological strengths such as resilience to stress, life satisfaction, positive affect, bravery and self-regulation, and self-compassion [1].
The objective of these studies is to find a relationship between mindfulness which offers
helpful tools to face depression and anxiety, and the decrease of the negative effects of fear of COVID-19 on individuals’ mental health. In these studies [1] indicators of fear, mindful attention and awareness, and symptoms of anxiety and depression have been investigated. The results show that the decreased fear of COVID-19 is related to increased mindfulness. The findings highlight the potential benefits of mindfulness as a protective factor against the negative effects of pandemic-related stressors. Furthermore future research is required to elucidate this association and establish the mechanisms by which mindfulness practice may protect against psychological distress all over the population.
[1] Fear of COVID-19 and Mental Health: The Role of Mindfulness in During Times of Crisis. – Belen, H.; Int J Ment Health Addiction 20, 607–618 (2022).
[2] The moderating and mediating roles of mindfulness and rumination on COVID-19 stress and depression: A longitudinal study of young adults. – Schachter, J., Ajayi, A. A., & Nguyen, P. L. (2022); Journal of Counseling Psychology, 69 (5), 73.
