Why does COVID-19 make me depressed? The longitudinal relationships between fear of COVID-19 and depressive symptoms: a moderated mediation model

Numerous cross-sectional studies have indicated a significant association between fear of COVID-19 and mental health issues, such as depressive symptoms. However, limited research has explored the longitudinal relationship and underlying mechanisms between fear of COVID-19 and depressive symptoms. To address the research gap, we conducted a three-wave longitudinal study between October 2021 and September 2022, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and developed a moderated mediation model incorporating loneliness and hope. A total of 366 Chinese undergraduates participated in the study at Time 1, with 346 and 339 students completing subsequent surveys at Time 2 and Time 3 over the course of a year. All participants completed self-report surveys online. Results revealed a positive correlation between fear of COVID-19 and depressive symptoms, with loneliness partially mediating this relationship. Moreover, trait hope moderated the direct effect of fear of COVID-19 on depressive symptoms, with the direct effect being insignificant for individuals with high levels of hope. Thus, hope may serve as a protective factor for young adults to mitigate the impact of fear of COVID-19 on depressive symptoms. These findings provide insight into the underlying mechanisms linking fear of COVID-19 and depressive symptoms, and offer enlightening coping strategies (e.g., hope-based interventions) for depression resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.