Introduction: The worldwide emergence of COVID-19 has been associated with
diverse consequences, including anxiety. Hope is believed to act as a motivation to enable
one to cope with the anxiety. This study was conducted to identify the role of hope in
alleviating anxiety due to the COVID-19 outbreak during the primary phase among
community dwellers in Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 3,565 subjects with the convenience
sampling method. Data collection tools used included the COVID-19 knowledge checklist,
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaires and Snyder Hope Scale. Participants
were asked to fill in the questionnaires online. The data were analysed using descriptive
and inferential statistics (multivariate linear regression analysis).
Results: Participants’ mean scores of anxiety and hope were 6.06±4.52 and 31.27±4.52,
respectively. The results indicated that 27.1% of the changes in the anxiety scores were
predictable with some of the variables examined in this study. A high score of hope was
directly associated with a lower level of anxiety. In addition, the number of hours spent
following news and information on COVID-19 was significantly related to anxiety level.
Moreover, female gender, urban residence, and having relatives suffering from COVID-19
were significantly related to a higher level of anxiety (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The morbidity and mortality associated with the COVID-19 outbreak had
brought a lot of anxiety among community dwellers. Hope, potentially, can contribute
to overcoming anxiety. Therefore, health policymakers can introduce appropriate social
interventions to enable the community to cope with stress and anxiety.
Keywords: Generalised anxiety disorder, hope, mental health, pandemic