Fear in the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Correlates: A Comparison between Students with Sensory Disabilities and without in Beijing

Abstract

The fear among college students of different sensory status during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing was assessed with its correlates. The total sample of 686 cases was composed of students without sensory disabilities, students that are hard of hearing, and with a visual impairment. The measure of fear was adopted from an instrument assessing people’s fear of flu published by WHO. The correlate variables beyond the demographics were all previously validated and documented tools. The students without sensory disabilities are more fearful than the students with sensory impairment. Females are more fearful than males. Social support reduces fear. Life satisfaction is negatively related to fear. While stress and anxiety increase fear, depression is negatively correlated with fear. Findings indicate that students with sensory disabilities are not the most fearful in a pandemic disaster like the current COVID-19, which may increase their risk of infection.