*3.4. Direct Effects*

Separate regression models were estimated for the entire path. First, as reported in Figure 2, mental health, the first mediator, was regressed on perceived control over time (path a1). Results show a significant negative association between perceived control over time and mental health, evidencing people with low perceived control over time having adverse mental health statuses. Secondly, the other mediator, vitality, was regressed on perceived control over time (path a2), and we found a significant positive path between perceived control over time and vitality. Thus, people with high perceived control over time also have an increased sense of vitality.

**Figure 2.** The mediating effect of mental health dimensions in the relationship between perceived control over time and fear of COVID-19. Note: \* *p* < 0.001. All the presented effects are unstandardized.

Similarly, in the model, fear of COVID-19 was regressed on mental health (path b1). It was found that there was a significant positive effect, whereas, when fear of COVID-19 was regressed on vitality, we found a significant negative path (b2). The direct effect was explored by regressing the fear of COVID-19 on perceived control over time, which was not significant. This result allows us to verify for a total mediation.

### *3.5. Indirect Effects*

The regression model predicts fear of COVID-19 from mental health, vitality, and perceived control over time. Through all the mediators, we can see a strong negative effect both for mental health (a1b1 = −0.06; CI: LL = −0.11; UL = −0.01) and for vitality (a2b2 = −0.06; CI: LL = −0.09; UL = 0.03). This result shows that only adverse mental health is significantly associated with perceived control over time and fear of COVID-19, considering that bootstrap CI is above zero while controlling for demographic variables.
