Empathy, Fear of Disease and Support for COVID-19 Containment Behaviors: Evidence from 34 Countries on the Moderating Role of Governmental Trust (preprint)

The current study investigated the motives that underlie support for COVID-19 preventive behaviorsin a large, cross-cultural sample of 12,758 individuals from 34 countries. We hypothesized that the associations of empathic prosocial concern and fear of disease, with support towards preventive COVID-19 behaviors would be moderated by the individual-level and country-level trust in the government. Results suggest that the association between fear of disease and support for COVID-19 preventive behaviors was strongest when trust in the government was weak (both at individual and country-level). Conversely, the association with empathic prosocial concern was strongest when trust was high, but this moderation was only found at individual-level scores of governmental trust. We discuss how both fear and empathy motivations to support preventive COVID-19 behaviors may be shaped by socio-cultural context, and outline how the present findings may contribute to a better understanding of collective action during global crises.

Fear among Syrians: a Proposed Cutoff Score and Validation of the Arabic Fear of COVID-19 Scale- A National Survey (preprint)

Abstract: Background: COVID 19 pandemic has led to psychological health issues one of which is fear. This study validates the Arabic version of the fear of COVID 19 scale and suggests a new cutoff score to measure fear of COVID 19 among the Syrian Population. Methods: A total of 3989 participants filled an online survey consisting of socio-demographic information, the fear of COVID 19 scale, the patient health questionnaire 9-item, and the generalized anxiety disorder 7 item. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to define cutoff scores for the fear of COVID 19 scale in relation to generalized anxiety disorder 7 item and the patient health questionnaire 9 item. Results: The Cronbach alpha value of the Arabic fear of COVID 19 scale was 0.896, revealing good stability and internal consistency. The inter-item correlations were between [0.420 and 0.868] and the corrected item-total correlations were between [0.614 and 0.768]. A cutoff point of 17.5 was deduced from analysis. According to the deduced cutoff point, 2111(52.9%) were classified as cases with extreme fear Conclusion: This cutoff score deduced from this study can be used for screening purposes to identify individuals that may be most vulnerable towards developing extreme fear of COVID 19. Therefore, early preventive and supportive measures can then be delivered.

Psychological Impacts and Attitudes of the Syrian Population Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic and Face Masks During the First Syrian Lockdown (preprint)

Background This study assesses the attitudes and psychological impacts regarding COVID-19 and face masks among the Syrian population during the current pandemic and war.Methods A web-based cross-sectional Arabic survey design was employed. The survey was distributed in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and civil war in Syria. The survey contained items relating to socio-demographic characteristics and items assessing attitudes regarding COVID-19, and face masks. The chi-square test was applied to the questions against socio-demographic variables.Results Of the 4148 participants, 3053(73.6%) were female, and 3238(78.1%) were single. 423(10.2%) and 1573(37.9%) stated they had poor and moderate economic status respectively. Home quarantine has led to an increase in family problems 3016(72.7%) and has had a negative psychological impact upon 1666(40.2%) Syrians. 538(13.0%) are shy about wearing face masks in public.Conclusion Mountainous input from the Syrian government is needed to combat the threat of COVID-19 through targeted awareness campaigns and national helplines aimed at specific socio-demographic variables.

A Crisis within a Crisis: An Assessment of COVID-19 Attitude and Practice among Syrians - A Cross-sectional Study (preprint)

Introduction: COVID-19 has overwhelmed public healthcare systems worldwide, exacted substantial economic burden, and forced governments to impose partial or complete lockdowns of entire countries with stringent infection control measures to curb the spread of the virus. This study aimed to reflect the Syrian public’s adherence to infection control measures by assessing their attitude and practice during this outbreak embedded within the war in Syria.Methods: This web-based cross-sectional study was distributed randomly in March 2020, nearly 11 years into the Syrian war crisis. The survey consists of 3 sections: socio-demographic characteristics, attitude, and practice. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with good practice, and negative attitude. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0.Results: Of the 3586 participants, 68.2% were females, 50.8% were unemployed, and 79.2% were college-educated. Only 1402(39.1%) participants were wearing face masks when leaving their homes. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender, age, and residence were factors associated with good practice towards avoiding mass gatherings, wearing face masks, and maintaining a 1-meter interpersonal distance; however, age and occupation were factors associated with a negative attitude towards the closure of universities and schools, travel ban, and quarantine for travelers.Conclusion: This survey sheds light on the need for multiple measures to address targeted populations; there must be a specialized method of prevention for each occupation, age group, and place of residence to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19.

A Crisis within a Crisis: COVID-19 Knowledge and Awareness among the Syrian Population—A National Survey Assessment (preprint)

Background: COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease that emerged from a wet market in Wuhan China and quickly exploded into a global pandemic. This coronavirus has overwhelmed public health systems worldwide, and forced governments to impose draconian lockdowns of entire populations. With no vaccine or treatment to date, it is of paramount importance to assess the public’s awareness about COVID-19 so that knowledge gaps among the population can be targeted with prevention-focused educational campaigns. The aim of this study is to examine the Syrian public’s awareness and knowledge regarding COVID-19.     Methods: This web-based cross-sectional study was distributed randomly in March 2020, nearly 10 year into the Syrian war crisis. The survey consists of a series of questions about socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of the causative agent, incubation period, treatment, transmission pathways, clinical features, and prevention methods. Data was analysed using the statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0.Results: Of the 3586 participants, 68.2% were females, 50.8% were unemployed, and 79.2% were at college-educated. The study revealed good awareness regarding COVID-19 (mean 75.6%, SD±9.4%). Multiple linear regression analysis correlated knowledge scores with gender, education level, occupation, economic status, and the number of household members.Conclusion: This study revealed some potentially troubling knowledge gaps which underscore the need for a vigorous public education campaign. This campaign must reinforce the public's awareness, knowledge, and vigilance towards precautionary measures against COVID-19 and, most importantly aid in controlling the worldwide spread of the disease.