Social Distancing During A COVID-19 Lockdown Contributes to The Maintenance of Social Anxiety: A Natural Experiment

Arad, Gal; Shamai-Leshem, Dana; Bar‐Haim, Yair

doi:10.1007/s10608-021-10231-7

Cited by 38 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Specifically, levels of social anxiety increased fastest where restrictions were easing fastest. This is consistent with features of social anxiety symptoms where lack of social exposure can maintain symptom severity ( 27 , 28 ). The effect of social restriction severity on depressive symptoms was also examined, and our findings showed that changes in social restrictions did not influence the rate at which people reduced on depressive symptoms.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

A Global Longitudinal Study Examining Social Restrictions Severity on Loneliness, Social Anxiety, and Depression

et al. 2022

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PurposeSocial restrictions and government-mandated lockdowns implemented worldwide to kerb the SARS-CoV-2 virus disrupted our social interactions, behaviours, and routines. While many studies have examined how the pandemic influenced loneliness and poor mental health, such as depression, almost none have focussed on social anxiety. Further, how the change in social restrictions affected change in mental-health and well-being has not yet been explored.MethodsThis is a longitudinal cohort study in community dwellers who were surveyed across three timepoints in the first six months of the pandemic. We measured loneliness, social anxiety, depression, and social restrictions severity that were objectively coded in a sample from Australia, United States, and United Kingdom (n = 1562) at each time point. Longitudinal data were analysed using a multivariate latent growth curve model.ResultsLoneliness reduced, depression marginally reduced, and social anxiety symptoms increased as social restrictions eased. Specific demographic factors (e.g., younger age, unemployment, lower wealth, and living alone) all influenced loneliness, depression, and social anxiety at baseline. No demographic factors influenced changes for loneliness; we found that those aged over 25 years reduced faster on depression, while those younger than 25 years and unemployed increased faster on social anxiety over time.ConclusionWe found evidence that easing social restrictions brought about additional burden to people who experienced higher social anxiety symptoms. As country-mandated lockdown and social restrictions eased, people are more likely report higher social anxiety as they readjust into their social environment. Mental health practitioners are likely to see higher levels of social anxiety in vulnerable communities even as social restrictions ease.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

A Global Longitudinal Study Examining Social Restrictions Severity on Loneliness, Social Anxiety, and Depression

et al. 2022

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“…Social restriction implemented as the quarantine measure during the COVID-19 pandemic and the perceived social isolation [ 51 ] has contributed to significant psychological distress [ 52 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic affected different aspects of daily life and mental well-being, making it difficult to reduce its influence on a single factor such as social avoidance [ 53 , 54 ]. It was found that social avoidance is a social risk of youth development [ 55 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Prevalence and Unique Risk Factors of Suicidal Ideation among First-Year University Students in China Using a Unique Multidimensional University Personality Inventor

Yeo

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: University students with suicidal ideation are at high risk of suicide, which constitutes a significant social and public health problem in China. However, little is known about the prevalence and associated risk factors of suicidal ideation among first-year university students in China, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and its factors in first-year Chinese university students from a vocational college in Zhejiang during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using a cluster sampling technique, a university-wide survey was conducted of 686 first-year university students from Hangzhou in March 2020 using University Personality Inventory (UPI). UPI includes an assessment for suicidal ideation and possible risk factors. Suicidal ideation prevalence was calculated for males and females. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression models were conducted, adjusting for age and sex. Analyses were carried out using the SPSS version 22.0 software. Results: The prevalence of 12-month suicidal ideation among first-year university students during March 2020 was 5.2%, and there was no significant difference between males and females (4.8% vs. 6.0%, x2 = 0.28, p = 0.597). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified social avoidance (B = 0.78, OR = 2.17, p < 0.001) and emotional vulnerability (B = 0.71, OR = 2.02, p < 0.001) as positively associated with suicidal ideation. Conclusions: Social avoidance and emotional vulnerabilities are unique factors associated with greater suicidal ideation among first-year university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. UPI serves as a validated tool to screen suicide risks among Chinese university students. Encouraging social engagement and improving emotional regulation skills are promising targets to reduce suicidal ideation among first-year university students.

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“…The prognosis of the course of the disorder in patients diagnosed with social phobia during the pandemic significantly worsened. In experimental studies of students by Arad et al (2021) in the academic year 2019-2020, the level of social anxiety in the respondents remained at a high and unchanged level. They also found that the severity of social anxiety among students was lower before the pandemic period.…”

Section: Phobic Disorders In the Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…A study by Saint and Moscovitch (2021) found that wearing masks by people diagnosed with social anxiety can make respondents worry that they will not be well understood. According to the researchers, the impact of wearing masks on the incidence and severity of social anxiety will probably be clear and clinically significant [8,9].…”

Section: Phobic Disorders In the Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of anxiety disorders - a literature review

Koch

Chmielowiec

Grzywacz

et al. 2021

Current Problems of Psychiatry

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Introduction: The COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A number of psychological symptoms have been identified in people living during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of them are associated with widely understood anxiety disorders, which have always been a significant problem for mental health. Materials and methods: The available literature was reviewed on the Pubmed platform and from other sources. The analysis included original studies, reviews, meta-analyzes and internet sources. The aim of the study was to review the literature on the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the occurrence and severity of symptoms of anxiety disorders. Results: The studies conducted so far show that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental state of people around the world, especially in the area of anxiety disorders. Many studies indicate an increase in the prevalence of symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Research also indicates a greater incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder in society. Symptoms of somatization were also quite often observed in patients. However, the state of published studies indicates that the pandemic did not significantly affect the severity of symptoms associated with social phobia. In the context of phobic disorders, a new type has been formulated: COVID-19-related phobia. Conclusions: The conducted literature review shows that the current COVID-19 pandemic is associated with an increase in the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety disorders in the general population. The multifaceted nature of the issue of anxiety disorders in the COVID-19 pandemic clearly indicates the need to continue research in this area.

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Social Distancing During A COVID-19 Lockdown Contributes to The Maintenance of Social Anxiety: A Natural Experiment

Cited by 38 publications

References 43 publications

A Global Longitudinal Study Examining Social Restrictions Severity on Loneliness, Social Anxiety, and Depression

A Global Longitudinal Study Examining Social Restrictions Severity on Loneliness, Social Anxiety, and Depression

Assessing Prevalence and Unique Risk Factors of Suicidal Ideation among First-Year University Students in China Using a Unique Multidimensional University Personality Inventor

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of anxiety disorders - a literature review

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