Health anxiety during the early phases of COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey and its relationship with postpandemic attitudes, hopelessness, and psychological resilience

Ozlem Kazan Kızılkurt; Ahmet Yılmaz; Cemal Onur Noyan; Nesrin Dilbaz

doi:10.1111/ppc.12646

Health anxiety during the early phases of COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey and its relationship with postpandemic attitudes, hopelessness, and psychological resilience

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021 Jan;57(1):399-407. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12646. Epub 2020 Oct 19.

Authors

Ozlem Kazan Kızılkurt¹, Ahmet Yılmaz¹, Cemal Onur Noyan¹, Nesrin Dilbaz¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul Neuropsychiatry Hospital, Uskudar University, Istanbul, Turkey.

PMID: 33073870
DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12646

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate health anxiety-related factors in the early stages of pandemic in Turkey.

Design and methods: This study included 1046 participants who responded to the online survey anonymously between 28 March and 04 April 2020.

Findings: Demographic data, postpandemic attitudes towards the elderly and precaution-taking behaviors were health anxiety-related factors. The main predictors of the health anxiety were the level of hopelessness, perception of self, time spent on social media, and following COVID-19 pandemic-related news.

Practice implications: The results of this study are important in terms of understanding the health anxiety during the pandemic and providing data support for the proper interventions.

Keywords: COVİD-19; coronavirus; health anxiety; hopelessness; resilience.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Anxiety / psychology*
Attitude*
COVID-19*
Female
Health Behavior
Hope*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Resilience, Psychological*
SARS-CoV-2
Self Concept*
Social Media*
Time Factors
Turkey
Young Adult