scholarly journals Fear and Anxiety Caused by COVID-19 in the Iranian Society and the Influential Factors

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Bashiri ◽  
Fatemeh Dehghan ◽  
Rostam Jalali

Background: Due to the changing nature of the spread of emerging infectious diseases, such crises could cause significant fear, especially when the disease is associated with high mortality. Fear and anxiety adversely affect health. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the fear and anxiety caused by COVID-19 in the Iranian society and the influential factors in this regard. Methods: This correlational study was conducted on 458 participants who were recruited for an online survey. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire of COVID-19 fear and Beck's anxiety inventory. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 23 using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics, including t-test and multiple comparisons. Results: The prevalence of fear and anxiety was less than 20%. The correlations between the anxiety scores and fear of COVID-19 with demographic variables indicated that the COVID-19 fear scores had a weak correlation with an appeal to religion and efforts to prevent COVID-19 (P ≤ 0.05), while no correlation was observed with the other variables. In addition, the anxiety scores had weak, inverse correlations with the effort to prevent COVID-19 and satisfaction with the government’s effort (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results, the fear of COVID-19 and the subsequent anxiety is mild in the Iranian society. Low anxiety and fear caused by the disease could lead to negligence and disregarding health standards, which will increase the number of these patients in the community.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-9
Author(s):  
Farha Kiran ◽  
Umair Asghar ◽  
Saba Arif ◽  
Muhammad Arif

The Corona virus pandemic is producing significant stress and anxiety for millions of individuals all over the world. All these factors are generating death anxiety for people. This study aimed to assess death anxiety and locus of control among Pakistani population during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan from March to May 2020. An online survey was conducted using an online questionnaire. A total of 149 responses were received. Descriptive statistics was calculated for demographic variables. t-test, correlation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to test the hypotheses. Results showed statistically significant relationship between death anxiety domains and locus of control except own death and locus of control. The anxiety and apprehensions in society are globally influencing every individual to variable extents. Recent evidence indicates that people who are kept in isolation and quarantine experience substantial distress in the shape of anxiety which are likely to rise progressively during this new pandemic (COVID-19). In this study, participants showed high levels of anxiety regarding death domains and low level of control over their lives.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000942
Author(s):  
Oliver G P Lawton ◽  
Sarah A Lawton ◽  
Lisa Dikomitis ◽  
Joanne Protheroe ◽  
Joanne Smith ◽  
...  

COVID-19 has significantly impacted young people’s lives yet little is known about the COVID-19 related sources of information they access. We performed a cross-sectional survey of pupils (11–16 years) in North Staffordshire, UK. 408 (23%) pupils responded to an online survey emailed to them by their school. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Social media, accessed by 68%, played a significant role in the provision of information, despite it not being considered trustworthy. 89% felt that COVID-19 had negatively affected their education. Gaps in the provision of information on COVID-19 have been identified.


Author(s):  
Allison L. Groom ◽  
Thanh-Huyen T. Vu ◽  
Robyn L. Landry ◽  
Anshula Kesh ◽  
Joy L. Hart ◽  
...  

Vaping is popular among adolescents. Previous research has explored sources of information and influence on youth vaping, including marketing, ads, family, peers, social media, and the internet. This research endeavors to expand understanding of peer influence. Our hypothesis is that friends’ influence on teen vapers’ first electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use varies by demographic variables and awareness of ENDS advertising. In August–October 2017, youth (n = 3174) aged 13–18 completed an online survey to quantify ENDS behaviors and attitudes and were invited to participate in follow-up online research in November-December 2017 to probe qualitative context around perceptions and motivations (n = 76). This analysis focused on the ENDS users, defined as having ever tried any ENDS product, from the survey (n = 1549) and the follow-up research (n = 39). Among survey respondents, friends were the most common source of vapers’ first ENDS product (60%). Most survey respondents tried their first ENDS product while “hanging out with friends” (54%). Among follow-up research participants, the theme of socializing was also prominent. ENDS advertising and marketing through social media had a strong association with friend networks; in fact, the odds of friends as source of the first vaping experience were 2 times higher for those who had seen ENDS ads on social media compared with other types of media. The influence of friends is particularly evident among non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics/Latinos, those living in urban areas, those living in high-income households, those with higher self-esteem, and those who experiment with vaping. These findings support the premise that peer influence is a primary social influencer and reinforcer for vaping. Being included in a popular activity appears to be a strong driving force.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Fitri Trapsilawati ◽  
Nadhiya Ulhaq Priatna ◽  
Titis Wijayanto ◽  
Ari Widyanti ◽  
Utami Dyah Syafitri ◽  
...  

Abstract Investigating the underlying predictors of speeding behaviour deserves the full attention of research. This study aims to examine the effects of demographic variables on the perceived deterrent mechanisms and to predict speeding behaviour to target appropriate prevention programmes. In this study, 212 randomly selected drivers having a valid car driving licence participated in an online survey. The results revealed that demographic variables influenced drivers’ perceptions towards social and legal sanctions as well as material loss. The model revealed that two sanction-related constructs, that is, legal sanction (b = −0⋅227, P = 0⋅007) and material loss (b = −0⋅218, P = 0⋅005), as well as lax perception towards traffic accident (b = −0⋅176, P = 0⋅025), were the significant predictors of speeding behaviour. These findings suggested that prevention programmes should prioritise young and single drivers. The most effective targeted prevention programmes are highlighted accordingly based on the study results.


SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402110041
Author(s):  
Mohammad Salehi ◽  
Samaneh Gholampour

Cheating is an academically dishonest behavior about which there has been a thrust of research. However, it has not been extensively researched in an Iranian context. Therefore, the current study was conducted with 310 Iranian students. A cheating questionnaire was devised and administered to the participants. Certain demographic variables were investigated. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the obtained data. The results of the descriptive statistics revealed that cheating was common among participants, and most students did not harbor any negative attitude toward cheating or at least were neutral about it. The most common method of cheating was “letting others look at their papers while taking exams.” The most common reason for cheating was “not being ready for the exam.” As for inferential statistics, one-way analysis of variance, an independent t-test, and correlational analyses were used to test the effect and relationship of demographic variables on and between the cheating behaviors of the participants. It was found that none of the two demographic variables of gender and year level had any effect on students’ cheating behaviors. Furthermore, achievement scores and age were not significantly correlated with cheating behavior scores.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 6674
Author(s):  
Sebastian Hoffmann ◽  
Fabian Adelt ◽  
Johannes Weyer

This paper presents an agent-based model (ABM) for residential end-users, which is part of a larger, interdisciplinary co-simulation framework that helps to investigate the performance of future power distribution grids (i.e., smart grid scenarios). Different modes of governance (strong, soft and self-organization) as well as end-users’ heterogeneous behavior represent key influential factors. Feedback was implemented as a measure to foster grid-beneficial behavior, which encompasses a range of monetary and non-monetary incentives (e.g., via social comparison). The model of frame selection (MFS) serves as theoretical background for modelling end-users’ decision-making. Additionally, we conducted an online survey to ground the end-user sub-model on empirical data. Despite these empirical and theoretical foundations, the model presented should be viewed as a conceptual framework, which requires further data collection. Using an example scenario, representing a lowly populated residential area (167 households) with a high share of photovoltaic systems (30%), different modes of governance were compared with regard to their suitability for improving system stability (measured in cumulated load). Both soft and strong control were able to decrease overall fluctuations as well as the mean cumulated load (by approx. 10%, based on weekly observation). However, we argue that soft control could be sufficient and more societally desirable.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 922-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monisha Arya ◽  
Haley G. Marek ◽  
Rachel E. Marren ◽  
Vagish Hemmige ◽  
Richard L. Street ◽  
...  

Introduction. Despite national recommendations, routine opt-out HIV testing has not been widely adopted by physicians. Guided by previous research on physician barriers to HIV testing, we developed a physician-targeted video to promote routine opt-out HIV screening. The objective of this study was to evaluate this video intervention. Methods. From June to July 2016, physicians in two primary care clinics completed an online survey prior to and after watching the video. Survey items assessed acceptability of the video and HIV testing knowledge, attitudes, and intention to screen. Descriptive statistics were generated to analyze data. Results. Of the 53 participants, 90% liked or strongly liked the video. Pre- to postvideo, significant improvements were seen in the knowledge of national HIV screening recommendations (45.3% to 67.9%; p = .010) and of the proportion of unaware Houstonians living with HIV (22.6% to 75.5%; p < .001). Participant beliefs about the likelihood of patients accepting HIV testing increased from 47.2% to 84.9% pre- to postvideo ( p < .001). Intention to screen did not change; participants had high intentions pre- and postvideo. Conclusions. Our study found that a video is an acceptable HIV testing promotion medium for physicians. Our video improved physician HIV testing knowledge and attitudes, overcoming key barriers to HIV testing.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helene Schroé ◽  
Geert Crombez ◽  
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽  
Delfien Van Dyck

BACKGROUND E- and m-health interventions have gained momentum to change health behaviours such as physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB). Although these interventions show promising results in terms of behaviour change, they still suffer from high attrition rates, resulting in a lower potential and reachability. In order to reduce attrition rates in the future, there is a need to investigate the reasons why individuals stop using e- and m-health interventions. Certain demographic variables have already been related to attrition in e- and m-health interventions, however the role of psychosocial determinants of behaviour change as predictors of attrition has not yet been fully explored. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine when, which and why users stop using an e- and m-health intervention. In particular, we aimed to investigate whether psychosocial determinants of behaviour change were predictors for attrition. METHODS The sample consisted of 473 healthy adults who participated in the e-and m-health intervention ‘MyPlan 2.0’ to promote PA or reduce SB. The intervention was developed using the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model, which describes psychosocial determinants that guide individuals in changing their behaviour. If participants stopped with the intervention, a questionnaire with eight question concerning attrition was sent by email. To analyze when users stopped using the intervention, descriptive statistics were used per part of the intervention (including pre- and post-test measurements, and 5 website sessions). To analyze which users stopped using the intervention, demographic variables, behavioural status and HAPA-based psychosocial determinants at pre-test measurement were investigated as potential predictors of attrition using logistic regression models. To analyze why users stopped using the intervention, descriptive statistics of answers to the attrition related questionnaire were used. RESULTS The study demonstrated that 227 of the 473 (47,9%) participants stopped using the intervention, and drop out occurred mainly in the beginning of the intervention. The results seem to indicate that gender and participants’ scores on the psychosocial determinants action planning, coping planning and self-monitoring were predictors of first session, third session and/or whole intervention completion. The most endorsed reasons to stop with the intervention were the time-consuming nature of questionnaires, not having time, dissatisfaction with the content of the intervention, technical problems, already meeting the guidelines for PA/SB, and to a lesser extent the experience of medical/emotional problems. CONCLUSIONS This study provides some directions for future studies. To decrease attrition, it will be important to personalise interventions on different levels, questionnaires (either for research purposes or tailoring) should be kept to a minimum especially in the beginning of interventions by for example using objective monitoring devices, and technical aspects of e-and m-health interventions should be thoroughly tested in advance.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Saeed Badghish

<p>This study examines the priority of values affecting the behaviour of local consumers in the Saudi Arabian hospitality industry. The sample consists of Saudi nationals who have stayed in a hotel in Saudi Arabia. A review of the literature provides studies of values and demographic factors that could lead to differences in behaviour between gender (male vs female) and education (educated vs less-educated). There is currently little understanding of whether, or how, Saudis from different socio-cultural environments, represented in this study with different demographic profiles, differ in their values. This study considers whether there are any such differences linked to these demographic differences. The research uses a quantitative online survey based on established constructs of Kahle’s List of Values. Data were analysed in SPSS using descriptive statistics, independent samples <em>t</em>-tests, and regression analysis. This quantitative study finds that there are significant differences in the value of excitement, warm relationships with others, and fun and enjoyment were noted according to education level; also the value of self-fulfillment according to gender.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 499-510
Author(s):  
Hermanto Hermanto ◽  
Ni Gusti Made Rai ◽  
Arfan Fahmi

The implementation of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic may affect students’ learning attitude and motivation to some extent. This paper aims to describe the university students’ opinions about learning attitude and motivation while studying from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. A non-experimental research design was used with an exploratory quantitative method. A total of 238 respondents participated in the online survey from April 22 to 29, 2020. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the collected data by using SPSS 23. The results showed that 52.5% (n = 125) of the respondent did not enjoy studying from home and 91.5% (n = 218) did not gain as much knowledge as in the traditional mode, although they still had a higher motivation to learn and had a better relationship with their family members. Interesting materials and enjoyable teaching methodology and interaction are therefore suggested.    Keywords: Covid-19; studying from home; online learning attitude; learning motivation


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document