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The Moderating Role of Caregiving on Fear of COVID-19 and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms

Author

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  • José Luis Carballo

    (Center for Applied Psychology, Miguel Hernández University, Avenida Universidad s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain)

  • Ainhoa Coloma-Carmona

    (Center for Applied Psychology, Miguel Hernández University, Avenida Universidad s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain)

  • Sara Arteseros-Bañón

    (Center for Applied Psychology, Miguel Hernández University, Avenida Universidad s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain)

  • Virtudes Pérez-Jover

    (Center for Applied Psychology, Miguel Hernández University, Avenida Universidad s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain)

Abstract

Caregiving has been associated with increased levels of fear and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) during COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a lack of studies that analyze when the relationship between fear and PTSS occur, using informal caregiving as a moderator variable. To explore this moderating role, we conducted a cross-sectional online study between November 2020 and January 2021. A total of 503 men and women from the Spanish general population completed the survey. Sociodemographic and Covid-19-related data, fear of COVID-19, PTSS symptoms, and current psychological history were assessed. Prevalence of informal caregiving in the sample was 16.5%. Increased levels of fear and PTSS were found in caregivers compared to non-caregivers. Female gender and high number of COVID-19 related risk factors was also associated with fear and PTSS severity. The moderation analyses showed an interaction effect between caregiving and fear of COVID-19 when predicting PTSS symptoms. Particularly, results showed that informal caregivers reported greater PTSS symptoms, when compared to non-caregivers with same levels of fear of COVID-19. This evidence suggests that being a caregiver could increase the fear’s impact on PTSS severity in the context of pandemics. Further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these findings.

Suggested Citation

  • José Luis Carballo & Ainhoa Coloma-Carmona & Sara Arteseros-Bañón & Virtudes Pérez-Jover, 2021. "The Moderating Role of Caregiving on Fear of COVID-19 and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:6125-:d:569836
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cara Bailey & Ping Guo & John MacArtney & Anne Finucane & Susan Swan & Richard Meade & Ellie Wagstaff, 2022. "The Experiences of Informal Carers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-18, October.

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