RESUMO
Current models suggest health anxiety as a fundamental variable associated with fear and anxiety related to COVID-19. The investigation was carried out in separate two studies on the Iranian population. The first study aims to test the COVID-19 Anxiety Inventory (N = 202). The findings indicate a two-factor structure of the scale. Participants (N = 1638) completed the online survey anonymously in the second study, including the COVID-19 Anxiety Inventory, Short Health Anxiety Inventory, The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, Body Vigilance Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21, and Contamination Cognitions Scale. Results showed that health anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and body vigilance would significantly contribute to fears of contracting COVID-19. Moreover, the findings support a central role of intolerance of uncertainty in predicting COVID-19 anxiety. The study results provided both theoretical and practical implications for understanding psychosocial predictors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is of concern given the increased risk for suicide attempt. Prevalence rates of NSSI are highest among adolescents and young adults. These groups also exhibit the highest rates of Internet use. Previous research suggests that online communication of NSSI can serve as both a risk and protective factor related to NSSI engagement. This study explored online disinhibition in the context of NSSI e-communities as a potential factor that could contribute to opposing NSSI outcomes. METHOD: The study sample consisted of 200 individuals 18 years or older (M = 21.76, SD = 5.24) recruited from social networking sites (i.e., Reddit, LiveJournal). These participants provided self-report of their NSSI histories and degree of online disinhibition. RESULTS: Those who engaged in Internet communication of NSSI at the highest level endorsed more online disinhibition than those less involved with NSSI content. Furthermore, within this group of high communicators, increased toxic disinhibition predicted lower lifetime frequency of NSSI. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that online behavior, including toxic disinhibition, may contribute to NSSI outcomes. Online disinhibition and its relationship to NSSI should be an area of continued research. Cyberbullying may be an additional construct of interest in future studies of NSSI e-communication.
