Predicting Health Anxiety Based on Fear of Covid-19 Mediated by Behavioral Activation and Inhibition System

Due to the increasing rate of Covid-19 disease, experiencing a high level of fear and anxiety is predictable. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between fear of Covid-19 and health anxiety through the mediating roles of behavioral activation and inhibition system.

The design of the present study was descriptive-correlation and path analysis. The statistical population of this study included Iranian adults from which 605 people were selected by convenient sampling method. Data were collected using the Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI-18), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Behavioral Activation and Inhibition Systems Scale (BAS / BIS Scale). Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation, multiple regression and path analysis.

The findings showed that there is a significant correlation (P <0.01) between fear of COVID 19, Behavioral inhibition system and reward responsiveness subscale of behavioral activation system with health anxiety. In addition, the Bootstrap results indicate that the mediating roles of the behavioral inhibition system (0.001) and the reward responsiveness subscale of the behavioral activation system (0.006) is significant.

Based on the findings of this study, fear of COVID 19 can predict and affect health anxiety through interaction with behavioral inhibition system and reward responsiveness subscale of the behavioral activation system. Therefore, interventions based on the introduction of prevention programs concerning Covid-19 to reduce the fear and anxiety of people about getting it, have positive results and can be considered as prevention programs to help people overcome experienced health anxiety.