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. 2024 Feb;21(2):151-158.
doi: 10.30773/pi.2023.0326. Epub 2024 Feb 8.

The Effect of Psychological Inflexibility on Social-Distancing Phobia Mediated by Preoccupation With Sleep and Intolerance of Uncertainty in the Elderly Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Seockhoon Chung  1 , Kayoung Song  2 , Aykut Günlü  3
Affiliations

The Effect of Psychological Inflexibility on Social-Distancing Phobia Mediated by Preoccupation With Sleep and Intolerance of Uncertainty in the Elderly Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Seockhoon Chung et al. Psychiatry Investig. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore whether psychological inflexibility in the elderly population is related to social-distancing phobia, and examine whether their viral anxiety, preoccupation with sleep, or intolerance of uncertainty may mediate the relationship.

Methods: Among the elderly population aged ≥65 in Korea, we conducted an anonymous online survey during January and February 2023. We collected the responses of 300 participants, collected demographic information, and symptoms using rating scales such as the Social-Distancing Phobia scale, Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 items (SAVE-6), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 (IUS-12), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale (GSES).

Results: Social-distancing phobia was expected by the SAVE-6 (β=0.34, p<0.001), IUS-12 (β=0.18, p=0.003), and GSES (β=0.18, p= 0.001) in the linear regression analysis. In the mediation analysis, psychological inflexibility did not directly influence social-distancing phobia. However, viral anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, or preoccupation with sleep completely mediated the influence of psychological inflexibility on social-distancing phobia among elderly population.

Conclusion: The management of psychological inflexibility, intolerance of uncertainty, or preoccupation with sleep needs to be considered when designing interventions to address social-distancing phobia in elderly populations in future pandemics.

Keywords: Anxiety; Cognition; Coronavirus disease-2019; Distancing; Psychology; Sleep.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest

Seockhoon Chung, a contributing editor of the Psychiatry Investigation, was not involved in the editorial evaluation or decision to publish this article. All remaining authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Mediation model showing the pathway from the effect of psychological inflexibility (independent variables) on social-distancing phobia (outcome) through viral anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, or preoccupation with sleep (mediator) among participants aged ≥65 years old. **p<0.01.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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