Specific Pandemic-Related Worries Predict Higher Attention-Related Errors and Negative Affect Independent of Trait Anxiety in UK-Based Students.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many individuals experiencing increased symptoms of anxiety. We predict that this increase may be underpinned by pandemic-related worry (PRW), characterised by repetitive negative thinking about pandemic-specific outcomes; and that this relationship is mediated through reduced attentional capacity required to regulate negative affect.

Methods

We developed a novel scale to measure the contents of PRW in an initial sample of 255 participants, and explored its relationship with cognitive functioning and negative affect in a sample of 382 UK-based university students, whilst controlling for recalled pre-pandemic trait anxiety.

Results

A five-factor model of PRW was identified, with factors reflecting worry about decline in

SUBMITTER: Brown CRH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9584227 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature