Consequences of information covering the COVID-19 pandemic from the point of view of Terror Management Theory
01 Jan 2021-Vol. 273, pp 11012
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe and explain individual psychological and social phenomena from the point of view of actualizing thanatic issues during the COVID-19 pandemic and its information coverage.
Abstract: The article is devoted to the description and explanation of individual psychological and social phenomena from the point of view of actualizing thanatic issues during the COVID-19 pandemic and its information coverage. The relevance of the study is due to the situation of the spread of coronavirus infection, the peculiarities of combating its spread, the influence of information technologies on this process and the need to understand the phenomena that have developed in society. The novelty of the research lies in the complex consideration of various social and individual psychological phenomena from the standpoint of the influence of the vital threat and existential fears on the individual and social consciousness. The article contains information on the socio-psychological phenomena that manifested themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic (alarmism, infodemic, intergroup tensions, stigmatization of certain groups of the population, a shift in political preferences, aggravation or emergence of mental disorders, inadequate purchasing activity) and describes them in terms of Terror Management Theory. In the conclusion, prospects are given for using the provisions of Terror Management Theory to develop a strategy for overcoming a pandemic situation, taking into account the action of proximal and distal defenses. The author comes to the conclusion that the features of the information coverage of the situation have a strong influence on its further development, in connection with which it is necessary to develop a clear plan for the preparation of official information that meets the criteria of completeness, credibility, scientific character and conveys the idea of positive realism. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2021.
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01 Jan 2020
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors emphasize that all stress factors associated with the pandemic (virtual threat and informational stress, deprivation, socioeconomic stress) should be taken into account and qualitatively studied and expect an increase in the prevalence of stressrelated mental disorders and physical diseases.
Abstract: Recent studies indicate that COVID-19 pandemic has significant negative consequences for the public mental health These consequences should be assessed and analyzed in the future, but it is already clear, that mass surveys with the use of standard psychological instruments are not adequate for this purpose The authors emphasize that all stress factors associated with the pandemic (virtual threat and informational stress, deprivation, socioeconomic stress) should be taken into account and qualitatively studied and expect an increase in the prevalence of stress-related mental disorders and physical diseases
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References
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TL;DR: The properties of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), which is a brief mental health screener to identify probable cases of dysfunctional anxiety associated with the COVID-19 crisis, demonstrated solid reliability and validity.
Abstract: Mental health concerns of people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic have not been adequately addressed. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the properties of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), which is a brief mental health screener to identify probable cases of dysfunctional anxiety associated with the COVID-19 crisis. This 5-item scale, which was based on 775 adults with anxiety over the coronavirus, demonstrated solid reliability and validity. Elevated CAS scores were found to be associated with coronavirus diagnosis, impairment, alcohol/drug coping, negative religious coping, extreme hopelessness, suicidal ideation, as well as attitudes toward President Trump and Chinese products. The CAS discriminates well between persons with and without dysfunctional anxiety using an optimized cut score of ≥ 9 (90% sensitivity and 85% specificity). These results support the CAS as an efficient and valid tool for clinical research and practice.
994 citations
"Consequences of information coverin..." refers background in this paper
...For example, members of the Asian race were severely stigmatized in Europe and the United States: Lee (2020) found that anxiety associated with coronavirus is positively correlated with avoidance of Chinese food and products [9]; Taiwanese avoid contact with Chinese and Japanese [10]....
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TL;DR: Converging evidence of an anxiety-buffering function of self-esteem was obtained and success and positive personality feedback reduced Ss' physiological arousal in response to subsequent threat of shock.
Abstract: Three studies were conducted to assess the proposition that self-esteem serves an anxiety-buffering function. In Study 1, it was hypothesized that raising self-esteem would reduce anxiety in response to vivid images of death. In support of this hypothesis, Ss who received positive personality feedback reported less anxiety in response to a video about death than did neutral feedback Ss. In Studies 2 and 3, it was hypothesized that increasing self-esteem would reduce anxiety among individuals anticipating painful shock. Consistent with this hypothesis, both success and positive personality feedback reduced Ss' physiological arousal in response to subsequent threat of shock. Thus, converging evidence of an anxiety-buffering function of self-esteem was obtained.
770 citations
TL;DR: Research suggesting that repeated media exposure to community crisis can lead to increased anxiety, heightened stress responses, and misplaced health-protective and help-seeking behaviors that can overburden health care facilities and tax available resources is reviewed.
Abstract: The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-2019) has led to a serious outbreak of often severe respiratory disease, which originated in China and has quickly become a global pandemic, with far-reaching consequences that are unprecedented in the modern era. As public health officials seek to contain the virus and mitigate the deleterious effects on worldwide population health, a related threat has emerged: global media exposure to the crisis. We review research suggesting that repeated media exposure to community crisis can lead to increased anxiety, heightened stress responses that can lead to downstream effects on health, and misplaced health-protective and help-seeking behaviors that can overburden health care facilities and tax available resources. We draw from work on previous public health crises (i.e., Ebola and H1N1 outbreaks) and other collective trauma (e.g., terrorist attacks) where media coverage of events had unintended consequences for those at relatively low risk for direct exposure, leading to potentially severe public health repercussions. We conclude with recommendations for individuals, researchers, and public health officials with respect to receiving and providing effective communications during a public health crisis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
769 citations
01 Jan 2020
TL;DR: Following a wave of fear and worry in the society, several communities seem to develop a new by-product of discrimination, that is, mutual discrimination within the Asian/Chinese societies.
Abstract: With the number of people infected by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which is rapidly increasing worldwide,[1] public anxieties and worries are elevated in many regions. As the COVID-19 outbreak is ongoing, a wave of fear and worry in the society has arisen. Following this wave of fear and worry, several communities seem to develop a new by-product of discrimination, that is, mutual discrimination within the Asian/Chinese societies. For example, people who reside in Taiwan are afraid of interaction with those living in Hong Kong; people in Hong Kong avoid interaction with China mainlanders; and people from southeastern or southern region of Asia are afraid of contacts with Chinese ethnic people. More recently, people in Hong Kong and Taiwan feel scared when interacting with Koreans and Japanese due to their recent community outbreak.
408 citations
TL;DR: The review suggests that panic buying is influenced by individuals’ perception of the threat of the health crisis and scarcity of products, which is caused by negative emotions and uncertainty, and coping behaviour, which views panic buying as a venue to relieve anxiety and regain control over the crisis.
Abstract: Attributed to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, panic buying is now a frequent occurrence in many countries, leading to stockouts and supply chain disruptions. Consequently, it has received much attention from academics and the retail industry. The aim of this study is to review, identify, and synthesise the psychological causes of panic buying, which is a relatively new and unexplored area in consumer behaviour research. A systematic review of the related literature is conducted. The review suggests that panic buying is influenced by (1) individuals’ perception of the threat of the health crisis and scarcity of products; (2) fear of the unknown, which is caused by negative emotions and uncertainty; (3) coping behaviour, which views panic buying as a venue to relieve anxiety and regain control over the crisis; and (4) social psychological factors, which account for the influence of the social network of an individual. This study contributes to the literature by consolidating the scarce and scattered research on the causes of panic buying, drawing greater theoretical insights into each cause and also offers some implications for health professionals, policy makers, and retailers on implementing appropriate policies and strategies to manage panic buying. Recommendations for future research are also provided.
313 citations