The study aims to systematically examine various aspects of the anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. The data collection is carried out online with longitudinal repeated measurements.
The COVID-19 pandemic is currently one of the greatest challenges for numerous countries - also for Germany. In addition to its somatic and economic consequences, the psychological dimension of the Coronavirus pandemic is discussed increasingly and is visible in public life - e.g. in the "pandemic-caused experience of threat", "loss of control" and "panic" of multiple people. The study examines the phenomenon of this "corona-related anxiety" in terms of epidemiological, clinical and psychosocial characteristics. It is investigated how "corona anxiety" affects people who already have an anxiety disorder or other mental illnesses as well as formerly mentally healthy people. It is also examined how media reporting and personal consequences of COVID-19 are connected with corona-related anxiety and if there is a need for therapeutic support regarding corona-related anxiety. To answer these questions a longitudinal online survey targeting the general population in Germany is carried out. The survey takes place all three weeks as long as the pandemic lasts and ends with one follow-up one year later.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
7,500
Online Questionnaire via SoSci Survey
Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin - Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Berlin, Germany
RECRUITINGCharacteristics of COVID-19-related anxiety
To investigate specific fears regarding the COVID-19 pandemic 9 self created items are used. Values ranging from 1 to 6, higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Time frame: 1 day
COVID-19-related anxiety symptoms
Modified German version of the DSM-5 Severity-Measure-For-Specific-Phobia-Adult-Scale by Beesdo-Baum et al. (2014). 10 items, values ranging from 1 to 5, higher scores indicate a worse outcome. The Scale was adapted to anxiety symptoms related to COVID-19.
Time frame: 1 day
Self-efficacy and coping with COVID-19
Self-efficacy and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic are measured with 13 self created items. Values ranging from 1 to 6; higher scores indicate a better outcome (except inverted items).
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Consequences of COVID-19 in the last three weeks.
Personal consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in the last three weeks are collected with five self-created items.
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
General Illness Attitude
General illness attitudes are measured with 3 subscales (Worry about illness; Thanatophobia; Bodily preoccupations) of the German version of the Illness Attitude Scales (IAS) by Hiller \& Rief (2004). 9 Items; values ranging from 1 to 5, higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
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Media reporting
Frequency, effects and formats of consumed media related to COVID-19 are measured with 5 self created items.
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Ultra-brief screening scale for anxiety and depression
To screen for general anxiety and depressive symptoms the German version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) by Löwe (2015) is used. 4 items; values ranging from 0 to 3, higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Change in characteristics of COVID-19-related anxiety
To investigate specific fears regarding the COVID-19 pandemic 9 self created items are used. Values ranging from 1 to 6, higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Change in COVID-19-related anxiety symptoms
Modified German version of the DSM-5 Severity-Measure-For-Specific-Phobia-Adult-Scale by Beesdo-Baum et al. (2014). 10 items, values ranging from 1 to 5, higher scores indicate a worse outcome. The Scale was adapted to anxiety symptoms related to COVID-19.
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months