The Relationship of Fear of Death Between Neuroticism and Anxiety During the Covid-19 Pandemic

After a lockdown, particularly one where human life is at risk, there are expected to be psychological consequences. The examination of personality traits, where different adaptative and non-adaptative behaviors in the face of adversity are expected, is our interest. The aim of this research was to analyze the role fear of personal death played during the Covid-19 outbreak in relation to personality and anxiety. The main results can be described as follows: women displayed higher scores on anxiety and fear of personal death; gender, fear of personal death, neuroticism, and extraversion predicted anxiety; in men, the fear of personal death mediated the relationship between neuroticism and anxiety.

Automated summary

The study found that lockdowns, especially those involving risk to human life, may have psychological effects on individuals. Women showed higher levels of anxiety and fear of personal death, with gender, fear of personal death, neuroticism, and extraversion predicting anxiety levels. In men, fear of personal death mediated the relationship between neuroticism and anxiety.