Lauri Korajlija Anita, Jokic-Begic Natasa
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
Br J Health Psychol. 2020 May 16;25(4):849-55. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12425.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty that has heightened fear and worry worldwide, thus elevating the potential for a growth in anxiety. This study aims to examine changes in levels of COVID-19 concern and safety behaviours among persons living in Croatia during the period in which the first COVID-19 case was identified and when the country recorded its first fatality. These changes were examined with respect to gender and family circumstances.
The repeated cross-sectional data were conducted over two time points over the 3 weeks (N = 888; N = 966).
Participants completed online questionnaire regarding various COVID-19 concerns and safety behaviours aimed at disease prevention.
Findings demonstrate dramatic increase in concern and safety behaviours among participants during the 3 weeks between the first identified case and the first fatality. The results suggest that parents, and mothers especially, represent the most concerned group, regardless of age. People with chronic health conditions also expressed greater concern and safety behaviour than healthy participants, but with small effect size.
These findings highlight the importance of developing clear guidelines for alleviating the negative effects on mental health through effective communication strategies that minimize fear and emphasize positive behavioural change. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? In times of pandemic, people react with elevated levels of anxiety and some will adjust their behaviours in order to protect themselves as well as their family and friends. Some of the measures introduced to protect the spread of the COVID-19 disease have induced an atmosphere of fear, which in turn can lead to an increase in maladaptive anxiety and a greater burden on mental health. What does this study add? By conducting the research in two waves representing two critical time points in the developing COVID-19 situation in Croatia, we were able to trace a large increase in anxiety levels and safety behaviours among the general population. There is a discordance between those who are at most risk from serious consequences of the disease and those who are at greatest risk for maladaptive anxiety. Parents, and mothers in particular, represent the most concerned group, regardless of age. Lockdown measures have allowed us to ensure the safety of those vulnerable for serious COVID-19 illness. Now, we must focus on preserving the mental health of our whole community.
新冠疫情引发了不确定性，加剧了全球范围内的恐惧和担忧，从而增加了焦虑情绪上升的可能性。本研究旨在调查克罗地亚在确诊首例新冠病例至该国出现首例死亡病例期间，民众对新冠疫情的担忧程度及安全行为的变化。并针对性别和家庭情况对这些变化进行了研究。
在3周内的两个时间点收集重复横断面数据（N = 888；N = 966）。
参与者完成了一份关于各种新冠疫情担忧及旨在预防疾病的安全行为的在线问卷。
研究结果表明，在首例确诊病例至首例死亡病例的3周内，参与者的担忧及安全行为显著增加。结果显示，无论年龄大小，父母，尤其是母亲，是最担忧的群体。患有慢性健康问题的人也比健康参与者表现出更大的担忧及安全行为，但效应量较小。
这些发现凸显了制定明确指导方针的重要性，即通过有效的沟通策略减轻对心理健康的负面影响，尽量减少恐惧并强调积极的行为改变。贡献声明关于该主题已知的信息有哪些？在疫情期间，人们的焦虑水平会升高，一些人会调整自己的行为以保护自己以及家人和朋友。为防止新冠病毒传播而采取的一些措施营造了一种恐惧氛围，这反过来可能导致适应不良焦虑增加和心理健康负担加重。本研究增加了什么内容？通过在代表克罗地亚新冠疫情发展两个关键时间点的两个阶段进行研究，我们能够追踪到普通人群焦虑水平和安全行为的大幅增加。疾病严重后果风险最高的人群与适应不良焦虑风险最高的人群之间存在不一致。父母，尤其是母亲，无论年龄大小，都是最担忧的群体。封锁措施使我们能够确保那些易患严重新冠疾病的人的安全。现在，我们必须专注于维护整个社区的心理健康。
