Hypothesis 2 suggested that having an infected or dead family member, relative, or

friend moderates the effect of COVID-19 fear, which can cause (i) depression, (ii)
anxiety, and (iii) stress.

Hypothesis 3 suggested that having an underlying illness moderates the effect of

COVID-19 fear, which can cause (i) depression, (ii) anxiety, and (iii) stress.

In order to test hypothesis 2 and 3, the effects of the interaction terms on the
dependent variables (depression, anxiety, and stress) are shown in Model 3, see
Table 3, Table 4, and Table 5.

Moderation variables (underlying illness, infected relatives or friends) were both

added to the existing variables in each Model 3. Model 3 in Table 3 (F = 100.96, R
2 = 0.22, ∆R 2 = 0.01, p < 0.001), Table 4, (F = 174.94, R2 = 33, ∆R 2 = 0.02, p <
0.001) were found to be statistically significant.

The interaction effect of the COVID-19 fear variable and the variable of infected
or dead relatives or friends on depression, anxiety, and stress (B = 0.05, p < 0.01;
B = 0.05, p < 0.001; B = 0.06, p < 0.001, respectively) was statistically significant.

The interaction effect of the COVID-19 fear variable and underlying illness
variables on depression, anxiety, and stress (B = 0.09, p < 0.001; B = 0.10, p <
0.001; B = 0.06, p < 0.05, respectively) was statistically significant.

Therefore, hypothesis 2 and hypothesis 3 were accepted.

Table 3. Main and interaction effects on depression. Variable Model 1 Model 2

Model 3 B SE p B SE p B SE p Constant 1.20 0.10

Table 3. Main and interaction effects on depression.

 Model 1 Model 2
Variable
B SE p B SE

Constant 1.20 0.10 <0.001 −0.57 0.10

Gender 0.05 0.03 0.07 −0.05 0.03

Age −0.01 0.00 <0.001 −0.01 0.00

Marital Status, 1 = single 2 = married −0.20 0.04 <0.001 −0.18 0.03

Education −0.03 0.02 0.06 −0.01 0.01

COVID-19 Fear 0.25 0.01

Underlying Illness (0 = No 1 = Yes) 0.19 0.03

Infected Relatives or
0.03 0.02
Friends (0 = No 1 = Yes)

COVID-19 Fear × Infected Rel. or Fr.

COVID-19 Fear × Underlying Illness

F 98.14 124.34

p <0.001 <0.001

R2 0.11 0.21

R2 Change

Table 4. Main and interaction effects on anxiety.

Model 1 Mod
Variables
B SE p B SE

Constant 0.55 0.07 <0.001 −0.14 0.07

Gender 0.10 0.02 <0.001 0.01 0.02

Age 0.00 0.00 <0.001 0.00 0.00

Marital Status, 1 = single 2 = married −0.07 0.03 0.01 −0.05 0.02

Education −0.04 0.01 <0.001 −0.02 0.01

COVID-19 Fear 0.27 0.01

Underlying Illness (0 = No 1 = Yes) 0.16 0.02

Have Infected Relatives or Friends (0 = No 1 = Yes) 0.06 0.01

COVID-19 Fear × Infected Rel. or Fr.

COVID-19 Fear × Underlying Illness

F 50.87 207.5
 Model 1 Mod
Variables
B SE p B SE

p <0.001 <0.00

R2 0.06 0.31

R2 Change 0.25

Table 5. Main and Interaction Effects on Stress.

Model 1 Mod
Variable
B SE p B SE

Constant 1.19 0.11 <0.001 0.54 0.10

Gender 0.16 0.03 <0.001 0.07 0.03

Age −0.01 0.00 <0.001 −0.01 0.00

Marital Status, 1 = single 2 = married −0.15 0.04 <0.001 −0.13 0.03

Education −0.04 0.02 0.00 −0.03 0.01

COVID-19 Fear 0.24 0.01

Underlying Illness (0 = No 1 = Yes) 0.23 0.02

Have Infected Relatives or Friends (0 = No 1 = Yes) 0.05 0.02

COVID-19 Fear × Infected Rel. or Fr.

COVID-19 Fear × Underlying Illness

F 107.71 137.4

p <0.001 <0.00

R2 0.12 0.23

R2 Change 0.11