COVID-19-related psychological distress, fear, and reassurance-seeking behavior in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented and dystopian situation for the entire population and had imminent mental health corollaries specific to different sociodemographic variables. Distress and fear related to COVID-19 and following reassurance-seeking behavior were prominent during the pandemic. However, even after the end of the acute phase, due to continued uncertainty about protection from COVID-19, psychological concerns surrounding COVID-19 persisted. Aim: To evaluate coronavirus-related psychological distress, fear, reassurance seeking, and their correlation with personality factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 727 individuals were taken from the community from May 2022 to October 2022 and were requested to fill out a Google Form online comprising basic sociodemographic details and the following scales: COVID-19-related psychological distress in healthy public (CORPD), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behavior Scale, and Big Five Personality Inventory. The information was then charted, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. Results: The levels of COVID-19-related psychological distress and fear were comparable to the levels present during a pandemic. Psychological distress, fear, and reassurance-seeking were positively correlated with each other. Females were vulnerable to fear. Younger age was associated with reassurance seeking. Extraversion personality traits positively predicted fear about COVID-19, while conscientiousness and openness negatively predicted fear. Agreeableness positively predicted reassurance-seeking behavior. Conclusion: Even after the declaration of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and the return to the regular daily routine, people have COVID-19-related distress and fear in their minds. This indicates the need for continuation of mental health programs addressing these psychological issues related to COVID-19.