Insomnia mediates the influence of reassurance-seeking behavior and viral anxiety on preoccupation with COVID-19 among the general population

ABSTRACT

Objectives: We explored in this study whether insomnia, viral anxiety, reassurance-seeking behavior, and preoccupation with COVID-19 are related among the general population. As well, we explored the possibility that insomnia may mediate the association between COVID-19 viral anxiety and preoccupation. Method(s) During November 9-15, 2021, 400 participants voluntarily completed this survey, and participants' age, sex, living location, and marital status were collected. Responses to questions about COVID- 19, were also gathered, and their symptoms were rated using the Obsession with COVID-19 scale (OCS), Coronavirus Reassurance- Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS), Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The mean and standard deviation of participants' demographic characteristics and rating scale scores are summarized. Two-tailed significance was determined by a p value of 0.05. Correlation analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. We used linear regression to examine which variables can predict obsession with COVID-19. The bootstrap method with 2,000 resamples was implemented to determine whether insomnia mediates the influence of viral anxiety or reassurance seeking behavior on preoccupation with COVID-19. Result(s) A total of 400 participants were analyzed in this study. Preoccupation with COVID-19 was predicted by young age (beta = -0.08, p = 0.012), CRBS (beta = 0.52, p < 0.001), FCV-19S (beta = 0.30, p < 0.001), and ISI (beta = 0.07, p = 0.029) (adjusted R2 = 0.62, F = 163.6, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that insomnia partially mediates the influence of reassurance seeking behavior and viral anxiety on preoccupation with COVID-19. Conclusion(s) Sleep disturbances can contribute to a vicious cycle of hypochondriacal preoccupation with COVID-19. In order to reduce an individual's viral anxiety, insomnia symptoms must be addressed.