Effectiveness of Video-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention on Health Anxiety and Anxiety Sensitivity of Individuals with High Levels of COVID-19 Anxiety

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.A in General Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.

2 M.A in General Psychology, Faculty of Literature and humanity sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

3 B.A in Arabic Language and Literature, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran.

4 PhD Candidate in Psychology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Cognitive-behavioral interventions are known as first-line treatments for anxiety disorders. However, complexities such as quarantine have made it difficult to provide face-to-face intervention. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of video-based cognitive-behavioral intervention on health anxiety and anxiety sensitivity of individuals with high levels of COVID-19 anxiety. Method: The present study was semi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design with the control group. According to the principles of diagnosis of health anxiety in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition and COVID-19 Anxiety Questionnaire, 138 participants with high levels of COVID-19 anxiety were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned into two groups of experimental (n = 69) and control (n = 69). The experimental group received 10-session video-based cognitive-behavioral intervention compared to the control group. The research instruments included the COVID-19 Anxiety Questionnaire, the Short Health Anxiety Inventory, and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index. At the end, the data were analyzed by using statistical method of MANCOVA. Results: The results of this study showed that cognitive-behavioral intervention led to a reduction in health anxiety and anxiety sensitivity of experimental group participants (p < 0.001). In the meantime, the present intervention has been more effective for the components of health anxiety. Conclusion: Due to the widespread public anxiety about COVID-19 as well as the complexities of face-to-face cognitive-behavioral therapy, the use of video-based cognitive-behavioral intervention can be an immediate, concise, and inexpensive way to improve mental health of the community.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 06 May 2020
  • Revise Date: 20 October 2020
  • Accept Date: 10 January 2021

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