Adaptive function and correlates of anxiety during a pandemic

Salali G. D., Uysal M. S., Bevan A.

EVOLUTION MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH, cilt.9, sa.1, ss.393-405, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 9 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1093/emph/eoab037
  • Dergi Adı: EVOLUTION MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.393-405
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: anxiety, evolution, intolerance of uncertainty, time perspective, risk avoidance, COVID-19
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background and objectives: Most studies to date have focused on the negative aspects of anxiety. Anxiety, however, is an evolved emotional response that can provide protection in the face of risk. Pandemics are characterized by increased mortality risk coupled with future uncertainties, which both cause heightened anxiety. Here, we examine the factors associated with anxiety levels and risk avoidance behaviours during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked how individual time perspectives (future-oriented consideration and attention to present moment experience) affect anxiety in uncertain times, and whether anxiety reduces mortality risk by promoting risk avoidance behaviour.