Data for "Emotion Regulation Strategies Mediate the Relationship between Personality and Mental Health during COVID-19"

Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent classes of mental illnesses; rates of anxiety and depression have been exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vulnerability to anxiety and depression are affected by risk and resilience factors, such as personality constructs. Recent research (e.g., Lyon et al, 2020; 2021) suggests that, out of all 30 NEO-PI-R personality constructs, variance in anxiety and depression are explained by a small number of personality constructs. However it is unclear which mechanisms mediate the relationship between these personality constructs and anxiety and depression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of emotion regulation strategies on the relationship between personality constructs and COVID-related anxiety and depression. Data were collected from a sample of 210 students at the University of Manchester. Measures included a select number of narrow Big Five personality facets which explain variance in anxiety and depression (facets depression, assertiveness, gregariousness, positive emotion and competence), select COPE Inventory strategies associated with coping with pandemics, and COVID-related anxiety and depression. Measures of COPE strategies and mental health were adapted to refer to coping and mental health in response to COVID pandemic.