When Coping Resources Fail: The Health-Sustaining and Moderating Role of Fortitude in the Relationship Between COVID-19-Related Worries and Psychological Distress

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health crisis and governments worldwide have attempted to mitigate the spread of the virus by implementing a range of stringent preventative measures. However, both the pandemic and the preventative strategies enacted may undercut critical protective factors that are known to buffer the negative impact of psychological stressors. The current study aimed to characterise the mental health impact of the pandemic in South Africa by investigating the potential protective role of fortitude in the relationship between COVID-19-related worries and psychological distress, indicated by the levels of depression and hopelessness. The participants were 337 young adults who completed four self-report questionnaires: the Fortitude Questionnaire, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Centre for Epidemiological Depression Scale and the COVID19-Related Worries Scale. In addition to descriptive statistics, path analysis was performed to determine the direct, indirect, mediating and moderating effects of fortitude on psychological distress. In this regard, psychological distress was conceptualised as a latent variable that is defined by the two indices of depression and hopelessness. The results demonstrated unprecedented levels of hopelessness and depression among the study sample. These levels were significantly higher than those encountered in previous studies in other contexts, suggesting a possible mental health crisis in the country. Women reported higher levels of psychological distress than men. On its own, fortitude had significant direct effects on psychological distress, affirming its role as a protective factor. However, fortitude was found to have an aggravating rather than buffering effect in interaction with worries. In this regard, the relationship between COVID-19-related worries and psychological distress was stronger among those with high levels of fortitude.