Prevalence and Psychosocial Predictors of Cyberchondria in Nigeria During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and frequently changing information about the virus heighten the potentials cyberchondria. This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of cyberchondria among Nigerians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants (n=406, 268 males, Mage = 37.68 years, SD = 10.78) completed an online survey consisting of validated measures of cyberchondria, health anxiety, neuroticism, quality of life, medical history, and socio-demographic information. Participants (Mscore= 27.44±7.31) reported moderate to high levels of cyberchondria. Results of hierarchical regression showed that although all predictor variables collectively predicted cyberchondria with 22% of explained variance, the strongest predictors of cyberchondria were health anxiety and the number of prior hospital visits. Reducing the level of cyberchondria during the COVID-19 pandemic requires the ability to deal with health-related fear and effectively managing the uncertainties surrounding online health information.

COVID-19 anxiety and mental health among university students during the early phases of the U.S. pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the impact of COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic on university students in the U.S. by: (1) characterizing COVID-19-related disruptions; (2) evaluating health anxiety, obsessive-compulsive (OC), depression, and stress symptoms; and (3) analyzing the unique role of COVID-19 anxiety on mental health outcomes, after accounting for relevant variables. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 263 students (63.9% female). METHODS: Data were collected online between March 19, 2020 and May 1, 2020. RESULTS: Participants screened positive for health anxiety (6.5%), OC symptoms (48.7%), or depression (29.7%). COVID-19 anxiety was positively associated with mental health symptoms. After controlling for demographics and COVID-19 impact, COVID-19 anxiety accounted for significant variance in health anxiety, OC symptoms, and stress. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate the vast impact of COVID-19 on mental health among university students and provide guidance for identifying mental health priorities in the context of public health crises.

Health anxiety, death anxiety and coronaphobia: Predictors of postpartum depression symptomatology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To determine levels of postpartum depression symptoms and possible relevant predictors, such as death anxiety, health anxiety, and coronavirus-related anxiety. DESIGN: Cross-sectional web-based survey using quantitative methods. SETTING: Exclusively online recruiting via social media and unpaid cross-posting conducted during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania. PARTICIPANTS: Women were eligible to take part in the study if they were mothers over the age of 18 and had a baby aged between 4 weeks - 12 months of age; 1024 women were included in the final sample. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: Health anxiety, death anxiety, coronavirus-related anxiety, and postpartum depression symptoms were measured using validated instruments. Current depression symptomatology was 67.6%, 26.7% scored above the cut-off for high health anxiety, 1% for coronavirus-related anxiety, and 62.7% for death anxiety. Significant predictors for depressive symptomatology were breastfeeding, history of depression, family income, number of children, health anxiety, death anxiety, and coronavirus anxiety. Further, hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that death anxiety, health anxiety, and coronavirus anxiety predicted postpartum depression symptoms over and above socio-demographic factors. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Supported by previous studies, our results suggest that postpartum depression symptomatology levels during the COVID-19 pandemic are high and that they are predicted by health and death anxiety, which are also increased during the pandemic. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: The findings provide information to identify the risk for depression symptoms in postpartum mothers during acute public health situations.

Health-related social media use and COVID-19 anxiety in adolescence: health anxiety as covariate and moderator.

Background: Adolescents can benefit from engagement with health-related content on social media (e.g., viewing, commenting, or sharing content related to diseases, prevention, or healthy lifestyle). Nevertheless, such content may be distressing or exaggerated and present a challenge to mental well-being, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rumination about such content may lead to COVID-19 anxiety. Yet, the individual factors that would explain the association between health-related social media use (SMU) and COVID-19 anxiety are understudied. Objective: In the current study, we aimed to fill the gap by investigating the association between health-related social media use (SMU) and COVID-19 anxiety in light of several individual factors: health anxiety, eHealth literacy, and mild and severe experience with COVID-19 infection. We (1) studied the relationship between individual factors and health-related SMU, (2) tested health anxiety as a moderator in the association between health-related SMU and COVID-19 anxiety, and (3) explored a direct effect of experience with COVID-19 on COVID-19 anxiety. Methods: Using structural equation modeling, we analyzed cross-sectional data from a representative sample of 2,500 Czech adolescents aged 11-16, 50% girls. Sociodemographic measures, health-related SMU, COVIDCOVID-19 anxiety, health anxiety, eHealth literacy, and mild and severe experience with COVID-19 infection were assessed with an anonymous online survey. The data were collected in June 2021. Results: We conducted a path analysis to test the main relationships and an additional simple-slopes analysis to explore the moderating effect of health anxiety. Higher health anxiety and eHealth literacy were associated with increased health-related SMU. The effect of experience with COVID-19 infection on both COVID-19 anxiety and health-related SMU was negligible. Health-related SMU and COVID-19 anxiety were positively associated, however, only for adolescents high in health anxiety. For other adolescents, the two variables were unrelated. Conclusion: Our findings show that adolescents with higher health anxiety and eHealth literacy engage in health-related SMU more intensively. Furthermore, for adolescents high in health anxiety, the frequency of health-related SMU is associated with the risk of COVID-19 anxiety. This is likely due to differences in media use. Adolescents with high health anxiety may use social media for content that is more likely to lead to COVID-19 anxiety compared to other adolescents. We recommend focusing on the identification of such content, which may lead to more precise recommendations regarding health-related SMU compared to cut-back on the frequency of overall SMU.

Resilience as a moderator between anxiety sensitivity and health anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has been described as a collective trauma both in the U.S. and the world at large (Watson et al., 2020), requiring individuals and systems to rapidly adapt and re-adapt to constant change. Research literature has established the pandemic has resulted in numerous negative mental health consequences with anxiety and associated constructs being the most common response to the pandemic (Goldbach et al., 2020;Wang et al., 2020). The current study sought to identify the relationship between resilience, anxiety sensitivity, and health anxiety during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the present study utilized moderation analyses to examine the influence of resilience on the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and health anxiety. At this time, no known study has examined resilience as a moderator for anxiety sensitivity and health anxiety in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of the study indicated resilience significantly moderated the relationship between physical and cognitive anxiety sensitivity and health anxiety, but this was not the case with the social anxiety sensitivity subscale. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Beliefs and care practices around COVID-19 in railway personnel in Argentina

Objective: to characterize the situation of railway workers regarding their beliefs and practices of occupational health care in the context of COVID-19. The "ASPO", decreed on 03/20/2020 in Argentina, recognizes public passenger transport as an essential service. Public transport systems are high-risk contexts since they transport large numbers of people in a confined space, with limited ventilation, many common contact surfaces and few possibilities of identifying people infected with coronavirus. Methodology: exploratory-descriptive, quantitative and observational design, with a standardized questionnaire of questions and specific indicators for data collection. The sampling by quotas that was made up of 459 participants from different railway lines. Results 81.4% consider that it is very possible/quite possible to become infected in their workplace, while the home is perceived as the place with the lowest risk of contagion (65.68%). The perception of the feeling of sustained tiredness/listlessness increased by 44%;that of bad mood/irritability/nervousness 46.8%;constant alertness 55.7%;fear of getting sick/dying 39.7%;appetite 40.1%;difficulty sleeping 35.9%;and sexual desire 16.6% while it decreased by 14.4%. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Spanish) Objetivo: caracterizar la situacion de los trabajadores ferroviarios respecto de sus creencias y practicas de cuidado de la salud laboral en el contexto de la COVID-19. El Aislamiento Social Preventivo Obligatorio, decretado el 20/03/2020 en Argentina, reconoce al transporte publico de pasajeros como servicio esencial. Los sistemas de transporte publico son contextos de alto riesgo ya que transportan un gran numero de personas en un espacio confinado, con ventilacion limitada, gran cantidad de superficies comunes de contacto y escasas posibilidades de identificar personas contagiadas de coronavirus. Metodologia: diseno exploratorio-descriptivo, cuantitativo y observacional, con un cuestionario estandarizado de preguntas e indicadores especificos para la recoleccion de datos. El muestreo por cuotas quedo conformado por 459 participantes de diferentes lineas del ferrocarril. Resultados: el 81,4% considera que es muy posible/bastante posible contagiarse en su lugar de trabajo, mientras el hogar se percibe como el lugar de menor riego de contagio (65,68%). La percepcion sobre la sensacion de cansancio sostenido/desgano aumento un 44%;la de mal humor/irritabilidad/nerviosismo 46,8%;el estado de alerta constante 55,7%;el miedo a enfermar/morir 39,7%;el apetito 40,1%;la dificultad para dormir 35,9%;y el deseo sexual 16,6% mientras que disminuyo en el 14.4%. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Illness anxiety predicts higher mental strain and vaccine willingness-A nine-wave longitudinal study during the first 1.5 years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.

Illness anxiety may amplify vulnerability to psychopathological symptoms during the COVID-19-pandemic-perhaps especially at the beginning of the pandemic and during high infection waves, but empirical evidence on this is lacking. In addition, considering a potentially functional facet of it, illness anxiety might be associated with higher vaccine willingness. We analyzed data of a nine-wave longitudinal online-survey (March 2020-October 2021) with 8148 non-probability sampled adults of the general population in Germany (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04331106). Using multilevel analysis, we investigated longitudinal associations of dimensionally assessed illness anxiety (worry about illness, bodily preoccupation) with mental strain and vaccine willingness and considered the dynamic of the pandemic (i.e., duration and infection rates). Higher worry about illness and bodily preoccupation were associated with higher COVID-19-related fears, unspecific anxiety, depressive symptoms, and vaccine willingness. Vaccine willingness increased over time and in parallel to higher infection rates. Symptoms of mental strain decreased with continuing duration of the pandemic but increased when infection rates inclined. This decrease and increase, respectively, was steeper in individuals with higher illness anxiety. Our findings suggest that individuals with higher illness anxiety are more vulnerable to experience psychopathological symptoms during the ongoing pandemic, particularly at its beginning and during times of high infection rates. Thus, illness anxiety and associated symptoms should be targeted by adaptive measures. The fluctuation of symptoms parallel to the pandemic situation implies that support should be particularly issued at the beginning of extraordinary situations as well as during phases of high infection rates.

The Arab COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale (C-19ASS): COVID-19 anxiety syndrome and psychological symptoms in the Saudi Arabian population.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale (C-19ASS) is a reliable scale assessing dysfunctional coping strategies activated in response to COVID-19 fear and threat. The present study aimed to provide a validation of the Arabic version of the C-19ASS and to explore the association between the C-19ASS and psychological symptoms syndrome. METHOD: In Study 1, a community sample of 404 participants completed the Arabic version of the C-19ASS and results were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis. In Study 2, a community sample of 903 participants completed the Arabic version of the C-19ASS and a series of measures assessing depressed mood and anhedonia, generalized anxiety and health anxiety. Internal consistency, construct validity and incremental validity were assessed. Associations between C-19ASS and psychological symptoms were assessed. RESULTS: Factor analysis identified a two-factor solution (i.e., C-19ASS-Perseveration and C-19ASS-Avoidance), and confirmatory factor analysis suggested a two-factor model best fits the data. The Arabic version of the C-19ASS showed good internal consistency, good construct and incremental validity. COVID-19 anxiety syndrome was associated with more severe anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms and health anxiety. Females had higher levels of COVID-19 anxiety syndrome than males. Participants diagnosed with COVID-19, and those who had experienced loss as a consequence of COVID-19, had higher levels of COVID-19 anxiety syndrome (Perseveration). CONCLUSIONS: The Arabic version of the C-19ASS appears to be a reliable and valid measure of the COVID-19 anxiety syndrome. The COVID-19 anxiety syndrome could be a suitable therapeutic target to improve psychological recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic among Arabs.

Impact of academic stress by parent-proxy on parents' learning-support-services: a moderated-mediation model of health anxiety by parents' educational level

PurposeThis study focused on parents' health anxiety by proxy about their children when they started learning online during the COVID-19 pandemic, to explore the impact of academic stress by parent-proxy on parents' learning support services with the mediating role of health anxiety by parent-proxy and the moderating role of parental educational level.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 8,940 primary school students' parents participated in the study. Bootstrapping was performed to test the constructed model.Findings(1) Academic stress by parent-proxy positively predicted health anxiety by parent-proxy. (2) Health anxiety by parent-proxy significantly positively predicted learning support services. (3) Academic stress by parent-proxy also significantly positively predicted learning support services. (4) Academic stress by parent-proxy positively predicted parents' learning support services through the mediating effect of health anxiety by parent-proxy. (5) Parental educational level moderated the relationship between academic stress by parent-proxy, health anxiety by parent-proxy, and learning support services. Academics and parents will benefit from the conclusions of this study in both theory and practice.Originality/valueDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, offline learning has been replaced with online learning, which has brought with it many physical and mental health problems, including additional academic stress. Most studies on learning support services have focused on offline learning. However, this study explored the relationships between academic stress by parent-proxy, health anxiety by parent-proxy, learning support services, and parental educational level in the context of online learning. Results show that it is necessary to pay attention to academic stress and health to provide children with appropriate learning support services.

Functional Fear Predicts Public Health Compliance in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the current context of the global pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), health professionals are working with social scientists to inform government policy on how to slow the spread of the virus. An increasing amount of social scientific research has looked at the role of public message framing, for instance, but few studies have thus far examined the role of individual differences in emotional and personality-based variables in predicting virus-mitigating behaviors. In this study, we recruited a large international community sample (N = 324) to complete measures of self-perceived risk of contracting COVID-19, fear of the virus, moral foundations, political orientation, and behavior change in response to the pandemic. Consistently, the only predictor of positive behavior change (e.g., social distancing, improved hand hygiene) was fear of COVID-19, with no effect of politically relevant variables. We discuss these data in relation to the potentially functional nature of fear in global health crises.

Effects of Health Anxiety, Social Support, and Coping on Dissociation with Mediating Role of Perceived Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to examine whether health anxiety, social support, and ways of coping relate to dissociation directly or only through the mediation of perceived stress, moderated by the time of measurement (lockdown). We investigated the effect of perceived stress on different forms (sub-scales) of dissociation. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted by an online form at two points in time: the beginning and the later stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: We received a total of 1711 responses. Perceived stress moderately correlated with dissociation in both international and Hungarian samples. Health anxiety showed a strong direct and indirect correlation with dissociation. Regarding social support, the support of family significantly decreased the dissociative experiences in the Hungarian sample mediated by perceived and direct stress. In the international sample, goal-oriented coping strategies strongly decreased all dissociation scales in the first measurement, through the mediation of perceived stress. As for the Hungarian sample, positive thinking was found to decrease dissociation by decreasing perceived stress. CONCLUSION: health anxiety, coping, and social support appeared to influence dissociation directly and through the mediation of perceived stress. Social support, mainly support of the family and problem-focused coping strategies may decrease the level of stress, this way decreasing dissociative behavior.

Antenatal care of pregnant women during pandemic: A phenomenology study.

Objectives: To assess the experience of pregnant women related to antenatal care during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. Method: The qualitative interpretive phenomenology study was conducted from July to September 2022 in Lamongan General Hospital after approval from Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia. The sample comprised pregnant women at very high risk in the third trimester during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. Data was collected from the medical records, and subsequently through semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using the Braun and Clarke thematic analysis. RESULTS: Of the 19 subjects with a mean age of 33.3±4,91 years, 11 (58%) had studied up to high school level and 16(84%) were housewives. There were 5 themes that had a total of 14 sub-themes. The themes were fear of getting pregnant during a pandemic, afraid of losing her baby, losing the support system, adherence to health protocols, and differences in healthcare systems. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy during the pandemic had an impact on the physical and mental health of women and turned into a terrifying experience. Health workers need to pay attention to the physical and psychological conditions of pregnant women, including antenatal care services that must be provided at least six times directly or by using telemedicine.

The Effect of Internet-delivered Mindfulness Stress Reduction Combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Health Anxiety and Quality of Life of Caregiver of Patients Infected by COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a widespread disease all over the world that has caused many psychological complications such as health anxiety (HA) and low quality of life (QOL). Mindfulness-based approaches could improve these complications. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of Internet-delivered mindfulness stress reduction combined with acceptance and commitment therapy (IMSR-ACT) on QOL and HA of caregivers of patients infected by COVID-19. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 72 people from Golpayegan city, Iran, who had a patient with COVID-19 in their family were selected from March to June 2020. A caregiver with a score above 27 on the Health Anxiety inventory (HAI-18) was selected using simple random sampling. Participants were assigned in the intervention or control group by permuted block random allocation. The intervention group was trained by MSR and ACT techniques for 9 weeks accomplished via WhatsApp. All participants completed the QOLQuestionnaire-12 (SF-12) items and HAI-18 before and after completing IMSR-ACT sessions. The data were analyzed through SPSS-23 software, using Chi square, independent and paired t-test, and analysis of covariance, and P-value<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The results showed that the intervention group compared to the control group had a significant decrease in all subscales of HAI after the intervention including worry about consequences (5.78±2.66 vs. 7.37±1.34, P=0.004) and awareness of bodily sensation or changes (8.90±2.77 vs. 11.75±2.30, P=0.001), worry about health (10.94±2.38 vs. 13.09±1.92, P=0.001), and total score of HAI (25.62±4.93 vs. 32.25±3.93, P=0.001). Also, the intervention group compared to the control group had better QOL after the intervention in general health perceptions (3.03±0.96 vs. 2.43±0.95, P=0.01), mental health (7.12±2.25 vs. 6.34±1.85 and P=0.01) and mental component summary) 16.78±3.75 vs. 15.43±3.05, P=0.01), physical component summary (16.06±2.66 vs. 15.19±2.25, P=0.01), and total score of SF-12 (32.84±5.39 vs. 30.62±4.34, P=0.004). Conclusion: Internet-delivered MSR combined with ACT could improve the HA and QOL of caregivers with patients infected by COVID-19. Thus, it can used in other similar situations for now and future. Also, it seems to be a useful approach for caregivers of the other illnesses. Trial Registration Number: IRCT20180909040974N.

The coronavirus anxiety in the elderly: The role of coping styles with stress and meta-worry

Coronavirus symptoms have more severe physical and psychological clinical manifestations in the elderly. Accordingly, the elderly seem to be one of the main groups at risk for Coronavirus disease. The aim of this study was to predict Coronavirus anxiety based on coping styles with stress and meta-worry. The research design was correlational. The statistical population included all the elderly living in Ahvaz, among whom 300 were selected as the study sample using online convenience sampling method. The research instruments included Alizadeh et al.'s Corona Anxiety, Lazarus and Falkman's Coping Styles, and Wells's meta-worry Inventory. Used to analyze the data was a multiple regression method. The results indicated that problem-oriented coping style (r = -0.401) had a negative and significant relationship with corona anxiety in the elderly and emotion-centered coping style (r = 0.281) and meta-worry (r = 0.429) have a positive and significant relationship with corona anxiety (P < 0.01). Besides, the variables of problem-oriented coping style, emotion-centered coping style and meta-worry were able to predict 31.5% of the changes in corona anxiety in the elderly, which the share of meta-worry was more than other variables (P < 0.01). Considering the capability of coping style and meta-worry in predicting Coronavirus anxiety in the elderly, training programs can be designed and represented through virtual workshops to increase problem-oriented coping style and to decrease emotion-centered coping style and meta-worry, in order to reduce Coronavirus anxiety. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Prepandemic relationship satisfaction is related to postpandemic COVID-19 anxiety: A four-wave study in China

The COVID-19 pandemic has had lasting impacts on people's interpersonal relationship and mental health. Using four-wave data in China (N = 222, 54.50% female, M age = 31.53, SD = 8.17), the current study examined whether prepandemic relationship satisfaction was related to postpandemic COVID-19 anxiety through midpandemic perceived social support and/or gratitude. The results showed that people's COVID-19 anxiety decreased from the peak to the trough stage of the pandemic;perceived social support increased markedly from prepandemic to the peak and remained stable subsequently, while relationship satisfaction remained unchanged throughout. Further, it was midpandemic perceived social support, not gratitude, that mediated the association between prepandemic relationship satisfaction and postpandemic COVID-19 anxiety, indicating that perceived social support played a crucial role in this process. Finally, it is suggested that perceived social support should be distinguished from gratitude as two different components of social interactions.

The causal model of Coronavirus anxiety in the elderly based on perceived stress and sense of cohesion: The mediating role of perceived social support

The spread of the Coronavirus is a challenge for healthcare systems all around the world. The elderly are at high risk for complications from Coronavirus due to low immune system function and underlying diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the causal modeling of Corona anxiety in the elderly based on perceived stress and sense of cohesion with the mediating role of perceived social support. The research method was descriptive, of structural equations type. The statistical population included all the elderly living in nursing homes in Ardabil in 2020, from which 160 were selected using purposive sampling. Used to collect data were Alipour et al.'s Corona Anxiety Scale, Sense of Coherence- 13 scale of Antonovsky, Calhoun et al.'s Perceived Stress Scale, and Zimet et al.'s Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data were analyzed by structural equation modeling using SPSS-23 and Lisrel 8.8 software. Based on the obtained results, the causal model confirmed the relationship between perceived stress, sense of cohesion, perceived social support and corona anxiety in the elderly based on different fitness indices (P < 0.05). Perceived stress, sense of cohesion, and perceived social support had a direct effect on corona anxiety in the elderly. Besides, perceived stress and sense of cohesion had an indirect effect on corona anxiety in the elderly through perceived social support (P < 0.05). Thus, in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic, it is possible to play an important role in reducing coronary anxiety in the elderly by informing and applying measures to empower the elderly in the areas of perceived stress, sense of cohesion, and perceived social support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Can prolonged exposure to information on COVID-19 affect mental health negatively?

The COVID-19 pandemic delivered a heavy blow to social and economic development globally and presents an unprecedented challenge to public health and livelihoods. Using data from a survey on the living needs of people in China amid the COVID-19 outbreak, this study analysed the relationship between the duration of exposure to information on COVID-19 and mental health;the mediating effects of risk perception and confidence in pandemic prevention and control were also measured. We found that prolonged exposure to information on COVID-19 made people feel more anxious and stressed. Meanwhile, risk perception and confidence in pandemic prevention and control functioned as mediators between the duration of exposure to information on COVID-19 and anxiety and stress. Therefore, reduced duration of exposure to pandemic information can lower risk perception and enhance confidence in pandemic prevention and control. It can also relieve anxiety and stress caused by information about the spread of the pandemic.

SURAH AL-FATIHAH-BASED GUIDANCE MODEL TO REDUCE WOMEN'S ANXIETY OF THEIR FIRST PREGNANCY

The problem of women's pregnancy anxiety is important to study because it is not only related to pregnant women but also closely related to the fetus they are carrying. This article aims to show whether surah al-Fatihah-based spiritual guidance can be a solution for pregnant women experiencing anxiety. The paper discusses how to operationalize surah al-Fatihah-based guidance for pregnant women, how pregnant women can internalize and carry out an action plan to overcome anxiety, and how to evaluate and repeat the understanding and internalization of surah al-Fatihah through prayer. The article relies on the power of experimental research, in which data is collected through in-depth interviews and qualitatively analyzed with interactive models. The results showed that surah al-Fatihah-based guidance and counseling did not directly address anxiety problems but were able to stimulate pregnant women to carry out various activities consistently, which could reduce anxiety. The current study recommends that counselors and psychologists make it an alternative service in helping clients with psychological and spiritual problems.

Investigation of anxiety among pharmacy students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Cyprus

Background: Anxiety is common among university students and previous research has highlighted the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and higher anxiety scores in the public. Objectives: In this regard, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the anxiety status of pharmacy students studying in Northern Cyprus and analyze the role of some parameters on the observed anxiety scores. Methods: Anxiety scores of 185 pharmacy students studying at two universities in Northern Cyprus were evaluated using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) assessments. Additionally, the information of participants was recorded in terms of sociodemographic and educational characteristics, antidepressants and anxiolytic use, and consumption of vitamin-mineral supplements. The questionnaires were distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic from December 11, 2020, to January 4, 2021, online via the Microsoft TeamsR platform. It should be mentioned that responses were anonymous. Results: The mean BAI and GAD-7 scores of pharmacy students were 13.1+or-11.2 and 10+or-6.7, respectively. Based on the results, 6% of the students (n=11) revealed potentially concerning levels of anxiety in their BAI responses. Moreover, 31.9% of the pharmacy students (n=59) demonstrated severe anxiety scores on the GAD-7. Positive COVID-19 cases in the family led to statistically significant increases in anxiety on both instruments. Pharmacy students with five years of education (B. Pharm/M. Pharm) showed significantly higher anxiety scores on the BAI. Besides, age correlated negatively with anxiety scores on the GAD-7. Neither antidepressant and anxiolytic use nor vitamin/mineral supplement use were not related to the anxiety scores of participants. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrated an alarming anxiety status among pharmacy students during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Diagnosis of a family member with COVID-19 was observed to be critical in triggering the anxiety of pharmacy students. Data from this study should raise awareness to take action plans for the mental well-being of pharmacy students during pandemics.

Health Anxiety, Information Anxiety, and Internet Self-Efficacy on Cyberchondria among Filipino Young Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The mobility restrictions due to COVID-19 lockdown impositions have forced people to stay at home in lieu of face-to-face activities. In effect, it has increased people's exposure to the Internet and its perils, brought by excessive information from different media that may lead to the development of health-related anxiety. This phenomenon is known as cyberchondria, where people may have experienced extreme anxiety about their physical health because of repeated internet searches concerning their medical conditions. This paper investigates the possible relationship between health anxiety, information anxiety, and computer self-efficacy toward cyberchondria. Data from a cross-sectional method using online surveys among fresh graduates aged 21-24 in several Philippine higher education institutions were analyzed. The results of the structural model test reveal that both health anxiety and information anxiety may contribute to cyberchondria. The study discusses the implication of the results and offers fruitful research directions for further studies. © ICCE 2022.All rights reserved.