The Mediating Role of Fear of Contagion in Explaining the Relationship Between Disgust Propensity and Fear of Contamination

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between disgust propensity, fear of contamination, and fear of contagion and also to determine the mediating role of fear of contagion in this regard.Methods This is a correlation study.Study population were students of Shahed University of Tehran.The sample consisted of 391 students who were selected by convenience sampling method and completed looming contamination scale, disgust propensity and sensitivity scale and Padua scale .Data analyzed by SPSS 22 software.The correlation, hierarchical regression based on Baron and Kenny's method (1987), and Sobel's Test were used for analysis.Results results showed that disgust propensity, fear of contagion (β=0.35,P<0.001), and fear of contamination (β=0.41,P<0.001) are correlated.The relationship between fear of contagion and fear of contamination was also significant (β=0.41,P<0.001).Regression analysis demonstrated that fear of contagion mediates the relationship between disgust propensity and fear of contamination (β=0.26,P<0.001), which is also confirmed by Sobel's test (Z=6.36,P<0.001).Conclusion The fear of contagion is a mediator in the relationship between disgust propensity and fear of contamination.As a result, it seems that this structure is important in explaining the fear of contamination.Therefore if fear of contagion is considered in the evaluation and treatment of fear of contamination, The treartment effectiveness will be increased.