Comparison of anxiety levels of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients, individuals under quarantine, and individuals in society

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to compare the anxiety levels of COVID‐19 patients, individuals under quarantine, and healthy individuals in society. Design and Methods This cross‐sectional study was conducted from May 25, 2020 to June 25, 2020 in a city located in the northwest of Turkey. The data were collected using a personal information form, the Beck Anxiety Scale, administered in face‐to‐face interviews, and online questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U , and logistic regression analyses. Findings The anxiety level of individuals under quarantine (Median: min–max = 1: 0–55) was significantly lower statistically compared to that of the rest of the society (Median: min–max = 6: 0–63) and hospitalized COVID‐19 patients (Median: min–max = 5: 0–42) ( p = 0.0001). Female gender, being 61 years of age and older, having psychiatric and chronic illnesses, and experiencing disrupted sleep patterns were determined to be the factors associated with high levels of anxiety. Practice Implications This study found that society in general and hospitalized COVID‐19 patients had high anxiety levels. The study results can be useful for creating training and population‐based screening programs to control the anxiety of individuals under quarantine, hospitalized COVID‐19 patients, and the rest of the society during the pandemic. Additionally, the finding from this study on groups at risk for anxiety will provide important data for future research on this subject and for the planning of health services offered to these groups.

Relationship between social exclusion and anxiety in older people during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…; and in those who had been diagnosed with COVID‐19 in the study conducted by Tokur Kesgin et al . The findings of this study are parallel with the findings reported in these studies 18,20–22 …”

“…A study in the literature also reported that individuals with higher education levels experienced higher anxiety levels. 18 The study conducted by Cybulski et al 19 reported no significant relationships between older individuals' anxiety and education level.…”

“…The geriatric anxiety level of older individuals was found to be significantly higher in those who had an education level of university and above, were married, lived with their spouse and children, worked, had a good income, lived in urban areas, did not use an assistive device, were dependent in their daily activities, did not have a chronic disease, perceived their health condition as good, and did exercises regularly ( P < 0.05). A study in the literature also reported that individuals with higher education levels experienced higher anxiety levels 18 . The study conducted by Cybulski et al 19 .…”

“…Studies conducted with different age groups reported higher anxiety mean scores of individuals who were married and lived with their spouse and children. 18 The cause of higher anxiety levels of individuals who lived with their spouse and children could be associated with the anxiety experienced due to the probability of the virus infecting their spouse and children.…”

“…Anxiety levels were found to be higher in people who worked, had a good income and exercised regularly in the study conducted by Nagasu et al 20 ; in those who lived in urban areas in the study conducted by Shevlin et al 21 ; in those who were dependent in their daily activities in the study conducted by Chen et al 22 ; and in those who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the study conducted by Tokur Kesgin et al The findings of this study are parallel with the findings reported in these studies. 18,[20][21][22] Studies showed that anxiety was generally higher in older individuals who had a chronic disease and perceived their health condition as bad. 23 This result of the present study is not in line with the literature.…”