How Perceived Partner Responsiveness Moderates the Relationship between Metacognitive Beliefs about Health Anxiety and COVID-19 Anxiety?

While previous studies have explored the links between COVID-19 anxiety and metacognitive beliefs, scant attention has been given to the relationship between metacognitive beliefs about health anxiety and COVID-19 anxiety, and the potential influencers of this relationship. Existing research underscores the importance of perceiving understanding, validation, and sensitivity from romantic partners in managing stress and anxiety effectively. The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between metacognitive beliefs about health anxiety and COVID-19 anxiety as well as the perceived partner responsiveness. Another objective is to assess the potential moderating effect of perceived partner responsiveness. Our research involved 210 individuals, aged 18 to 65, engaged in romantic relationships between November 2020 and May 2021. Participants completed the Perceived Partner Responsiveness Scale, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and Metacognition Questionnaire-Health Anxiety Scale. Our findings reveal a positive association between metacognitive beliefs regarding uncontrollable thoughts, COVID-19 and general anxiety symptoms. Contrary to expectations, heightened perceived partner responsiveness exacerbated the impact of uncontrollable thought beliefs on coronavirus anxiety. Nevertheless, this effect does not manifest in general anxiety symptoms. This moderating role of perceived partner responsiveness differs from existing literature, emphasizing the need for further research into metacognition, anxiety, and relationship dynamics.