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PreprintCited by 2COVID-19 and Mental HealthStudent Stress and CopingAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

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The relationship between fear, loneliness, and depression among university students: A structural equation model

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shindi, Yousef Abdelqader Abu, Al-Bahrani, Muna Abdullah, Alkharusi, Hussain Ali·2023·Research Square
DOI 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2766530/v1
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the causal relationship among fear of Covid-19, loneliness, and depression from Covid-19. The study sample consisted of 605 undergraduate students recruited from a public university. They completed three scales: fear of Covid-19, depression from Covid-19, and loneliness. The results revealed a good fit index for the proposed path model. The fear of Covid-19 predicted two types of loneliness emotional and social negatively. A positive association between depression and emotional as well as social loneliness was found. A total of 43% of the variance in depression was explained by loneliness. Depression was potentially a mediating factor between a fear of pandemic and the feeling of loneliness. A counseling intervention can be designed based on these results.

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Metadata

Authors
shindi, Y. A. A., Al-Bahrani, M. A., & Alkharusi, H. A.
Affiliations
  • Sultan Qaboos University (OM)
  • Sultan Qaboos University
ORCID
Venue
Research Square
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
Published
2023-04-27
DOI
10.21203/rs.3.rs-2766530/v1
OpenAlex
W4367173365
Cited by
2
References
7
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 1
Type
posted content
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
Research Square (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
fear of COVID-19, loneliness, depression, emotional loneliness, social loneliness, university students, counseling intervention

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: The relationship between fear, loneliness, and depression among university students: A structural equation model. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2766530/v1
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shindi, Y. A. A., Al-Bahrani, M. A., & Alkharusi, H. A. (2023). The relationship between fear, loneliness, and depression among university students: A structural equation model. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2766530/v1