The Relationship Between Fear and Anxiety Among Chinese Uninfected Residents During the Pandemic: A Conditional Process Analysis

Abstract

Background This study aimed to explore the relationship between residents’ COVID-19 fear and anxiety, consider whether this relationship is mediated through obsessions and the moderating role of self-efficacy on this mediating pathway. Methods This study used an online questionnaire to obtain and assess fear, obsession, anxiety and self-efficacy in 1589 Chinese COVID-19 uninfected residents. A conditional process model was used to examine the relationships between variables. Results Higher levels of fear were positively associated with obsession and anxiety. In addition, obsession was positively associated with anxiety, while self-efficacy attenuated the effect of fear on obsession and further mitigated the indirect effect of fear on anxiety through obsession. Conclusion During the COVID-19 outbreak, uninfected residents suffered varying degrees of psychological distress. COVID-19 fear may have an effect on anxiety in COVID survivors through obsession, and self-efficacy as a protective factor for individual mental health partially attenuates the effect of COVID-19 fear on obsession and the indirect effect of fear on anxiety.