Safety-seeking Behaviours Research Articles

Intolerance of Uncertainty and Neuroticism: Transdiagnostic Vulnerabilities and War-Related Safety Preparatory Behavior

The aim of the study was to understand the role of transdiagnostic vulnerabilities, namely intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and neuroticism, in initiating safety-seeking preparatory behaviors under the threat of an imminent war. A sample of N = 1460 adults were recruited via convenience sampling in March 2022, after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war from nearing countries. Due to the lack of suitable measures in the literature to cover the phenomenon, first a short inventory for measuring these safety actions, the War-Related Preparatory Safety-Seeking Inventory (W-PRESS) was elaborated and validated via Item Response Theory. Next, a transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral framework was proposed for the determinants of W-PRESS: IU (IUS-12), fear of war (FoW), neuroticism (Big-Five), and anxiety (DASS). The SEM results confirmed the proposed model. A strong positive relationship was found of both IU and neuroticism with anxiety, FoW, and W-PRESS. Higher neuroticism was associated with higher W-PRESS, fully mediated by IU. IU also partially mediated the relationship of neuroticism with anxiety and FoW, respectively. In contextual uncertainty evoked by the outbreak of the nearby war, dispositional vulnerabilities, like IU and neuroticism may enhance the individual level of crisis management in the sense of preparing for and dealing with emerging risks.

The Measurement of Reactions to Face Masks and the Relation to Social Anxiety.

Introduction: Following a period of social isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic, social interactions may be particularly complicated for individuals with elevated levels of social anxiety. One potential implication relates to the use of face masks. Face masks have been used as an effective tool to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. However, for individuals with elevated social anxiety, face masks may be a form of avoidance and type of safety behavior and discontinued use of face masks may be associated with increases in social anxiety. In response to these possibilities, the purpose of this study was to develop a measure to assess potential anxiety-related reactions to face masks. Method: Participants were 564 nonreferred young adults who completed a measure developed for this study to assess behaviors and reactions to face masks (Reaction to Face Masks Questionnaire), including anxiety and avoidance behaviors. Measures of social anxiety, more general avoidance, and safety behaviors were also included. Results: Based on an exploratory factor analysis, a two-factor model was retained. Safety-Seeking and Avoidance (SSA) measures reductions in social anxiety derived from a feeling of safety when wearing a face mask, and Social Interference measures increases in social anxiety symptoms related to the interference/inhibition of social interactions related to wearing masks. Both subscales were found to be associated with general measures of social anxiety, more general avoidance, and safety behaviors; however, the correlations were more robust for the SSA subscale. Discussion: Based on the current findings, general social anxiety and common correlates of social anxiety, including safety-seeking behaviors, were found to be associated with face mask anxiety and avoidance. Implications for future research and potential clinical practice are discussed.

Safety-Seeking Behaviors and Anxiety Maintenance in People With Aphasia: A Viewpoint.

People with aphasia (PWA) often experience higher levels of anxiety and social isolation than people without aphasia. Although the presence of anxiety is appreciated in PWA, literature examining the etiology and persistent nature of anxiety in PWA is underdeveloped. Safety-seeking behaviors, or maladaptive acts used by individuals to decrease anxiety from a feared outcome, have been reported as key facilitators of long-term anxiety toward feared situations across a variety of clinical populations. The purpose of this viewpoint is to explore the concept of safety-seeking behaviors and discuss their potential relevance to the maintenance of anxiety in PWA. We further discuss the distinction between maladaptive (i.e., safety seeking) and adaptive (i.e., coping) behaviors and how this knowledge may improve the quality of clinical services for PWA. The present review advocates for further exploration of the safety-seeking behaviors that are used by PWA. Until critical attention is given to this subject, clinicians may remain ill-equipped to identify and depict whether a self-management strategy is facilitative or inhibitive to PWA's communicative participation goals. Critically, a behavior that may be "maladaptive" for one individual may be "adaptive" for another. Future research should seek to identify common behavioral and cognitive strategies that PWA implement to reduce acute perceptions of anxiety. This knowledge may help facilitate holistic aphasia rehabilitation by allowing clinicians to foster conversations around behaviors that inhibit or promote successful communicative participation.

“Safe within reach of my phone”: explaining the relationship between social anxiety and problematic internet use through social connections and avoidant safety-seeking behaviors

“Safe within reach of my phone”: explaining the relationship between social anxiety and problematic internet use through social connections and avoidant safety-seeking behaviors

Identifying mechanisms of persecutory ideation maintenance with smartphone technology: Examining threat importance, certainty, rumination, and behavior change

Previous cross-sectional and laboratory research has identified risk factors for persecutory ideation including rumination, negative affect, and safety-seeking behaviors. Questions remain about what in-the-moment factors link general negative affect to PI as well as which maintain PI over time. In the present study, N = 219 individuals completed momentary assessments of PI as well as four factors (attributing threats as certain and important, ruminating, and changing one's behavior in response) proposed to maintain PI over time. Linear mixed effects models were used to analyze multiple time-varying relationships, including these factors predicting negative affect and vice versa, as well as factors predicting maintenance of PI over time. Linear mixed effects models were used to analyze multiple time-varying relationships, examining each PI-related factor predicting negative affect, negative affect predicting each PI-related factor, as well as each factor predicting maintenance of PI over time. All four factors were associated with increases in subsequent day self-reported severity of PI, suggesting all four increased the likelihood of maintaining or worsening next-day PI. Results of this study confirm that the proposed factors are key in maintaining a cycle by which PI and negative affect are maintained over time. These factors may represent targets for momentary interventions.

Psychotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Psychotherapy has many forms, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness therapy (MFT), and hypnotherapy, to name a few. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the gold standard in therapy-based treatment and is used for cognitive restructuring to reduce safety-seeking and avoidant behaviors. While the main application of psychotherapy is psychological disorders, recent studies have found that it is beneficial for somatic and physiological symptoms such as chronic pain or even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Irritable bowel syndrome is a common but debilitating gastrointestinal condition that has a prevalence of 12% in the United States and costs the average patient $9,776 annually in 2023. Irritatable bowel syndrome is a condition of exclusion but consists of abdominal discomfort or pain and must be associated with altered bowel habits as stated in the Rome IV criteria. At least half of these patients also exhibit extracolonic symptoms, most commonly psychological disorders like anxiety and stress. The true etiology of IBS is not understood, but ideas such as the brain-gut axis, stress response system, and gut microbiota have been evaluated. Treatment of IBS is extensive and heavily relies on the patient-physician interaction, but pharmacologic therapies have been employed and are sometimes unsuccessful. Irritable bowel syndrome impacts an individual as a whole, making them hesitate whether or not they eat a particular food or even go out to do an activity because of the unpredictable bowel pattern. Finding a better solution is essential to improving the patient's quality of life (QoL), especially by addressing how they perceive the illness, how they adjust to it, and even how they determine what foods to consume. This paper aims to evaluate whether or not psychotherapy can be employed to improve all aspects of IBS, as well as if it can reduce the cost of IBS treatment.

Targeting beliefs and behaviours in misophonia: a case series from a UK specialist psychology service.

Misophonia, a disorder of decreased sound tolerance, can cause significant distress and impairment. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may be helpful for improving symptoms of misophonia, but the key mechanisms of the disorder are not yet known. This case series aimed to evaluate individual, formulation-driven CBT for patients with misophonia in a UK psychology service. A service evaluation of one-to-one therapy for patients with misophonia (n=19) was conducted in a specialist psychology service. Patients completed an average of 13 hours of therapy with a focus on the meaning applied to their reactions to sounds and associated behaviours. Primary outcome measures were the Misophonia Questionnaire (MQ) and the Amsterdam Misophonia Scale (A-MISO-S). Repeated measures t-tests were used to compare scores from pre-treatment to follow-up, and reliable and clinically significant change on the MQ was calculated. Scores significantly improved on both misophonia measures, with an average of 38% change on the MQ and 40% change on the A-MISO-S. From pre-treatment to follow-up, 78% of patients showed reliable improvement on the MQ and 61% made clinically significant change. Limitations included a lack of control group, small sample size, and the use of an outcome measure that had not been thoroughly validated for a treatment-seeking sample. These results suggest that one-to-one, formulation-driven CBT for misophonia is worth exploring further using experimental design. Potential mechanisms to explore further include feared consequences of escalating reactions, the role of safety-seeking behaviours and the impact of early memories associated with reactions to sounds.

Low self-esteem: a refined cognitive behavioural model.

Melanie Fennell's (1997) seminal cognitive approach to low self-esteem was published in Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy. The current paper proposes a refined model, drawing on social theories, and research with people with socially devalued characteristics. This model emphasises how self-esteem relates to perceptions of one's value in the eyes of others. It is proposed that core beliefs typical of low self-esteem relate to one's value in relation to personal adequacy (e.g. having worth or status) and/or to social connection (e.g. being liked, loved, accepted or included). In each of these value domains, beliefs about both the self (e.g. 'I am a failure', 'I am unlovable') and others (e.g. 'Others look down on me', 'Others don't care about me') are considered important. The model suggests that everyone monitors their value but in people with low self-esteem, cognitive biases associated with underlying beliefs occur. In the context of trigger situations, this results in a greater likelihood of negative appraisals of perceived threat to one's value. Such appraisals activate underlying negative beliefs, resulting in negative mood (e.g. low mood, anxiety, shame, disgust) and other responses that maintain low self-esteem. Responses which can be used excessively or in unhelpful ways include (a) corrective behaviours; (b) compensatory strategies; (c) increased value monitoring; (d) safety-seeking behaviours; (e) rumination; (f) unhelpful mood regulation responses. These responses can adversely impact daily functioning or health, having the counterproductive effect of maintaining negative beliefs about one's value. Examples are provided for low self-esteem in lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals.

The Effectiveness of Self-Compassion-Focused Therapy on Cognitive Vulnerability to Depression.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of self-compassion-focused therapy on cognitive vulnerability to depression as one of the causes of the onset or recurrence of depressive episodes in people who were not depressed at the time of the research but were cognitively susceptible to depression. Method : The statistical population included all students of Bu-Ali Sina University in 2020. The sample was selected through the available sampling method. First, 52 people were screened, and finally, by random assignment, 20 people were placed in the experimental group and 20 people in the control group. The experimental group underwent compassion-focused therapy for eight 90-minutes-long sessions. The instruments included the Attributional Style Questionnaire, the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, the Cognitive Triad Inventory, the Self-Esteem Scale, and the 2ⁿᵈ edition Beck Depression Inventory. Results: The results of multivariate analysis of covariance showed that self-compassion-focused therapy was effective in terms of cognitive vulnerability to depression (P < 0.01, F = 22.78), dysfunctional attitudes (P < 0.01, F = 15.53), self-esteem (P < 0.01, F = 30.07), general attribution style for negative events (P < 0.01, F = 11.41), stable attribution style for negative events (P < 0.01, F = 14.48) and internal attribution style for negative events (P < 0.01, F = 12.45). Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that self-compassion-focused therapy can reduce cognitive vulnerability to depression. It seems that this has been achieved through the regulation of emotional systems and the increase of mindfulness, which leads to the reduction of safety-seeking behaviors and the modification of cognitive patterns that take place around the axis of the compassionate mind.

What explains social anxiety in adolescents with Social Anxiety Disorder and healthy controls? The applicability of the Clark and Wells’ model

Clark and Wells’ model for social anxiety proposed several maintenance factors for social anxiety (SA), which is assumed to exist in a continuum from normative to pathological levels (i.e., Social Anxiety Disorder – SAD). Based on these premises, we used a cross-sectional design to investigate pathways linking those maintenance factors to SA, in adolescents (Mage = 16.02, SD = .97) with SAD (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 23), who filled in self-report questionnaires about those variables. Separate moderation models were tested using the same dependent variable (i.e., SA) and different independent variables (i.e., Negative Social Thoughts and Beliefs, Self-focused Attention, and Safety-seeking Behaviors); group was the moderating variable. All variables were significant predictors of SA, explaining between 80% (i.e., Self-focused Attention) and 83% (i.e., Safety-seeking Behaviors and Negative Social Thoughts and Beliefs) of its variance. Group was never a significant moderator. These results favor Clark and Wells’ model for explaining SA along its continuum. The pervasiveness of negative cognitions, safety-seeking behaviors, and self-focused attention in adolescents with SAD seems to contribute to a more disrupting experience of SA. As such, addressing these maintenance factors may be useful, as a preventive and remedial approach to SA in adolescence.

Safety-Seeking Behaviors in Driving: A Phenomenological Exploration of Taxi Drivers’ Latent Beliefs

Background: Human behavior has been worldwide reported as the main cause of road accidents. It has been mentioned that beliefs probably impress driver’s perception, and consequently, the driving behavior. Taxi drivers account for a high proportion of professional drivers. This study aimed at exploring belief-oriented safety-seeking behaviors in taxi drivers. Methods: In this phenomenological study, eleven drivers were invited from different regions of BLINDED. Using purposeful sampling, six in-depth interviews (IDIs) and one focus group discussion (FGD) were conducted. Findings: In almost all the interviews, the participants highlighted the observance of traffic regulations and concentration on driving were the causes of accidents, however, they adopted other actions to be safe while driving. In this study, three themes emerged. The first two themes (verbal and practical endeavors) were mainly related to religion. Nonetheless, beliefs that were not related to religion (mental endeavors) also emerged. Conclusion: The drivers’ belief-oriented safety precautions are rooted in primary and socio-instrumental control beliefs. In point of view of road traffic safety, investments to change these beliefs does not seem to be necessary.

Outcomes from a brief group behavior therapy approach for social anxiety disorder in adolescence: An exploratory clinical trial

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) usually develops in adolescence and is maintained by avoidance and safety seeking behaviors, which are the focus of behavioral therapy (BT). This work explored the outcomes of a brief group BT for SAD in adolescence, combining exposure with skills training. Fourteen adolescents (aged 14-18 years old) diagnosed with SAD received the intervention. BT was compared to a waiting list condition (n = 10) from pre- to post-intervention; how change in avoidance and safety behaviors predicted post-intervention social anxiety was also tested. Significant improvement was limited to anxiety and avoidance when interacting in new social situations, which may be due to skills training having been focused on general interaction. Only change in avoidance predicted post-intervention social anxiety. Though exploratory, current findings suggest BT to be a relevant approach to SAD. As such, it may inform future more robust studies on interventions tailored to specific core social fears.

Understanding the experiences of people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

There has been great concern about the psychological implications of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on wellbeing and mental health worldwide. Previous pandemics have been associated with an increased risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, the experience of a pandemic for those with preexisting diagnoses of PTSD has not previously been researched. We aimed to understand the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic for people with a diagnosis of PTSD before the pandemic. Ten people, who were under the care of a specialist outpatient clinic for adults with PTSD during the COVID-19 pandemic, took part in semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts. Themes were identified relating to changes in how a sense of threat was experienced during the pandemic, with both factors increasing and decreasing threat recognized; challenges related to trying to cope with the pandemic; and resources that helped with coping. Recommendations for clinicians working with people with PTSD during a pandemic are made. These include assessing for changes in the person's sense of threat and changes in triggers; supporting adaptation of prepandemic ways of coping and engagement with personal and professional support networks; and being alert to a possible increase or change in safety-seeking behaviors and addressing in the treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Does Size Matter? Genital Self-Image, Genital Size, Pornography Use and Openness Toward Cosmetic Genital Surgery in 3503 Swedish Men and Women

BackgroundDissatisfaction with the appearance and size of one's genitalia is a common issue, and the use of cosmetic genital surgery is increasing among people with normal genitalia. AimThis cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the distribution of genital self-image in a large sample of males and females, and whether selected factors could predict genital self-image. MethodsThree thousand five hundred three anonymous participants completed online questionnaires. Multiple linear regressions were used to identify the association between genital self-image and genital size (length of penis or protrusion of labia minora), consumption of sexually explicit material (SEM), sexual activity, avoidance and safety seeking behaviors, openness toward genital cosmetic surgery and age. OutcomesTotal scores on the Female and Male Genital Self Image Scale were used as the main outcome measures. ResultsOverall, 3.6% of females and 5.5% of males had a severely low genital self-image (defined as 2 SD below the mean) and 33.8% of all individuals reported dissatisfaction with the appearance of their genitalia, with 13.7% of females and 11.3% of males considering undergoing cosmetic genital surgery. Mean protrusion of labia minora and stretched flaccid penis length in the population was estimated to 0.76 cm (95% CI 0.63–0.89 cm) and 12.5 cm (95% CI 12.33–12.76 cm), respectively. A higher genital self-image score was predicted by having a larger penis or less protruding labia minora, but not by the degree of SEM consumption, although 93.6% of males and 57.5% of females had consumed SEM in the past three months. The degree of avoidance and safety seeking behaviors, sexual activity, and openness toward genital cosmetic surgery predicted a low genital self-image. Being older was associated with a better genital self-image in females. Clinical ImplicationsThe results show that a psychological intervention may be needed as an alternative to cosmetic genital surgery for people who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their genitals. Strengths and LimitationsThis is one of few available studies investigating the association between actual genital size and genital dissatisfaction. The vast sample size and high response rate are also strengths. Limitations include the cross-sectional design, and possible bias in the study sample due to self-selection. ConclusionOverall, a low genital self-image and dissatisfaction with one's genitalia is relatively common and is influenced not only by genital size, but also behaviors performed to alleviate worry about one's genitals.Hustad IB, Malmqvist K, Ivanova E, et al. Does Size Matter? Genital Self-Image, Genital Size, Pornography Use and Openness Toward Cosmetic Genital Surgery in 3503 Swedish Men and Women. J Sex Med 2022;19:1378–1386.

The physical activity profiles of patients with persecutory delusions

BackgroundSevere paranoia is likely to limit engagement in physical activities. In this study we set out to examine for the first time the activity profiles of patients with current persecutory delusions and the associations with psychiatric symptoms. MethodSeventy-five patients with persecutory delusions in the context of non-affective psychosis wore a pedometer for seven days. Participants completed measures of meaningful activity, mobility, and psychiatric symptoms. Latent class analysis was used to identify physical activity profiles. ResultsThree distinct activity profiles emerged: a mobile but inactive group (n = 47, 63%) (mean daily step count = 6453, SD = 3348), an immobile and inactive group (n = 20, 27%) (mean daily step count = 4205, SD = 2442), and a mobile and active group (n = 8, 11%) (mean daily stepcount = 18396, SD = 5715). The groups did not significantly differ in their levels of paranoia, anhedonia, psychological wellbeing, insomnia, beliefs about self or others, or safety-seeking behaviours. There were significant group differences in depression and number of physical health appointments, with the immobile and inactive group showing higher levels of both. There were indications of group differences in body mass index, hours worked, hallucinations, and worry. ConclusionThere are likely to be different physical activity profiles for patients with current psychotic experiences. The majority of people with persecutory delusions are physically inactive, but a small minority are highly active. In those patients who have low activity levels, there is a potentially important distinction in self-reported mobility, which warrants further investigation. Treatments designed to improve physical activity levels may need to tailor by activity profile.

Impressions matter more than privacy: The moderating roles of affordances in the relation between social anxiety and online safety-seeking behaviors

Though socially anxious individuals tend to seek safety, little is known about whether this relationship depends on context, including the affordances of social networking sites (SNSs) to provide anonymity and publicness, and whether safety-seeking can be explained by impression management, privacy calculus or both. Based on the psychobiological model of social anxiety, we conducted two studies (Study 1: N = 103, Study 2: N = 1,184) to examine the contextual dependence of safety-seeking behaviors and to disentangle which types of concerns mediate the effect of social anxiety on safety-seeking behaviors. Results indicated that socially anxious individuals tend to seek safety on SNSs, and this tendency is stronger in less anonymous SNSs. Both evaluative concerns and privacy concerns mediate the relation between social anxiety and safety-seeking behaviors, while the indirect effect of evaluative concerns is stronger than that of privacy. Publicness of an SNS strengthened these indirect effects. These findings highlight the importance of safety perceptions in different online environments, and thereby enrich the literature related to social anxiety and social media use.

Understanding why people with OCD do what they do, and why other people get involved: supporting people with OCD and loved ones to move from safety-seeking behaviours to approach-supporting behaviours

Abstract The distress inherent in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can often lead to partners, family members and friends becoming entangled with the OCD in terms of being drawn into performing certain behaviours to try and reduce the distress of their loved one. In the past this has often been referred to somewhat pejoratively as collusion, or more neutrally as accommodation. In this paper we emphasise that this is usually a natural human response to seeing a loved one in distress and wanting to help. This paper provides detailed clinical guidance on how to understand this involvement and how to include others in the treatment of OCD along with practical tips and hints around potential blocks that may require troubleshooting. It also details the relatively recently introduced concept of approach-supporting behaviours, and provides guidance on how to distinguish these from safety-seeking behaviours. The ‘special case’ of reassurance seeking is also discussed. Key learning aims (1) To illustrate the importance of understanding the person’s OCD beliefs ‘from the inside’ including the internal logic that leads to specific behaviours. (2) To understand the ways that key individuals in the lives of people with OCD can become entangled with the OCD (through the best of intentions) and to provide practical clinical guidance for CBT therapists around how to engage and work with these individuals in the lives of people with OCD. (3) To explain and delineate the idea of approach-supporting behaviours, distinguishing these from safety-seeking behaviours. (4) To distinguish the interpersonal component of reassurance from the neutralisation component and provide guidance on how we can help family members to replace reassurance with something that is equally or more supportive whilst not maintaining the OCD.

Revised Beckian cognitive therapy for generalised anxiety disorder

Abstract Since its inclusion in the DSM-III, various theories and treatment approaches have been developed for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Aaron T. Beck was the first to offer a cognitive conceptualisation of GAD in Anxiety Disorders and Phobias: A Cognitive Perspective. This original cognitive model of GAD was initially found to be promising in treating GAD but has not been developed further. Other theoretical models and treatments of GAD have gained more research attention, such as the Intolerance of Uncertainty model and Meta-Cognitive model. This article offers a brief overview of multiple theories and treatment approaches of GAD followed by an extensive discussion about the original cognitive model and a revised cognitive model of GAD in the Beckian tradition. Specifically, this paper describes how known key psychological maintenance factors of anxiety disorders, i.e. threat beliefs, safety-seeking behaviours and selective attention, can be used to conceptualise the experience of people with GAD and guide treatment. This is done with theoretical discussion as well as clinical examples. Finally, the paper offers suggestions for key ingredients to be included in cognitive therapy for GAD and future directions for research. Key learning aims (1) To understand the clinical implications of the original cognitive model and the revised model of generalised anxiety disorder presented here. (2) To understand the role of inflated responsibility for safety, safety-seeking behaviours and elevated evidence requirements in generalised anxiety disorder. (3) To understand and be able to implement treatment recommendations of the revised cognitive model of generalised anxiety disorder.

'Safe within Reach of My Phone': Explaining the Relationship between Social Anxiety and Problematic Internet Use Through Social Connections and Avoidant Safety-Seeking Behaviors

'Safe within Reach of My Phone': Explaining the Relationship between Social Anxiety and Problematic Internet Use Through Social Connections and Avoidant Safety-Seeking Behaviors

The Relationships among Anxiety, Subjective Well-Being, Media Consumption, and Safety-Seeking Behaviors during the COVID-19 Epidemic.

The COVID-19 epidemic has been confirmed as the largest scale outbreak of atypical pneumonia since the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 and it has become a public health emergency of international concern. It exacerbated public confusion and anxiety, and the impact of COVID-19 on people needs to be better understood. Indeed, prior studies that conducted meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort research compared mental health before versus during the COVID-19 pandemic and proved that public health polices (e.g., city lockdowns, quarantines, avoiding gatherings, etc.) and COVID-19-related information that circulates on new media platforms directly affected citizen’s mental health and well-being. Hence, this research aims to explore Taiwanese people’s health status, anxiety, media sources for obtaining COVID-19 information, subjective well-being, and safety-seeking behavior during the COVID-19 epidemic and how they are associated. Online surveys were conducted through new media platforms, and 342 responses were included in the analysis. The research results indicate that the participants experienced different aspects of COVID-19 anxiety, including COVID-19 worry and perceived COVID-19 risk. Among the given media sources, the more participants searched for COVID-19 information on new media, the greater they worried about COVID-19. Furthermore, COVID-19 worry was positively related to safety-seeking behavior, while perceived COVID-19 risk was negatively related to subjective well-being. This paper concludes by offering some suggestions for future studies and pointing out limitations of the present study.