Gratitude as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Coronavirus Anxiety and Psychological Well-Being Among Emerging Adults: A Quantitative Study

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the psychological health of emerging adults, a developmental group already navigating transitional life challenges. Coronavirus Anxiety, characterized by persistent fear and preoccupation with the virus, has been linked to deteriorations in Psychological Well-being. Emerging evidence suggests that positive psychological traits like Gratitude may serve as protective factors in times of crisis. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether Gratitude mediates the relationship between Coronavirus Anxiety and Psychological Well-being among emerging adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational design was employed. A sample of 300 emerging adults (aged 18–25) residing in Karachi completed self-report measures including the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, the Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6), and the Psychological Well-being Scale. Data were analyzed using stepwise regression to test the mediation model. Results: Results indicated a significant negative relationship between Coronavirus Anxiety and Psychological Well-being (R² = 0.049, p < .01). The inclusion of Gratitude as a mediating variable enhanced the model's explanatory power (R² = 0.073, p < .01), confirming Gratitude as a significant partial mediator. Conclusion: Gratitude plays a meaningful role in mitigating the adverse psychological effects of Coronavirus Anxiety among emerging adults. Integrating gratitude-based practices into mental health interventions may enhance resilience and well-being in pandemic-affected populations.

 Keywords: Coronavirus Anxiety, Psychological Well-being, Gratitude, Emerging Adults, COVID-19, Karachi, Pakistan.