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A Cross-Country Examination on the Fear of COVID-19 and the Sense of Loneliness during the First Wave of COVID-19 Outbreak

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  • Gianluca Lo Coco

    (Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Ambra Gentile

    (Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Ksenija Bosnar

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Ivana Milovanović

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Antonino Bianco

    (Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Patrik Drid

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Saša Pišot

    (Institute for Kinesiology Research, Science and Research Center Koper, 6000 Koper, Slovenia)

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to examine gender, age. and cross-country differences in fear of COVID-19 and sense of loneliness during the lockdown, by comparing people from those countries with a high rate of infections and deaths (e.g., Spain and Italy) and from countries with a mild spread of infection (e.g., Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina). A total of 3876 participants (63% female) completed an online survey on “Everyday life practices in COVID-19 time” in April 2020, including measures of fear of COVID-19 and loneliness. Males and females of all age groups in countries suffering from the powerful impact of the COVID-19 pandemic reported greater fear of COVID-19 and sense of loneliness. In less endangered countries, females and the elderly reported more symptoms than males and the young; in Spanish and Italian samples, the pattern of differences is considerably more complex. Future research should thoroughly examine different age and gender groups. The analysis of emotional well-being in groups at risk of mental health issues may help to lessen the long term social and economic costs due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Suggested Citation

  • Gianluca Lo Coco & Ambra Gentile & Ksenija Bosnar & Ivana Milovanović & Antonino Bianco & Patrik Drid & Saša Pišot, 2021. "A Cross-Country Examination on the Fear of COVID-19 and the Sense of Loneliness during the First Wave of COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2586-:d:510835
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hong Yan Li & Hui Cao & Doris Y. P. Leung & Yim Wah Mak, 2020. "The Psychological Impacts of a COVID-19 Outbreak on College Students in China: A Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-11, June.
    2. Paolo Roma & Merylin Monaro & Marco Colasanti & Eleonora Ricci & Silvia Biondi & Alberto Di Domenico & Maria Cristina Verrocchio & Christian Napoli & Stefano Ferracuti & Cristina Mazza, 2020. "A 2-Month Follow-Up Study of Psychological Distress among Italian People during the COVID-19 Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-12, November.
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