Death Anxiety and WellBeing in Doctors During COVID-19: The Explanatory and Boosting Roles of Sleep Quality and Work Locality

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, a global public health crisis, has triggered anxiety and fear of death in general public and particularly among health professionals. This study aimed to assess the direct and mediated associations between death anxiety, sleep quality, and subjective wellbeing in doctors working during the pandemic. A secondary aim was tested to analyze the interactive role of workplace locality in these associations. An indirect-effect model was tested on a sample of 244 doctors working during the pandemic. Findings revealed that the association between death anxiety and subjective wellbeing was mediated through sleep quality. Furthermore, death anxiety significantly and negatively predicted subjective wellbeing in doctors working in rural setups compared to those working in urban setups. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.