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Uncertainty stress, and its impact on disease fear and prevention behaviors during the COVID-19 epidemic in China: A panel study
Preprint
in English
| medRxiv
| ID: ppmedrxiv-20139626
Journal article
A scientific journal published article is available and is probably based on this preprint. It has been identified through a machine matching algorithm, human confirmation is still pending.
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A scientific journal published article is available and is probably based on this preprint. It has been identified through a machine matching algorithm, human confirmation is still pending.
See journal article
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo examine changing trends of uncertainty stress, and its impact on disease fear and prevention behaviors during the Chinese COVID-19 epidemic using a prospective observational study. MethodsThe study employed a longitudinal design. Participants were recruited for an online panel survey from chat groups on social media platforms. There were 5 waves of interviews. Information on uncertainty stress and related variables were collected via the online survey. Descriptive statistics and the GIM program were used for data analysis. ResultsParticipants numbered 150 for the linkable baseline survey and 102 (68%) for the final survey. Uncertainty stress({beta} -0.047, S.E 0.118, p>0.05) did not show a statistically significant temporal change trend over the observation period. Disease fear manifested a statistically significant downwards trend ({beta} -0.342, S.E 0.157, p<0.05), and prevention behaviors indicated an upwards trend ({beta} 0.048, S.E 0.021, p<0.05) during the observation period. Uncertainty stress was positively associated with disease fear ({beta} 0.45046, S.E 0.05964, p<0.0001), and negatively associated with self-efficacy ({beta} -0.6698, S.E 0.01035, p<0.0001), and prevention behaviors ({beta}-0.02029, S.E 0.00876, p 0.0209). ConclusionThis study yielded new information about uncertainty stress among Chinese people during the COVID-19 epidemic. Policy changes and public education are essential for minimizing the negative effects of uncertainty stress in disease prevention.
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Full text:
Available
Collection:
Preprints
Database:
medRxiv
Type of study:
Experimental_studies
/
Observational study
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Prognostic study
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Rct
Language:
English
Year:
2020
Document type:
Preprint