Assessment of the level of health anxiety among college students in a private higher educational institution during COVID-19.
- Author:
Janella Rome David
1
,
2
;
Bernadeth Quiroz
1
,
2
;
Irish Vibeth Manlulu
1
,
2
;
Trishia Lance Paule
1
,
2
;
Noriel Calaguas
1
,
2
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: health anxiety; checking; avoidance; college students; COVID-19
- From: Philippine Journal of Allied Health Sciences 2022;6(1):6-14
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:Worldwide, people who were exposed to the virus reported heightened health anxiety compared to the individuals with the absence
of exposure related to the COVID-19 during the pandemic. Young adults reported higher levels of health anxiety when compared to other groups.
To a certain extent, health anxiety serves a protective role until it becomes perseverate and dysfunctional. The researchers aim to describe the level
of anxiety of college students by utilizing the COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale to form a foundation for programs and policies that would address
dysfunctional health anxiety
METHODS:The researchers used a quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive online survey research design to describe the level of COVID-19 health anxiety among college students in a private higher educational institution in Central Luzon, Philippines.
RESULTS:A total of 378 college students completed the survey. Analysis revealed that participants checked for symptoms of COVID-19 and were worried about possibly contracting COVID-19 for more than 7 days within two weeks (M=3.9; SD=1.5). It also revealed that the participants avoided situations that put them at risk for COVID-19 at a similar frequency (M=4.1; SD=0.4).
CONCLUSION:The study reveals the sampled college students manifested COVID-19 anxiety for more than 7 days in a 2-week timeframe. This means that the students spend a significant amount of their time, in a two-week timeframe, worrying, checking, and avoiding situations that may put them at risk for COVID-19. These anxiety-induced behaviors may hinder the accomplishment of their activities of daily living or productive pursuits. - Full text:Assessment of the level of health anxiety among college students.pdf
