Anxiety sensitivity elevates the risk of mental health problems in employees with higher probability of contacting COVID-19 at work.

ABSTRACT: Individuals with increased risk of being in contact with COVID-19 cases at work have been reported to suffer from higher fear of infection and associated mental health problems. The present study examines whether this risk is further increased by higher anxiety sensitivity (AS, i.e., fear of bodily symptoms such as breathlessness, which also are core symptoms of COVID-19) that is also known to be associated with an increased risk of psychopathology. In spring 2020, 783 German health care and social workers participated in a cross-sectional online-survey, in which anxiety sensitivity, depression, anxiety, health anxiety, fear of a COVID-19 infection as well as panic symptoms were assessed. Of these participants, 28.7% affirmed contact with COVID-19 cases, which was associated with greater f

SUBMITTER: Autenrieth LK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9877319 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature