Predictors of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland

• Published in: Personality and individual differences Vol. 170; p. 110419
• Main Authors: Malesza, Marta, Kaczmarek, Magdalena Claudia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.02.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Anxiety; Beliefs; Chronic illnesses; Cohabitation; Coronavirus; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Demography; Information sources; Pandemics; Perceptions; Poland; Risk behavior; Risk perception; Poland; COVID-19; Poland; Perceptions; Anxiety; Coronavirus; Beliefs
• ISSN: 0191-8869; 1873-3549; 0191-8869
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2020.110419

A coronavirus pandemic hit the world and Poland was no exception. The present research sought to investigate different factors associated with coronavirus-related anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak in Poland. More specifically, COVID-19–related risk perceptions, beliefs, precautionary actions, information sources, and anxiety level were studied on general population (N = 1069) in Poland between March 29th and April 17th 2020. Multiple regression was used to examine the significant predictions of anxiety. Data revealed that anxiety in response to the COVID-19 was common in the sample. Major predictors of higher anxiety related to the pandemic outbreak included demographic factors, like being female, being older, being married or cohabiting, and having children. Additionally, greater anxiety was reported among people who reported chronic illnesses and generally worse health condition. From COVID-19 related factors, higher frequency of recommended protective behaviors, greater perceived risk of infection, greater likelihood of contacting COVID-19 during the current outbreak, greater amounts of information about COVID-19 received from various sources, and very little or lack of belief that degree of catching COVID-19 depends on one's own behavior predicted greater anxiety among individuals. •Factors associated with coronavirus-related anxiety were examined.•Multiple regression was used to examine the significant predictions of anxiety.•Anxiety in response to the COVID-19 was common in the sample.•Predictors of anxiety were demographic factors and COVID-19 related factors.