ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted communities worldwide. Behavioral health providers are at the forefront providing services and are thus vulnerable to psychological sequalae. This study hypothesizes that the fear of COVID-19 predicts depression and anxiety among these providers. METHODS: A questionnaire was delivered to community behavioral health providers to assess fear of COVID-19 using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). Anxiety and depression were assessed using Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2) scale and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2). Demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the relationship between explanatory variables and outcomes was assessed using univariate generalized linear models and 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: FCV-19S scores were significantly higher among persons who smoked (z = 2.4, P < 0.05) or had a predisposing health condition. The multivariate models showed significant association with fear of COVID-19 and having a predisposing health condition, belonging to an ethnic minority group, not been diagnosed positive, and having a high total anxiety score. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that 50% of the behavioral health providers screened had poor mental health owing to multiple factors identified. Hence, it is essential to strengthen their support to better mitigate situations contributing to fear.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Fear , Humans , COVID-19/psychology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Male , Female , Fear/psychology , Adult , Surveys and Questionnaires , Middle Aged , Anxiety/psychology , Depression/psychology , Depression/epidemiology , Depression/etiology , Mental Health/statistics & numerical data , Health Personnel/psychology , Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data , SARS-CoV-2 , PandemicsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Fear of COVID-19 may differ for individuals with compromised health and those with unhealthy behaviors, placing them at greater risk. Based on previous analysis of academic medical center faculty and staff, the authors predicted that workers who were smokers/previous smokers would express the greater fear of COVID-19 relative to nonsmokers. METHODS: The present study used the Fear of COVID-19 Scale to assess fear among nonsmokers (n = 1,489) and smokers/previous smokers (n = 272) from a larger population of academic medical center members (N = 1,761). This study assessed nonsmokers' and smokers/previous smokers' demographic and background variables on Fear of COVID-19 scores. RESULTS: In this academic community, smokers/previous smokers had higher fear of COVID-19 scores than did nonsmokers (p < 0.05). Smokers/previous smokers differed from nonsmokers on three Fear of COVID-19 scale items (most afraid of COVID-19, fear of losing life, and physiological fear of COVID-19). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a better understanding of how fear of COVID-19 can differ based on one's smoking status. These findings inform public health smoking cessation efforts aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality, both in response and secondary to COVID-19 exposure.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Smokers , Humans , Non-Smokers , Fear , Health PromotionABSTRACT
Background: Differing expressions of the fear of COVID-19 between men and women can potentially increase both immediate and long-term physical health risks. We predicted that women students would express greater fear of COVID-19. Methods: We used an Internet-delivered Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) to assess fear among men (n = 100) and women (n = 272) from a larger population of academic medical center members (n = 1761). Sex differences in emotional and physical symptoms were assessed as subcategories within fear scores. Results: Women reported greater fear of COVID-19 than men (p < 0.001). Women reported greater emotional fear (p < 0.001) on specific scale items (thinking of COVID-19, watching news stories about COVID-19, and losing sleep due to fear of contracting COVID-19). Discussion/Conclusions: These results provide a better understanding of how fear of COVID-19 can differ based on sex and how that fear may be expressed differently through emotional and physical symptoms. This information will inform academic health centers of COVID-19 prevention and management policies that may include a gender-specific focus.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Students, Medical , COVID-19/epidemiology , Emotions , Fear/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Sex CharacteristicsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Fear of COVID-19 may differ for individuals with compromised health and those with unhealthy behaviors, placing them at greater risk. Based on previous analysis of academic medical center faculty and staff, the authors predicted that workers who were smokers/previous smokers would express the greater fear of COVID-19 relative to nonsmokers. METHODS: The present study used the Fear of COVID-19 Scale to assess fear among nonsmokers (n = 1,489) and smokers/previous smokers (n = 272) from a larger population of academic medical center members (N = 1,761). This study assessed nonsmokers' and smokers/previous smokers' demographic and background variables on Fear of COVID-19 scores. RESULTS: In this academic community, smokers/previous smokers had higher fear of COVID-19 scores than did nonsmokers (p < 0.05). Smokers/previous smokers differed from nonsmokers on three Fear of COVID-19 scale items (most afraid of COVID-19, fear of losing life, and physiological fear of COVID-19). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a better understanding of how fear of COVID-19 can differ based on one's smoking status. These findings inform public health smoking cessation efforts aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality, both in response and secondary to COVID-19 exposure.