The relationship between moral intelligence and corona anxiety in students: the mediating role of distress tolerance

Introduction: identifying and targeting factors predicting the anxiety of the corona virus can be effective in health management; therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the mediating role of distress tolerance in the relationship between moral intelligence and covid-19 anxiety in students. Methods: The current descriptive-correlational structural equation study was conducted using the path analysis method, from the statistical population that included all male students of Farhangian University of Shahid Bahonar Campus in Birjand in the academic year 2019-2020 (the last three months of 2019). Based on the Chrissy and Morgan table, 260 students were selected using available sampling method and responded online to the questionnaires of moral intelligence of Lenik and Keel (2007), distress tolerance of Simon and Gaher (2005) and anxiety of Corona Alipour et al. (2020). The research model and relationships between variables were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation test and using SPSS version 22 and Amos software. Results: The results showed that the components of moral intelligence had a positive and direct effect on distress tolerance, and distress tolerance in turn had a direct and negative effect on corona anxiety, and the components of moral intelligence had a negative effect on corona anxiety indirectly and through the mediation of distress tolerance (P<0.01) . In general, the research model was suitable. Conclusion: According to the results of the research, focusing on the type of components of moral intelligence and distress tolerance can have an important effect on students' covid-19 anxiety. It is suggested that therapeutic interventions based on moral intelligence and distress tolerance should be considered in the treatment of Covid-19 anxiety.