Fear of covid-19 in the chilean population: predictors and future direction

Resumen

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated an enormous psychological impact, arousing emotions of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the predictors of fear of COVID-19 in the Chilean population, replicating the study by Mertens et al. (2020). Methods: An online survey was conducted with 276 participants over 18 years of age residing in Chile. Fear of COVID-19, intolerance to uncertainty, worry, health anxiety, media exposure, general health, risk control, and risk to loved ones were assessed as possible predictors. Results: Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and perceived risk to loved ones were associated with increased fear of COVID-19, while media exposure (other sources) and general health were associated with decreased fear of COVID-19. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to promote measures that improve risk communication based on reliable and truthful information to reduce uncertainty and the mental health impact of the pandemic.

Key words: COVID-19, fear, uncertainty, mental health.

RESUMEN

La pandemia por COVID-19 ha causado un impacto psicológico, despertando emociones de miedo, ansiedad e incertidumbre. Nuestro estudio investigó factores predictores del miedo al COVID-19 en la población chilena, replicando el estudio de Mertens et al. (2020). Método: Encuesta online con 276 participantes mayores de 18 años en Chile. Se evaluó miedo al COVID-19, intolerancia a la incertidumbre, preocupación, ansiedad por la salud, exposición a los medios, salud general, control de riesgo y riesgo para los seres queridos como posibles predictores. Resultados: Intolerancia a la incertidumbre (IU), exposición a medios (periódicos) y riesgo percibido para los seres queridos se asociaron con miedo al COVID-19 aumentado, mientras que exposición a medios (otras fuentes) y salud general se asociaron a miedo al COVID-19 disminuido. Conclusiones: Urge promover medidas que mejoren la comunicación de riesgo, basada en información confiable, para reducir la incertidumbre y el impacto en la salud mental durante la pandemia.

Palabras clave: COVID-19, miedo, incertidumbre, salud mental.