Fear of COVID-19 and its associations with perceived personal and family benefits and harms in Hong Kong

Abstract

Fear of COVID-19 is associated with public health compliance but also with negative well-being; however, no articles have reported associations of such fear with perceived benefits and harms. We assessed the level of fear of COVID-19 in Hong Kong adults and its associations with sociodemographic factors and perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19. In a 6-day population-based cross-sectional online survey in May 2020, 4,890 adults provided data on fear and perceived benefits and harms, personal happiness and family well-being, and sociodemographic characteristics. Linear regression was used to analyze associations. The level of fear was moderate (mean score 6.3/10). Fewer respondents reported perceived benefits (10.6%–21.7%) than harms (13.4%–43.5%). Females, younger age groups, and respondents with lower education or more cohabitants had greater fear. Fear was associated with perceived personal (increased knowledge of personal epidemic prevention) and family benefits (improved family hygiene), both with a very small effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.03). Fear was also associated with lower personal happiness and perceived personal (increased negative emotions, feeling depressed and anxious, decreased income, and decreased work efficiency) and family harms (increased conflicts and negative emotions among family members), with small effect sizes (0.08–0.37). We have first shown sociodemographic differences in the fear of COVID-19 and such fear was associated with both perceived personal and family benefits and harms of COVID-19. Our findings may guide the management of fear to reduce sociodemographic differences, and maximize benefits and minimize harms.

The Moderating Role of Caregiving on Fear of COVID-19 and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms

“…This hypothesis was confirmed since both mental health outcomes (fear and PTSS) were found to be strongly correlated ( r = 0.59) and mean severity scores were similar to previous studies [ 64 , 68 , 69 ]. Regarding other variables that could increase psychological distress in our sample, fear and PTSS symptoms were also associated with female gender and higher scores in COVID-19-related risk factors [ 17 , 25 , 27 , 30 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 53 , 70 , 71 ]. These risk factors included occupational risk of COVID-19, self-reporting of COVID-19 diagnosis, having relative/friends diagnosed with the disease and being under psychological treatment.…”

“…Given its importance in the context of a pandemic, several studies have examined which variables increase the risk of experiencing intense fear. Again, female gender as well as lower educational level, intolerance of uncertainty or perceived vulnerability to the disease have been identified as strong risk factors for fear, not only in current COVID-19 pandemic, but also in the previous aforementioned epidemics [ 8 , 17 , 30 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Fear is also associated with lower self-efficacy and insecure attachment, especially in the use of avoidance behaviors to manage anxiety and as preventive strategies [ 37 , 38 ].…”

Elderly acceptance of telemedicine use in Hong Kong during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional cohort survey

“…This may be explained by the fear of COVID-19 infection within the Hong Kong population, prompting citizens to avoid public transport and practice social distancing. [15] Having previously experienced the SARS epidemic of March 2003, many Hong Kong citizens are still fearful of unknown infectious diseases. [16] Given that telemedicine carries no risk of infection compared to traditional face-to-face consultations, [17] it certainly has value under an epidemic or pandemic scenario; however, it has been shown in literature that telemedicine would underperform in hands-on procedures, such as physical examination or postoperative care.…”

Miedo al COVID-19 en residentes de un Asentamiento Humano en Puente Piedra, Lima

“…El incremento de personas infectadas y las muertes por el coronavirus, afecta la salud emocional y conlleva a tener una conducta negativa que provoque trastornos mentales. En su estudio Sit y colaboradores (27) , señalaron que el miedo al COVID-19 en la población general fue de efecto moderado, lo cual género daños personales y familiares, en lo personal el aumento de emociones negativas, sensaciones de depresión y ansiedad con efecto pequeño, en lo familiar provocó incremento de conflictos y emociones negativas en los miembros de la familia con efecto pequeño. Huarcaya y colaboradores (17) , señalan que del total de los participantes se evidencio mayor miedo al COVID-19 en las mujeres que, en los varones, hubo además un nivel mayor de estrés postraumático en las mujeres.…”