Effect of Quarantine and Trait-Anxiety on Affect and Decision Making

Abstract

Our study seeks to provide insight on the expression of trait anxiety on momentary trait anxiety by understanding how quarantine-related constraints, mainly stemming from social deprivation, impact mood and decision making in young adults returning to college campus when COVID case load was reduced. Furthermore, this study provides the opportunity to examine whether the removal of such constraints post-quarantine can alter emotional well-being and reward-based decision making; and, if the effect of social constraints on mood or the recovery post release is impacted by trait anxiety. To this end, we carried out a 10-day long ecological momentary assessment (EMA) based study, during and post quarantine period, which assessed affect, happiness, sleep quality, anxiety and explore/exploit decision making using a previously validated patch foraging game.