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Cited by 14Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesCOVID-19 and Mental HealthMaternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum

The Relationship Between Attentional Bias, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms: Evidence From the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

Open access
Li, Shiyi, Li, Xiao·2022·Frontiers in Public Health
DOI 10.3389/fpubh.2022.832819PMC PMC8861176
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Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to observed increases in reported mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety symptoms. There is evidence attentional bias is associated with depression and anxiety, and it has been further suggested that anxiety sensitivity has a role in both the development and maintenance of depression and anxiety symptoms. Understanding these relationships may help inform preventative interventions for those at risk of mental health concerns. The present study explores the role of anxiety sensitivity, specifically physical and cognitive concerns, as a potential mediator of the relationship between attentional bias with depression and anxiety symptoms. Method: Participants (n = 460) were recruited from the general population in China, and completed an online survey between February and March, 2020 which included the Attention to Positive and Negative Information Scale (APNI), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). After exploring the correlations between the measures, mediation analysis was performed to explore the role of anxiety sensitivity (physical and cognitive subscales) in the relationship between attentional bias and depression and anxiety (as measured by the DASS-21). Results: The results indicated that negative attention bias was significantly positively correlated with physical and cognitive concerns, physical and cognitive concerns were significantly positively correlated with depression and anxiety, and negative attention bias was significantly positively correlated with depression and anxiety (all ps < 0.001). Physical and cognitive anxiety sensitivity mediated the relationship between negative attention bias and both anxiety and depression symptoms. Conclusion: Negative bias was associated with levels of anxiety and depression, and physical and cognitive anxiety sensitivity mediated associations between negative bias and anxiety and depression symptoms. The study provides theoretical support for intervention and guidance on individual mental health during the pandemic, and helps individuals increase their concern to negative emotions.

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Cited by

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Authors
Li, S., & Li, X.
Affiliations
Tianjin Normal University (CN)
Corresponding author
Li, Xiao
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Public Health
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2022-02-08
Volume
10
Pages
832819-832819
ISSN
2296-2565 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fpubh.2022.832819
PMC
PMC8861176
OpenAlex
W4210903476
Cited by
14
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2
FWCI
2.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Keywords
attentional bias, anxiety sensitivity, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, COVID-19 pandemic, mediation, mental health, China
MeSH terms
Attentional Bias, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Anxiety, China, Depression, Humans, Pandemics

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