MITIGATION OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, STRESS, AND AGGRESSION VIA RELIGIOSITY/SPIRITUALITY DURING THE 3RD WAVE OF COVID-19 AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Due to the sudden shift in teaching methods, the pandemic has adversely
obstructed students' psychological condition. Persons living with mental
illness use religion and spirituality to cope, especially in stressful times.
Religious-spiritual coping can help reduce depression, anxiety, stress, and
aggression. An online quantitative survey was conducted. The DASS21, Buss
and Perry BAQ, and Religiosity and Spirituality Scale for youth (RSSY) were
used to collect data. The study included 420 university students, of which
48.33% and 51.66 % were males and females respectively. The average age
of participants was 21. Third-wave COVID-19 found religion/spirituality to
be a significant alleviating factor of depression, anxiety, stress, and
aggression. The study also found significant correlations between depression,
anxiety, stress, and aggression in males and females. The findings provided
insight into how to apply religious/spiritual intervention tactics to mitigate
Covid-19's disadvantages.