Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide preliminary data regarding the improvement of psychological health, the prevention of Corona blue, and the practical intervention plans for childcare teachers. This study analyzes the mediation effect of fear of COVID-19 and the moderated mediation effect of grit including its moderating effect in the relationship between job stress and Corona blue in childcare teachers due to COVID-19.
Methods: This survey targeted 224 childcare teachers in service in Honam region (Gwangju, Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do) and Yeongnam region (Busan, Daegu, Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do). The moderated mediation effect was verified through IBM SPSS Statistics 25 and Process macro 3.5 (Model 15).
Results: First, the job stress of childcare teachers due to COVID-19 had a significant positive effect on Corona blue. Second, it was found that the job stress for childcare teachers due to COVID-19 affected Corona blue.
The fear of COVID-19 functioned as a medium in this process. Third, the moderating effect of grit was not significant in the direct path of job stress, due to COVID-19, to Corona blue. Fourth, the moderating effect of grit was significant in the indirect path of job stress, due to COVID-19, to Corona blue with the fear of COVID-19 functioning as a medium, confirming the moderated mediation effect of grit.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that providing information that can reduce the fear of COVID-19, an education regarding the epidemic control method, and a strategy to improve the grit of childcare teachers are needed in order to prevent the depression among childcare teachers caused by job stress due to COVID-19.