Epidemiol Health.  2022;44(1):e2022004. 10.4178/epih.e2022004.

Does having various types of fear related to COVID-19 disrupt individuals’ daily life?: Findings from a nationwide survey in Korea

• Kim W
• Ju YJ
• Lee SY

• KMID: 2528160
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2022004

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Unexpected changes in daily routines caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may affect psychological health. This study investigated the association between various types of COVID-19-related fear and the subjective level of disturbance in daily activities experienced by individuals.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study used the Korea Community Health Survey conducted from August through November 2020. COVID-19-related fear included fear of infection, death, public criticism, family members getting infected, and economic loss. The subjective level of disruption in daily activities was measured using a 0-100 numeric rating scale developed by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the associations between the independent and dependent variables. A subgroup analysis was performed based on income level.
RESULTS
Participants who reported fear of infection (β=-3.37, p<0.001), death (β=-0.33, p=0.030), public criticism (β=-1.63, p<0.001), a family member getting infected (β=-1.03, p<0.001), and economic loss (β=-3.52, p<0.001) experienced more disturbances in daily activities. The magnitude of this association was most significant in the lowest-income group.
CONCLUSIONS
Individuals reporting COVID-19-related fear experienced higher levels of subjective disruption in daily activities.

Keyword

Coronavirus; Fear; Activities of daily living; Income