Dataset Information

Association Between Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scores and Online Activity Among US Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evidence from past pandemics suggests that fear, uncertainty, and loss of control during large-scale public health crises may lead to increased pandemic-related information seeking, particularly among persons predisposed to high anxiety. In such groups, a greater consumption of information pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic may increase anxiety.

Objective

In this study, we examine the association between online activity and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) scores in the United States.

Methods

We recruited participants for an online survey through advertisements on various platforms such as Google, Facebook, and Reddit. A total of 406 adult US participants with moderate to severe (≥10) GAD-7 scores met the inclusion criteria and completed the survey. Anxiety levels measured using the GAD-7 scale formed our primary outcome. Our key independent variables were average daily time spent online and average daily time spent online searching about COVID-19 within the past 14 days. We used as controls potential confounders of the relation between our key independent variables and GAD-7 scores, namely, sleep quality, the COVID-19 Fear Inventory scale, binge drinking, substance use, prescription drug abuse, and sociodemographic attributes.

Results

Linear multivariate regression analyses showed that GAD-7 scores were higher among those who spent >4 hours online (per day) searching for information about COVID-19 (coefficient 1.29, P=.002), controlling for all other covariates. The total time spent online was not statistically associated with GAD-7 scores.

Conclusions

Results from this study indicate that limiting pandemic-related online information seeking may aid anxiety management in our study population.

SUBMITTER: Singh P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7485999 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Association Between Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scores and Online Activity Among US Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Singh Parvati P Cumberland William G WG Ugarte Dominic D Bruckner Tim-Allen TA Young Sean D SD

Journal of medical Internet research 20200910 9

<h4>Background</h4>Evidence from past pandemics suggests that fear, uncertainty, and loss of control during large-scale public health crises may lead to increased pandemic-related information seeking, particularly among persons predisposed to high anxiety. In such groups, a greater consumption of information pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic may increase anxiety.<h4>Objective</h4>In this study, we examine the association between online activity and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) scores ...[more]

PMID: 32841152

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Project description:ImportanceGeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD) is poorly understood compared with other anxiety disorders, and debates persist about the seriousness of this disorder. Few data exist on GAD outside a small number of affluent, industrialized nations. No population-based data exist on GAD as it is currently defined in DSM-5.ObjectiveTo provide the first epidemiologic data on DSM-5 GAD and explore cross-national differences in its prevalence, course, correlates, and impact.Design, setting, and participantsData come from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey Initiative. Cross-sectional general population surveys were carried out in 26 countries using a consistent research protocol and assessment instrument. A total of 147 261 adults from representative household samples were interviewed face-to-face in the community. The surveys were conducted between 2001 and 2012. Data analysis was performed from July 22, 2015, to December 12, 2016.Main outcomes and measuresThe Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to assess GAD along with comorbid disorders, role impairment, and help seeking.ResultsRespondents were 147 261 adults aged 18 to 99 years. The surveys had a weighted mean response rate of 69.5%. Across surveys, DSM-5 GAD had a combined lifetime prevalence (SE) of 3.7% (0.1%), 12-month prevalence of 1.8% (0.1%), and 30-day prevalence of 0.8% (0). Prevalence estimates varied widely across countries, with lifetime prevalence highest in high-income countries (5.0% [0.1%]), lower in middle-income countries (2.8% [0.1%]), and lowest in low-income countries (1.6% [0.1%]). Generalized anxiety disorder typically begins in adulthood and persists over time, although onset is later and clinical course is more persistent in lower-income countries. Lifetime comorbidity is high (81.9% [0.7%]), particularly with mood (63.0% [0.9%]) and other anxiety (51.7% [0.9%]) disorders. Severe role impairment is common across life domains (50.6% [1.2%]), particularly in high-income countries. Treatment is sought by approximately half of affected individuals (49.2% [1.2%]), especially those with severe role impairment (59.4% [1.8%]) or comorbid disorders (55.8% [1.4%]) and those living in high-income countries (59.0% [1.3%]).Conclusions and relevanceThe findings of this study show that DSM-5 GAD is more prevalent than DSM-IV GAD and is associated with substantial role impairment. The disorder is especially common and impairing in high-income countries despite a negative association between GAD and socioeconomic status within countries. These results underscore the public health significance of GAD across the globe while uncovering cross-national differences in prevalence, course, and impairment that require further investigation.

Project description:BackgroundAnxiety is the state of being worried and uneasy about anything that happens either now or in the future. It is unclear what exactly causes generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). According to some research, a variety of variables, including heredity, differences in brain chemistry, and environmental influences, could be involved. After the Sudanese army battle began in 2023, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder among Sudanese teenagers.MethodsA cross-sectional, community-based study was carried out among all Sudanese adolescents between 13 and 18 years old who were living in Sudan at the start of the conflict by using a self-administered questionnaire under the guidance of parents, if necessary. The questionnaire was adapted from the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 checklist for the assessment of GAD symptoms. The questionnaire was translated into Arabic by expert translators, and its validity and reliability were confirmed. Data were analyzed and presented in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics.ResultsAmong the 855 participants, the mean age was 16.5 years, 66.8 % were female, and 50.8 % had generalized anxiety disorder. There was a significant positive relationship between GAD and age, sex, current residency, and traumatic events exposure. With participants aged 17-18 years old having 82 % higher odds of experiencing GAD in comparison with the reference age group (OR = 1.8 (95 % CI [1.2, 2.7])). Furthermore, females were found to have 92 % higher odds for GAD as compared with men (OR = 1.9 (95 % CI [1.4, 2.6])). Whereas internally displaced participants showed 205 % higher odds of GAD in comparison to those who had not been in a war zone (OR = 3.1 (95 % CI [2.11, 4.4])). In addition, experiencing a traumatic event during the war increases the odds of having GAD by 126 % in comparison to those who did not experience it (OR = 2.3 (95 % CI [1.7, 3.1])).ConclusionGAD was highly prevalent among the Sudanese adolescents included in the present study. The findings will help the government to provide proper mental health interventions for affected people.

Dataset Information

Association Between Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scores and Online Activity Among US Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Association Between Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scores and Online Activity Among US Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Similar Datasets

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