Mediating Effect of Viral Anxiety and Perceived Benefits of Physical Distancing on Adherence to Distancing Among High School Students Amid COVID-19

Perception of recurrence risk in patients with IgG4-related disease: a descriptive phenomenological study

Objective

About 40% of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) patients face recurrence, severely impacting their quality of life. We aimed to explore the characteristics of the perception of recurrence risk in patients with IgG4-RD.

Methods

A qualitative study design with a descriptive phenomenological approach was used. Fourteen patients with IgG4-RD were recruited via purposive sampling, including six patients with first onset and eight patients experiencing recurrence. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, and transcripts were analysed by two independent researchers using Colaizzi's descriptive analysis framework. The COREQ checklist was followed.

Results

Data analysis identified nine subthemes falling into four themes: (a) perception of differential susceptibility to recurrence; (b) perception of crucial recurrence risk factors; (c) perception of recurrence warning signs and medical behaviours; (d) perception of multiple recurrence outcomes. We found that susceptibility perception formed the basis of recurrence risk perception. For patients with first onset, the main manifestations were misconception or evasion of the risk of recurrence, whereas patients experienced recurrence demonstrated a clear perception of recurrence risk and feelings of fear. Based on this, other themes emerged.

Conclusions

Since the absence of accurate knowledge related to recurrence, the perception of recurrence risk in patients with IgG4-RD primarily manifested as misconception, evasion or feeling fear. Ultimately, they couldn't take appropriate actions to prevent recurrence. Healthcare professionals should develop comprehensive interventions for patients with IgG4-RD, integrating health education, disease consultation and psychological support, with the aim of enhancing awareness of recurrence risk and empowering them to manage their conditions in the long term.

The Effect of Psychological Inflexibility on Social-Distancing Phobia Mediated by Preoccupation With Sleep and Intolerance of Uncertainty in the Elderly Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore whether psychological inflexibility in the elderly population is related to social-distancing phobia, and examine whether their viral anxiety, preoccupation with sleep, or intolerance of uncertainty may mediate the relationship.

METHODS

Among the elderly population aged ≥65 in Korea, we conducted an anonymous online survey during January and February 2023. We collected the responses of 300 participants, collected demographic information, and symptoms using rating scales such as the Social-Distancing Phobia scale, Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 items (SAVE-6), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 (IUS-12), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale (GSES).

RESULTS

Social-distancing phobia was expected by the SAVE-6 (β=0.34, p<0.001), IUS-12 (β=0.18, p=0.003), and GSES (β=0.18, p= 0.001) in the linear regression analysis. In the mediation analysis, psychological inflexibility did not directly influence social-distancing phobia. However, viral anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, or preoccupation with sleep completely mediated the influence of psychological inflexibility on social-distancing phobia among elderly population.

CONCLUSION

The management of psychological inflexibility, intolerance of uncertainty, or preoccupation with sleep needs to be considered when designing interventions to address social-distancing phobia in elderly populations in future pandemics.