Viral Anxiety Mediates the Influence of Intolerance of Uncertainty on Adherence to Physical Distancing Among Healthcare Workers in COVID-19 Pandemic

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Objective We aimed to examined the reliability and validity of Korean version of Social Distancing Phobia scale, and whether intolerance of uncertainty mediates the association of the general population’s social distancing phobia with viral anxiety and depression.Methods Through this anonymous online survey, we collected responses from 400 individuals in the general Korean population. Participants’ demographic information and rating scales scores, including the Social Distancing Phobia scale, Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 items, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Intolerance of Uncertainty-12 items.Results Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit, and the Korean version of Social Distancing Phobia scale showed good internal consistency. Social distancing phobia was significantly correlated with age (r=0.213, p<0.001), viral anxiety (r=0.390, p<0.001), depression (r=0.244, p<0.001), and intolerance of uncertainty (r=0.323, p<0.001). A linear regression analysis showed that age (β=0.235, p<0.001), viral anxiety (β=0.281, p<0.001), depression (β=0.121, p=0.009), and intolerance of uncertainty (β=0.200, p<0.001; adjusted R<sup>2</sup>=0.246, F=33.6, p<0.001) predicted social distancing phobia. Mediation analysis revealed that viral anxiety directly influenced social distancing phobia (z=6.48, p<0.001), and intolerance of uncertainty partially mediated this association (z=2.92, p=0.003).Conclusion Social distancing phobia may cause psychological stress but may also increase adherence to physical distancing measures and prevent the spread of viruses.

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Intolerance Of Uncertainty Viral Anxiety and Physical Distan...mentioning

confidence: 96%

Intolerance of Uncertainty Mediates the Influence of Viral Anxiety on Social Distancing Phobia Among the General Korean Population During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Cho

Ahmed

Lee

et al. 2022

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“…This pattern made them adhere to the physical distancing policy more. 21 This study also observed that firefighters' pandemic grief response and intolerance of uncertainty could distribute CO-VID-related hypochondriacal responses. Pandemic grief response influenced their viral anxiety, reassurance-seeking behavior, and preoccupation with the virus.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

“…35 Among healthcare workers, it was reported that intolerance of uncertainty was one of the factors for psycho-logical stress, contributing to adherence to the physical distancing policy. 21 Firefighters' intolerance of uncertainty influences their hypochondriacal responses to coronavirus, and resultantly it may act as a double-edged sword. Preoccupation with coronavirus makes them adhere to physical distancing and is a preventive measure for their health status and those they care for.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pandemic Grief Reaction and Intolerance of Uncertainty on the Cognitive-Behavioral Model of COVID-Related Hypochondriasis Among Firefighters

Chung,

Lee,

Jang

et al. 2023

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Objective This study aimed to explore the feasibility of cognitive-behavioral model hypochondriasis regarding coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) among firefighters. In addition, we examined the possible role of their grief reaction and intolerance of uncertainty in the model of COVID-related hypochondriasis.Methods An anonymous online survey was done on October 27–28, 2022, among firefighters who witnessed people’s death. Demographic characteristics were collected, and their psychological states were assessed using rating scales such as the Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS), Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS), and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale–12 (IUS-12).Results Their OCS score was expected by the CRBS (β=0.30, p<0.001), FCV-19S (β=0.10, p<0.001), PGS (β=0.29, p<0.001), and IUS12 (β=0.04, p=0.024) (F=134.5, p<0.001). The COVID-related cognitive-behavioral model of hypochondriasis was feasible among firefighters who witnessed people’s death. Their pandemic grief reaction and intolerance of uncertainty directly influenced their preoccupation with coronavirus, and viral anxiety and coronavirus reassurance-seeking behavior mediated the relationship.Conclusion Firefighters’ viral anxiety and coronavirus reassurance-seeking behavior mediated the influence of pandemic grief reaction or intolerance of uncertainty on the preoccupation with coronavirus.

“…The practice entails staying at least two meters away from others in crowded public places, avoiding large crowds, and minimizing non-essential travel [ 2 ]. This policy was helpful in slowing down the spread of the virus, reducing the infection or mortality rates from the virus, and reducing the burden placed on healthcare systems [ 3 ]. However, the term physical distancing was changed from social distancing [ 4 ], because the latter insinuates being ignored, unwelcome, left alone, and even being excluded from society.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Psychological Inflexibility on Social-Distancing Phobia Mediated by Preoccupation With Sleep and Intolerance of Uncertainty in the Elderly Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Chung,

Song,

Günlü

2024

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Objective The aim of this study was to explore whether psychological inflexibility in the elderly population is related to social-distancing phobia, and examine whether their viral anxiety, preoccupation with sleep, or intolerance of uncertainty may mediate the relationship.Methods Among the elderly population aged ≥65 in Korea, we conducted an anonymous online survey during January and February 2023. We collected the responses of 300 participants, collected demographic information, and symptoms using rating scales such as the Social-Distancing Phobia scale, Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 items (SAVE-6), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 (IUS-12), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale (GSES).Results Social-distancing phobia was expected by the SAVE-6 (β=0.34, p<0.001), IUS-12 (β=0.18, p=0.003), and GSES (β=0.18, p= 0.001) in the linear regression analysis. In the mediation analysis, psychological inflexibility did not directly influence social-distancing phobia. However, viral anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, or preoccupation with sleep completely mediated the influence of psychological inflexibility on social-distancing phobia among elderly population.Conclusion The management of psychological inflexibility, intolerance of uncertainty, or preoccupation with sleep needs to be considered when designing interventions to address social-distancing phobia in elderly populations in future pandemics.