Understanding the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures: An empirical model of stress.

ABSTRACT: Epidemics such as COVID-19 and corresponding containment measures are assumed to cause psychological stress. In a survey during the lockdown in Switzerland (n = 1565), we found substantially increased levels of stress in the population. In particular, individuals who did not agree with the containment measures, as well as those who saw nothing positive in the crisis, experienced high levels of stress. In contrast, individuals who are part of a risk group or who are working in healthcare or in essential shops experienced similar stress levels as the general public. The psychological mechanisms that determine stress, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures, are not yet clear. Thus, we conducted a path analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms th

SUBMITTER: Wissmath B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8320973 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature