Association between health anxiety dimensions and preventive behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among Japanese healthcare workers.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Health anxiety (HA), defined as excessive worry about having a serious medical condition, may affect preventive behaviors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We examined the distinct role of two dimensions of HA-perceived likelihood (probability dimension) and awfulness of illness (awfulness dimension)-in self-protection, as reflected in preventive behaviors during the pandemic.

Methods

Participants comprised 657 healthcare workers. Data were collected between February 24 and 26, 2021. The Short Health Anxiety Inventory determined the HA dimensions. Adherence to the government's recommendations for COVID-19 preventive behaviors was self-rated. An independent association between each HA dimension and participants' adherence to the recommendation

SUBMITTER: Nagao K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10685365 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature