Psychological consequences of fear of COVID-19: Symptom analysis of triggered anxiety and depression disorders in adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Among the innumerable consequences of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 are those of a psychological nature, among which we find fear. For this reason, it is important to carry out research on the fear of contagion and its behavior, especially in the population as a whole, and the consequences that these facts entail. The present study examines the fear of contagion and illness by COVID-19 and its relationship with symptoms of anxiety disorders and depression in a total of 1370 participants aged 16 to 29 years. The results indicate that fear of COVID-19, fear of death from COVID-19 infection, and concern that family members and/or friends will be infected with COVID-19 are predictors of symptoms related to depressive disorder. elderly and social phobia.