Table 4. Comparison of direct and mediation effects for the predictors of perceived stress.

Predictor	Direct effect on perceived stress during COVID-19	Mediation effect by self-efficacy on perceived stress during COVID-19	Comparative interpretation of direct and mediation effect
Information seeking	positive (H1✓)	not found (H7a✗)	Increases stress directly
Perceived disruption	positive (H2✓)	positive (H7b✓)	Joint effects–Increases stress directly and increases stress by decreasing self-efficacy
Perceived invulnerability	positive (H3✗)	negative (H7c✓)	Opposite effects–Increases stress directly but decreases stress by increasing self-efficacy
Health importance	negative (H4✓)	negative (H7d✓)	Joint effects–Decreases stress directly and decreases stress by increasing self-efficacy
Response effectiveness	negative (H5✓)	negative (H7e✓)	Joint effects–Decreases stress directly and decreases stress by increasing self-efficacy
Self-efficacy	negative (H6✓)	-	Decreases stress directly, serves as a mediator for 4 out 5 predictors

Notes. ✗: Hypothesis rejected, ✓: Hypothesis confirmed.