The COVID-19 outbreak and the worldwide lockdown measures had an impact on the global mental health and psychological well-being of the general population. Several studies attempted to investigate the protective and risk factors for psychological distress related to the pandemic. However, to date, little is known about the role of hope in this context. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between hope and psychological distress related to the COVID-19 outbreak in the general population. The sample consisted of 504 Pakistani people who completed cross-sectionally the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) and the Adult Hope Scale (AHS). Bivariate Pearson correlation analysis was run to measure the relationship between hope and psychological distress; hierarchical regression analysis was run to investigate the association between demographics and hope with psychological distress. Higher levels of hope predicted lower levels of psychological distress. Being female, being older, lower level of education, urban residence, being married and living in nuclear family systems were associated with higher levels of psychological distress. The study highlights the protective role of hope on psychological distress related to COVID-19, contributing to knowledge on factors promoting positive mental health during emergency times and providing useful information for implementing effective public health policies and programmes.

The purpose of this research was to measure the mediating role of academic procrastination between emotional intelligence and academic performance in Pakistani youth. In total, 347 youth were selected using multi-stage random sampling from three major cities of Punjab province in Pakistan (Rawalpindi, Lahore, & Faisalabad). The average age remained [M (22.70+3.43)]. Two instruments were used; The Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test and Yockey Academic Procrastination Scale Short Form, while academic performance was calculated considering semester grade point average (SGPA). The results showed that emotional intelligence was significant positively correlated with academic performance. In mediation, Process Macro Hayes (2018) approach was used. The results showed that academic procrastination endured significant negative mediator in relationship of emotional intelligence and academic performance. The female youth were significantly higher in academic performance and emotional intelligence as compared to male youth, while male youth were significantly higher in academic procrastination. Emotional intelligence increases the academic performance and reduces academic procrastination among university students, while academic procrastination endured negative mediator between emotional intelligence and academic procrastination. Males have more prone towards academic procrastination and reported lower emotional intelligence and academic performance as compared to females. The limitations and future avenues were also discussed.