Community Outbreak Moderates the Association Between COVID-19-Related Behaviors and COVID-19 Fear Among Older People: A One-Year Longitudinal Study in Taiwan

• DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.756985
• Publication Date: 2021-12-17T06:34:16Z
• Authors: Yi-Jie Kuo; Yu-Pin Chen; Hsiao-Wen Wang; Chieh-hsiu Liu; Carol Strong; Mohsen Saffari; Nai-Ying Ko; Chung-Ying Lin; Mark D. Griffiths
• Keywords: Association (psychology); Longitudinal Study

Although health behavior theories indicate that fear is effective in activating preventive behaviors, the question of whether COVID-19 severity moderates association between and behaviors remains unclear. The present study investigated during community outbreak two levels Taiwan. Data were obtained regarding practice from 139 older people (mean age = 71.73 years; 30.2% men) through in-person interviews a mild period (baseline assessment). 126 participants again telephone interview severe (follow-up A significant increase (d 0.39, p < 0.001) decrease 0.63, found follow-up assessment. was not at baseline (r -0.07, > 0.05) but became assessment 0.32, 0.001). may alter people's psychological status related behaviors.