Background: The COVID-19 crisis has changed the conditions of many all over the globe. One negative consequence of the ongoing pandemic is anxiety brought about by uncertainty and the COVID-19 disease. Increased anxiety is a potential risk factor for wellbeing at work. This study investigated psychological, situational, and socio-demographic predictors of COVID-19 anxiety using longitudinal data. Methods: A nationally representative sample of Finnish workers (N = 1308) was collected before and during the COVID-19 crisis. Eighty percent of the participants responded to the follow-up study (N = 1044). COVID-19 anxiety was measured with a modified Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Psychological and situational predictors included perceived loneliness, psychological distress, technostress, personality, social support received from the work community, and remote working. A number of socio-demographic factors were also investigated. Results: Perceived loneliness, psychological distress, technostress, and neuroticism were identified as robust psychological predictors of COVID-19 anxiety. Increase in psychological distress and technostress during the COVID-19 crisis predicted higher COVID-19 anxiety. A recent change in their field of work and decreased social support from work communities predicted COVID-19 anxiety. Women and young people experienced higher anxiety. Conclusions: Different factors explain workers' COVID-19 anxiety. Increased anxiety can disrupt wellbeing at work, emphasizing the organizations' role in maintaining an inclusive and caring work culture and providing technical and psychological support to workers during crisis.
Background: The COVID-19 crisis has changed the conditions of many all over the globe. One negative consequence of the ongoing pandemic is anxiety brought about by uncertainty and the COVID-19 disease. Increased anxiety is a potential risk factor for wellbeing at work. This study investigated psychological, situational, and socio-demographic predictors of COVID-19 anxiety using longitudinal data. Methods: A nationally representative sample of Finnish workers (N = 1308) was collected before and during the COVID-19 crisis. Eighty percent of the participants responded to the follow-up study (N = 1044). COVID-19 anxiety was measured with a modified Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Psychological and situational predictors included perceived loneliness, psychological distress, technostress, personality, social support received from the work community, and remote working. A number of socio-demographic factors were also investigated. Results: Perceived loneliness, psychological distress, technostress, and neuroticism were identified as robust psychological predictors of COVID-19 anxiety. Increase in psychological distress and technostress during the COVID-19 crisis predicted higher COVID-19 anxiety. A recent change in their field of work and decreased social support from work communities predicted COVID-19 anxiety. Women and young people experienced higher anxiety. Conclusions: Different factors explain workers' COVID-19 anxiety. Increased anxiety can disrupt wellbeing at work, emphasizing the organizations' role in maintaining an inclusive and caring work culture and providing technical and psychological support to workers during crisis.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; anxiety; loneliness; mental health; personality; stress; work
Authors: Hanna Tiirinki; Liina-Kaisa Tynkkynen; Markus Sovala; Salla Atkins; Meri Koivusalo; Pauli Rautiainen; Vesa Jormanainen; Ilmo Keskimäki Journal: Health Policy Technol Date: 2020-08-27
Authors: Bradley A Evanoff; Jaime R Strickland; Ann Marie Dale; Lisa Hayibor; Emily Page; Jennifer G Duncan; Thomas Kannampallil; Diana L Gray Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2020-08-25 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa; Elżbieta Szczepańska; Mateusz Grajek; Beata Całyniuk; Wiktoria Staśkiewicz Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2022-01-27
Authors: Anthony A Olashore; Keneilwe Molebatsi; Otsetswe Musindo; Kagiso Bojosi; Isaac Obadia; Onkabetse Julia Molefe-Baikai; Stephane Tshitenge; Philip Opondo Journal: SAGE Open Med Date: 2022-03-21