Assessment of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in the prison population: Psychometric properties of the AMICO_Inmates scale

Background: Large scale natural disasters in the past have caused widespread disruptions and have been associated with affecting the mental health. Depression, anxiety and other behavioral and psychological disturbances are frequently associated. Anxiety among health care workers in this novel situation could be triggered by various factors including lack of clarity on treatment guidelines and policies in the context of an evolving picture and increasing patient load. Aims: To study the levels of Anxiety and fear of COVID 19 in health care workers Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional online survey design, 225 health care workers in a medical college hospital designated to admit and treat COVID cases were included and assessed using questionnaires to measure levels of anxiety and fear to COVID 19 Results: Majority of the health care workers were worried about the current COVID 19 situation and those involved in active COVID duties reported moderate levels of anxiety, health related anxiety and fear of COVID 19. Education, income and urban background significantly affected the anxiety in health care workers. Conclusion: The COVID 19 pandemic is not just a medical phenomenon but it also playing with minds of health care providers. The balance of professional duties and demands with taking care of themselves needs special emphasis. Considering the impact of COVID 19 on psychological well-being and mental health of health care providers adequate measures at government, institutional and individual levels are required.

BackgroundIn addition to many deaths due to the Coronavirus pandemic, many psychological issues and problems are affecting people's health. Including the constant anxiety and fear of infecting themselves and their families, COVID-19 has led to excessive spending of time in cyberspace and the Internet.MethodsIn this study, the role of fear and anxiety of COVID-19 in predicting Internet addiction among 1,008 students was investigated. The mediating role of the two components of self-compassion and cognitive emotion regulation has also been measured. Data collection was done online due to the outbreak of the disease and a modeling method was used to analyze the data.ResultsThe results shows that anxiety and fear of COVID-19 has a positive and significant relationship with both Internet addiction (r = 0.32) and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (r = 0.17), and it has a negative relationship with self-compassion (r = −0.25).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that self-compassion can play a protective role against internet addiction at the time of COVID-19 pandemic while maladaptive strategies for emotion regulation can be risk factors for anxiety and fear of the virus.

BackgroundBesides physical complications, COVID-19 is associated with psychological issues such as fear and anxiety. High resilience in nurses enables them to adopt positive coping mechanisms and successfully operate in the stressful environment of COVID-19 wards. The present study aimed to evaluate the correlation between COVID-19 fear and anxiety with resilience in the emergency nurses of the hospital affiliated with Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences (west of Iran) in 2021.Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 295 emergency nurses of selected hospitals in Kurdistan province, Iran, in 2021. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Data analysis was performed in R software version 3.6.3.ResultsThe mean scores of resilience, COVID-19 fear, and COVID-19 anxiety were 55.07 ± 19.82 (ranging from 0 to 100), 20 ± 7.37 (ranging from 7 to 35) and 36.48 ± 13.21 (ranging from 18 to 54) respectively. There was a negative and significant correlation between resilience with COVID-19 fear (r = −0.449, p = 0.001), COVID-19 anxiety (r = 0.458, p = 0.001). A significant correlation was observed between COVID-19 fear and anxiety, which indicated that if the other demographic variables remained unchanged, a one-unit increase in COVID-19 fear and anxiety decreased the mean resilience score by −0.66 (P = 0.008) and −0.34 (P = 0.015), respectively.ConclusionCOVID-19 fear and anxiety were significantly correlated. Therefore, providing training courses for promoting resilience could reduce the fear and anxiety of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background & Aims Corona virus became an epidemic in the world in 2019. During the epidemic, fear and anxiety were the main reports of nurses, and nurses in departments such as special care and emergency are more susceptible to these disorders, which, if left untreated, have a negative impact on the quality and safety level of the care system. Materials & Methods The current research was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 205 nurses working in the Corona special care and emergency departments of Iran University of Medical Sciences. Sampling was done by enumeration method. The tools included demographic questionnaires, anxiety of COVID-19 and fear of COVID-19. Results There was a negative and significant correlation between the anxiety of nurses due to COVID-19 and the duration of work in the corona ward (P<0.001). The fear of COVID-19 was significantly higher in married nurses (P=0.02) and nurses with a history of COVID-19 (P=0.006) than other nurses. There was a statistically significant relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and the frequency of contracting this disease (P=0.021). The fear of COVID-19 was significantly higher in nurses who were infected with this disease than those who were not infected at all (P=0.034). Conclusion The results showed the average level of anxiety and fear in nurses. Considering the many problems that such disorders cause for nurses, the need for effective planning to reduce and improve its physical and psychological effects on nurses is recommended in order to provide optimal and high-quality care.

The aims of this study were to investigate parents' COVID-19 fear and anxiety levels and determine the relationship between parents' COVID-19 fear and anxiety levels and their attitudes and behaviors toward having themselves and their children vaccinated. This descriptive and cross-sectional type of research was conducted with 950 parents with 12-18 years old children. Having a chronic disease, being vaccinated, intention to vaccinate their children, and the children's age and school year were found to increase parents' COVID-19 fear and anxiety (p < 0.005). A statistically significant correlation was found between the parents' perceived levels of COVID-19 fear and anxiety and their intentions to vaccinate their children (p < 0.005). According to the study's findings, the age of the child, the parents' vaccination, and the parents' intentions to vaccinate their children were predictors of COVID-19 fear and anxiety.

Background and AimsCOVID‐19 has adversely impacted the public's mental health. One of the causes of psychopathology during the present pandemic is death anxiety and fear of COVID‐19. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of death anxiety and fear of COVID‐19 in Shiraz city, south of Iran.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was conducted among 982 participants in Shiraz from October to November 2021. Data were collected using Templer's Death Anxiety Scale and the Fear of COVID‐19 Scale. Trained interviewers collected data throughout different city districts. A data‐driven approach (latent class analysis) was applied to categorize the participants and determine the risk factors.ResultsAmong the participants, 507 (51.6%) were female, and 475 (48.4%) were male. The participants’ mean age was 38.26 ± 15.16 years. Based on the analysis, 259 (26.4%), 512 (52.1%), and 211 (21.5%) participants had low, moderate, and severe levels of death anxiety. Also, 393 (40.06%) and 588 (59.94%) of the participants had low and high levels of fear, respectively. Higher death anxiety was significantly associated with being female, having an associate degree, being retired, share of medical expenditure from total expenditure of more than 10%, having a history of hospital admission due to COVID‐19, history of COVID‐19 in relatives, and having fear of COVID‐19. Also, being female, expenses equal to income, history of hospital admission due to COVID‐19, death in relatives, and higher death anxiety were linked to higher levels of fear of COVID‐19.ConclusionsDeath anxiety and fear of COVID‐19 are closely associated with each other and affected by various sociodemographic and economic factors. Given this pandemic's unpredictable nature and chronicity, interventions at the community level to support high‐risk groups are crucial.

Introduction: COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The nature of dentistry leads to close contact with patients and exposure to saliva, blood, and other bodily fluids during treatment processes and it is a field where high-frequency devices that can make it easier for virus contamination are used. This study aims to determine the knowledge and approaches of COVID-19 infection control of intern dentists who have begun face-to-face education and their COVID-19-related fear and anxiety levels. Methods: The study comprised 4th and 5th-year students who began face-to-face education at the Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry 2020/2021 spring semester. A questionnaire was used as the data collection tool for this study. The data were collected using a knowledge questionnaire and a COVID-19 fear and anxiety scale. Results: The average COVID-19 knowledge score of the students was 63.65±9.64, their coronavirus fear average score was 17.63±5.57, and their anxiety average score was found to be 2.37±3.32. A positive relationship was found between the anxiety scores and the COVID-19 fear scores. The results of this study show that the COVID-19 knowledge level and fear of dentistry students are moderate and that their COVID-19 anxiety level is low. Conclusion: It was found that the knowledge and fear of coronavirus levels of intern dentistry students were moderate and that their coronavirus anxiety level was low.

CONTEXT: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the psychological status of frontline medical professionals who constantly work under stressful situations. The role of social support and resilience in safeguarding the mental health of resident doctors, is an area, which has not received due attention.AIMS: To assess the psychological status (depression, anxiety, and fear of COVID-19) and its association with resilience and perceived social support in resident doctors during COVID-19 pandemic.SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among the resident doctors in a tertiary hospital in Kochi, Kerala.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A web-based survey created using Google forms was sent via social media groups to the resident doctors of a teaching hospital in Kochi between August to September 2020. Two hundred completed responses were obtained. Study tools included a sociodemographic proforma, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7, Fear of COVID-19 scale, Brief Resilience Scale, and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Psychological status (depression, anxiety, fear of COVID-19) was expressed using descriptive statistics; its association with sociodemographic variables using Chi-square test and its correlation with resilience and social support using Pearson correlation.RESULTS: Depression and anxiety were reported in 69% and 59.5% of the respondents, respectively. The mean fear of COVID-19 score was 24.06 (3.220). Resilience and overall social support index showed a significant negative correlation with depression and anxiety scores (P = 0.000). Emotional social support and affectionate social support showed a significant negative correlation with fear of COVID-19 (P = 0.040; P = 0.045, respectively).Conclusion: A large proportion of resident doctors were noted to have depression, anxiety, and fear of COVID-19. Individuals with higher levels of resilience and perceived social support had lesser levels of depression, anxiety, and fear of COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were reports of heightened levels of anxiety and fear of contagion in the general population. Such psychological responses may be influenced by the socio-environmental context in which individuals reside. This study aimed to examine the relationship between socioeconomic and educational factors and the level of anxiety and fear related to COVID-19. A multicenter, cross-sectional design was used, including patients aged 18 years or older who attended primary care physician consultations at various primary health centers in Toledo, Spain, between October 2020 and January 2021. By means of a non-probabilistic sampling, a total of 150 participants were selected for the study, with 146 of them providing responses to the AMICO questionnaire The level of fear and anxiety associated with COVID-19 was assessed using the validated Anxiety and Fear of COVID-19 Assessment Scale (AMICO). A significant linear relationship was revealed between social class, employment status, and anxiety levels. Specifically, as social class decreased (p = 0.001) and employment situation worsened (unemployment) (p = 0.037), the proportion of participants reporting a high level of anxiety increased. During the second phase of the pandemic, more than half of the patients attending family medicine consultations exhibited a high level of fear and anxiety towards COVID-19, which was significantly associated with lower social class and unemployment.

Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate fears, worries, and anxiety among cancer patients and healthy subjects. Material and Methods The current study included two study groups (SGs) with 195 respondents, 93 colorectal patients (CCSG-1) and 102 control subjects (CSSG-2). The purpose of this study was to estimate the levels of post-traumatic symptoms, depression, anxiety, and fear of COVID-19 during the pandemic. Results In our analysis, we found a slightly higher level of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in the cancer group than in the control group. Furthermore, we showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the impact of fear of COVID-19 infection. Then, we evaluated the relationship among the anxiety, depression and posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) (scales) with the total score fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S) in both groups through a multiple linear regression analysis. We reported that each explicative variable had a moderate influence on the fear of COVID-19 in the cancer group, while in the control group, anxiety and PTSD had a significant influence on the fear of COVID-19 in comparison with depression. Conclusion Our results indicate a significant psychological vulnerability in both groups during the strict lockdown. Specifically, we highlight that the control group suffers a negative impact on their mental state. With regard to cancer group, we noted that anxiety, depression, and distress and fear of COVID-19 levels did not increase in significant manner during the pandemic. A possible explanation can be that they are more worried about the delay of their treatment due the COVID-19 emergency. However. more efforts are necessary to better understanding of the mental well-being of the cancer patients and healthy subjects to improve psychological interventions and treatments. during this public health emergency.

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to assess the levels of fear and anxiety in the particularly vulnerable population group of women during pregnancy.MethodsCross-sectional study between March 2022 and July 2022 involving 978 pregnant women aged 16 to 50 years. It was carried out based on the scale for the assessment of fear and anxiety in pregnant women (AMICO_Pregnant) and the collection of sociodemographic data. Normality analysis was performed prior to univariate and bivariate statistical analysis.ResultsThe sample was composed of a total of 978 pregnant women. The mean of the AMICO_Pregnant scale was intermediate (5.04 points; SD=2.36). The bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between the AMICO_Pregnant scale and the following variables: vaccination schedule status, contact with the disease, weeks of gestation, altered delivery or birth plan.ConclusionWomen with pregnancies closer to term, with no contact with the disease, without a complete vaccination schedule, or who had undergone changes in their delivery or birth plans, showed higher levels of fear and anxiety.

Objective: To determine the severity of fear and anxiety of COVID-19 in diabetic patients and to evaluate their relationship with HbA1c. Materials and methods: Between December 2020 and March 2021, a total of 249 patients were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values of the patients were recorded. Fear and anxiety related to COVID-19 were evaluated with the validated Turkish version of the Fear of COVID Scale (FCS) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS). FCS and CAS were compared between the diabetic group and the control group. The relationship between FCS and CAS and HbA1c, diabetes year, age, gender, educational status, place of residence, and employment status was investigated. Results: Median level of HbA1c and duration of diabetes mellitus were 7.65% (range 5.4-13.6) and 10 years (range 1-32) respectively. FCS was higher in the diabetic group compared to the control group (p=0.025). There was no significant difference between the diabetic and control groups regarding CAS. There was no relationship between HbA1c and FCS and CAS (p=0.919, r=0.008, p=0.725, r=0.027, respectively). Anxiety was higher in females than males in diabetic groups (p=0.009). Conclusions: The fear of COVID-19 is higher in diabetic patients compared to the general population. There was no relationship between fear and anxiety of COVID-19 and HbA1c. However, to protect long-term mental health, there should be strategies to detect and reduce the anxiety and fear caused by the pandemic in the services for diabetic patients.

Aim: Novel Coronavirus disease (COVİD-19) pandemic had caused various problems in follow up and treatment of many chronic diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). This study aimed to determine the level of fear and anxiety of COVID-19 and evaluate the quality of life of patients with IBD during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study, and a total of 150 participants (IBD patient group=75, control group=75) were included. In order to evaluate the level of COVID-19 fear and anxiety, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) were used. In addition, Short Form-36 (SF-36) test was used to evaluate health-related quality of life. Results: FCV-19S and CAS scores were significantly higher in IBD patients compared to the control group. (p&amp;lt;0.05). In IBD patients some subscores of SF-36 were significantly lower than the control group (p&amp;lt;0.05). Univariate regression analyses showed that university degree of education, having Crohn’s disease, and using anti-TNF drugs were significantly correlated with the high level COVID-19 fear (p&amp;lt;0.05). FCV-19S results were found to be negatively correlated with emotional role limitation, energy, and mental health subscores of SF-36 in patients with IBD (p&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that IBD patients had higher levels of fear and anxiety regarding COVID-19. Increased levels of fear and anxiety decreased quality of life specifically mentally. One should keep in mind that the probability of nonadherence to drugs in patients with IBD during the pandemic and psychiatric support should be provided if necessary.

Introduction and aim. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted human life. It is observed that a significant group affected by this situation are university students. Evaluating the psychological states of students during the transition to normal life from the pandemic period is important. This study was conducted to examine the perceived levels of COVID-19 anxiety, fear, and depression among university students during the descreased restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1170 university students. The data were collected using “the Introductory Information Form, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale – Short Form, and the Depression Scale. Results. It was observed that there was a difference between gender, class, education level, income level, having had COVID-19, and having a deceased relative due to COVID-19 and perceived COVID-19 anxiety and fear and depression levels among university students (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, although restrictions have been lifted, students still experience moderate levels of COVID-19 anxiety, fear, and depression. Therefore, considering the factors that affect university students’ mental state, there is a need for services that support students’ mental well-being.

Repetitive negative thinking is a cognitive dimension of the onset and maintenance of psychopathology, and increased levels of psychopathology have been observed during COVID-19 lockdowns. The role of fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 anxiety has been poorly explored in terms of psychopathology during lockdowns due to the pandemic crisis. This study examines the mediating role of fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 anxiety in the relationship between repetitive negative thinking and psychopathology during the second lockdown in Portugal. Participants completed a web survey that included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, the Persistent and Intrusive Negative Thoughts Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale − 21. The results showed a positive and significant correlation between all variables and identified fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 anxiety as significant mediators in the relationship between repetitive negative thinking and psychopathology during the second lockdown in Portugal, after controlling for being isolated, being infected, and working in first line response of COVID-19. Overall, the current findings highlight the role of cognitive dimensions such as anxiety and fear in the context of COVID-19, nearly a year after the pandemic outbreak and after the release of a vaccine. Mental health programs should consider improving coping strategies for emotion regulation, particularly fear and anxiety, during major catastrophic health-related events.