Yoon B, Hong J, Chung S. Viral Anxiety, Reassurance-Seeking Behavior, and Depression Mediate the Influence of Dysfunctional Self-Focus on Preoccupation With COVID-19 Among Infected Cases.
Psychiatry Investig 2024;
21:897-904. [PMID:
39086165 PMCID:
PMC11321867 DOI:
10.30773/pi.2024.0097]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the pervasive threat of infection has heightened public and individual health concerns. In the context of instability, although the dysfunctional aspect of self-focus was prominent, preoccupation with viral infection was greater. This study explored the applicability of a cognitive-behavioral model of hypochondriasis to individuals infected with COVID-19 and assessed whether dysfunctional self-focus were associated with the development of preoccupation.
METHODS
An anonymous online survey was conducted via a professional survey platform in December 2022. Participants' clinical characteristics and responses to rating scales were collected, including Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS), Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS), Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemic-6 items (SAVE-6), Patient Health Questionnaire-2 items (PHQ-2), and Dysfunctional Self-focus Attributes Scale (DSAS).
RESULTS
Among the 265 participants, preoccupation with COVID-19 was predicted using CRBS (β=0.60, p<0.001), SAVE-6 (β=0.20, p=0.007), and PHQ-2 (β=0.13, p<0.001) scores. Mediation analysis revealed that viral anxiety influenced this COVID-19 preoccupation, with the relationship mediated by coronavirus reassurance-seeking behavior. Another analysis indicated that dysfunctional self-focus had a significant total effect on preoccupation with COVID-19. However, its direct impact was statistically insignificant, with the association primarily influenced by three mediating factors: viral anxiety, depression, and reassurance-seeking behavior.
CONCLUSION
Preoccupation with coronavirus is influenced by viral anxiety, depression, and reassurance-seeking behavior. Two mediation analyses showed that the application of the cognitive-behavioral model of hypochondriasis is feasible among COVID-19-infected cases and the association of dysfunctional self-focus with mediating factors. This finding highlights the need for personalized psychological support in managing COVID-19 cases.
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