J Korean Med Sci.  2022 May;37(21):e157. 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e157.

Mediating Effects of ReassuranceSeeking Behavior or Obsession With COVID-19 on the Association Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Viral Anxiety Among Healthcare Workers in Korea

• Lee J
• Cho IK
• Lee D
• Kim K
• Ahn MH
• Chung S

• KMID: 2530111
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e157

Abstract

Background
This study explores whether the intolerance of uncertainty among healthcare workers prompts viral anxiety, and whether this association is mediated by their reassuranceseeking behavior and preoccupation with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Korea.
Methods
An online survey was conducted among healthcare workers in Asan Medical Center, on November 29, 2021. Demographic characteristics and responses to items from rating scales were collected, including Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-9, Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS), Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Insomnia Severity Scale, and Intolerance of Uncertainty-12 (IUS-12).
Results
Among the 329 participants, viral anxiety of healthcare workers was predicted by being female (β = 0.14, P = 0.002), CRBS (β = 0.30, P < 0.001), OCS (β = 0.32, P < 0.001), and IUS-12 (β = 0.15, P = 0.002) scores (adjusted R² = 0.43, F = 31.1, P < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that the intolerance of uncertainty directly influenced viral anxiety, and reassuranceseeking behavior and obsession with COVID-19 partially mediated the association.
Conclusion
The intolerance of uncertainty among healthcare workers directly influenced their viral anxiety, and reassurance-seeking behavior and obsession with COVID-19 mediated this association in this era of “living with coronavirus” in Korea.

Keyword

COVID-19; Anxiety; Health Personnel; Stress; Pandemic

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Mediation model showing the influence of intolerance of uncertainty (independent variables) on viral anxiety (outcome) is mediated by reassurance-seeking behavior and obsession with COVID-19 (mediator).COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019.**P < 0.01.

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