The Mediating Role of Positive and Negative Affect in the Relationship between Death Anxiety and Italian Students’ Perceptions of Distance Learning Quality during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Maria Rita Sergi (), Laura Picconi, Alessandra Fermani, Ramona Bongelli, Sara Lezzi, Aristide Saggino and Marco Tommasi
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Maria Rita Sergi: Department of Medicine and Aging Science, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Laura Picconi: Department of Medicine and Aging Science, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Alessandra Fermani: Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
Ramona Bongelli: Department of Political Science, Communication and International Relations, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
Sara Lezzi: Department of Medicine and Aging Science, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Aristide Saggino: Department of Medicine and Aging Science, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Marco Tommasi: Department of Medicine and Aging Science, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy

Societies, 2023, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: Recent data show that death anxiety and negative affect (NA) have become increasingly relevant because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The constant reminders of mortality through mass media and social media have contributed to this trend. Simultaneously, students have experienced a sudden and radical shift from face-to-face to online teaching, reducing direct human interactions and increasing anxiety. Death anxiety is often associated with mental illnesses and maladaptive mood states such as depression, anxiety, and NA. Despite this, few studies have investigated the effect of death anxiety, positive affect (PA), and NA on students’ perceived quality of distance learning. The present study aims to investigate the association among death anxiety, PA, NA, and the perceived quality of distance learning in a sample of 429 students attending university or training courses. Positive and negative affect were assessed through the positive and negative affect scales; death anxiety was measured through the death anxiety scale, and the perceived quality of distance learning was evaluated through the perceived quality of distance learning questionnaire. Zero-order correlation coefficients were calculated among the examined variables. To study the mediating role of positive and negative affect in the relationship between students’ perceptions of distance learning quality and death anxiety, we employed multiple regression analyses. Our findings indicate a significant association between death anxiety and cognitive–emotive reactions to distance learning. Lower levels of death anxiety are associated with PA, while higher levels are related to NA. Moreover, PA and NA act as mediators in the relationship between death anxiety and a positive reaction to distance learning. In conclusion, our findings highlight that PA and NA partially mediate the relationship between death anxiety and the perceived quality of distance learning.

Keywords: death anxiety; positive affect; negative affect; mediation analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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