engleski

COVID‐19: concerns and behaviours in Croatia

Objectives The COVID‐19 pandemic has created uncertainty that has heightened fear and worry worldwide, thus elevating the potential for a growth in anxiety. This study aims to examine changes in levels of COVID‐19 concern and safety behaviours among persons living in Croatia during the period in which the first COVID‐19 case was identified and when the country recorded its first fatality. These changes were examined with respect to gender and family circumstances. Design The repeated cross‐sectional data were conducted over two time points over the 3 weeks (N1 = 888 ; N2 = 966). Methods Participants completed online questionnaire regarding various COVID‐19 concerns and safety behaviours aimed at disease prevention. Results Findings demonstrate dramatic increase in concern and safety behaviours among participants during the 3 weeks between the first identified case and the first fatality. The results suggest that parents, and mothers especially, represent the most concerned group, regardless of age. People with chronic health conditions also expressed greater concern and safety behaviour than healthy participants, but with small effect size. Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of developing clear guidelines for alleviating the negative effects on mental health through effective communication strategies that minimize fear and emphasize positive behavioural change.

COVID-19 ; anxiety ; safety behaviours

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