Anxiety and distress among the first community quarantined in the U.S due to COVID-19: Psychological implications for the unfolding crisis

Abstract

Purpose: This study assesses distress/anxiety and predictors of distress/anxiety associated with quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure among the first quarantined community in the US, and to identify potential areas of intervention.Design: An anonymous survey was distributed via community organization distribution lists to approximately 1250 constituents under a quarantine directive.Setting: Members of the first community in the NYC area under quarantine orders due to the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak.Intervention: We sought to uncover the most salient predictors of distress/anxiety in order to recommend specific areas for effective intervention to reduce distressMeasures: We measured distress by using the Subjective Units of Distress Scale and anxiety with the Beck Anxiety Inventory. A variety of psychosocial predictors relevant to the current crisis were explored. Results: 303 individuals responded within 48 hours of survey distribution. Mean levels of distress in the sample were heightened and sustained, with 69% reporting moderate to severe distress. Modifiable behavioral factors, specifically with regard to media exposure and sleep quality, predicted the largest percentage of variance in the sample (41.9%, F (3, 264) = 40.7, R = 0.65, p < .001).Conclusion: Distress levels were markedly elevated among those in quarantine. The highest percentage of distress/anxiety variance was accounted for by modifiable factors amenable to behavioral and psychological interventions, including promoting healthy sleep and curtailing media use. Access to professional mental health care as well as behavioral interventions should be prioritized.

COVID-19: Common Constructions of the Pandemic and Their Implications

“…These involve the dissemination of knowledge, sometimes to reassure ourselves and sometimes to share our fear with other people. Rosen et al (2020) pointed out that higher levels of anxiety among people during quarantine are predicted by the time spent reading and discussing Scholars have named this obsessive search for information an "infodemic" (Gao et al, 2020). This refers to a kaleidoscope of data created in order to give meaning to something that appears to be outside our understanding.…”

Poor eating habits and predictors of weight gain during the COVID-19 quarantine measures in Kuwait: a cross sectional study

“…The concept of quarantine is practically new for the general public, and has influenced social, economic and psychological threads of our life 1,2 . Due to changes in our habits including socializing, physical work, eating and entertainment, it is natural that level of anxiety and depression is on the rise among people in quarantine 3 . The psychological impact of quarantine has also been associated with post-traumatic stress, confusion and aggression 1 .…”

Poor Eating Habits and Predictors of Weight Gain During the COVID-19 Quarantine Measures in Kuwait: A Cross Sectional Study

“…The concept of quarantine is practically new for the general public, which has in uenced social, economic and psychological threads of our life [1,2]. Particularly due to changes in our habits including socializing, physical work, eating and entertainment, it is but natural that level of anxiety and depression is on rise among people in quarantine [3]. The psychological impact of quarantine has also been associated with post-traumatic stress, confusion and aggression [1].…”