In March 2020,World Health Organization characterized the COVID-19 outbreak as pandemic. This new health situation has created an anxiety-provoking climate among health professionals

To provide risks associated with the exposure of caregivers to COVID-19 for their mental health by studying the prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

Our study was descriptive and analytical cross-sectional, carried out with healthcare in different hospitals in Tunisia, between 13 May until 20 June 2020. An online survey was sent to caregivers. mental health was assessed using 3 scales: PCL-5:measure the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder HADS :screen for anxiety and depression. PSQI:see the existence of a disturbance in sleep quality

125 caregivers participated in the survey. The average age was 32 years. The participants were predominantly female (72.8%), married (48%), and had at least one child (39.2%). 28.7% of participants had increased their consumption of coffee, especially anxious people (p = 0.001). Anxiety was retained in 44% and depression in 47.2%. Anxiety was significantly related to sex with (p = 0.039) and affects more women. The consumers of coffee developed more anxiety (p = 0.034) and depression (p = 0.026). 42.4% of participants had presented post-traumatic stress disorder. Three parameters were correlated with post-traumatic stress disorder: young age, having children and fewer years of professional experience. 62.4% of caregivers had a bad quality of sleep

This health crisis had a major impact on the mental health of our heroes. So, we should provide for them with the necessary support.

Compared to the parents of kids with “typical” development the stress level and exhaustion in these parents is higher and more frequent. Furthermore COVID-19 pandemic can increase stress levels especially among people that suffer from mental health disorders. Studies show that these difficult, challenging times have had a negative impact on most families, which have a child with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Evaluation of different aspects of emotional dimension among caregivers of children that take therapy in the National Center for Children Rehabilitation and Treatment (NCCRT) during COVID-19 pandemic

The study was conducted during a two-month period March-April 2020. The sample involved 110 relatives of children that were taking educative and rehabilitation therapy in NCCRT during last year, ambulatory or inpatients. Data were collected by clinical records and phone interviews. Instrument we used were: Demographic inventory and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale for anxiety symptom evaluation. All data were statistically analyzed through excel.

Most of individual interviewed, whom are responsible for children wellbeing and pass most of the time with them were their parents, 69% of them. 56% of individuals were among 31-45 years old and 92% of them were women. Physical distancing seemed to risen anxiety levels in caregivers whom hadn’t have these problems before.

It is necessary the dynamic support with special attention for caregivers whom have emotional distress. Yet has to be evaluated the connection, if it’s present, between parents with emotional distress and children progress, for ones that are being supported with development therapy.

Lockdown resulting from the experienced pandemic has had a great influence on the emotional and social well-being of the general population. Specifically, it is known that those with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their caregivers had to overcome several challenges during this period. Moreover, this situation has influenced the professionals who work in this field.

The aim of this study is to describe the impact, the learnings and the challenges that have arisen for the patients with ASD, their families and professionals during the coronavirus outbreak through progenitors’ and professionals’ perceptions.

A qualitative research design using focus groups was selected to identify and discuss participants’ experiences, beliefs, perceptions and attitudes. The target population consisted on parents with children with ASD and professionals who work with them. Data was collected via two focus groups. A content was made using the program Atlas.ti to determinate the principal categories and themes that describe the COVID-19 impact.

Findings widely describe the problems faced and difficulties experienced by this population during lockdown and after it. As well as the challenges, opportunities and learning that this situation has offered.

Reflections derived from the study manifest the need of thinking about new models of intervention with children with ASD and their families. Greater attention must be paid to parents’ experiences in order to attend to the actual demands of patients and their caregivers contextualized within our current changing situation.

We are facing a crisis caused by an extremely infectious disease, Covid-19. The mechanisms of infection and transmission of this coronavirus are largely unknown but some of the clearer recommendations are washing hands and surfaces. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder has a lifetime prevalence of 2-3%, among the multiple symptoms, fear of dirt or being contaminated, and excessive washing are the most common affecting about 50% of patients.

We reviewed the available information to understand if there are changes in OCD symptoms during the pandemic.

Non-systematic review of the literature with selection of scientific articles published in the past 6 months; by searching Pubmed and Medscape databases using the combination of MeSH descriptors. The following MeSH terms were used: Covid-19; SARS-Cov2; pandemic; obsessive compulsive disorder; OCD.

From a theoretical point of view, the increased frequency of hand washing and the importance of following hand-washing steps can add to a ritualistic pattern, also cleaning hands every time a person comes from outside or contacts with others can be justified as a preventive action rather than considered a problem and it can be “normalized” by others as a pandemic response.

In conclusion, there is evidence that during quarantine an overall increase in obsession and compulsion severity emerged with contamination symptoms associated with worse outcomes. There is data on an increase in relapses with patients not asking for help in a timely manner. The current situation is unpredictable and rapidly changing. It is likely that more information about this topic will arise in the next months.

COVID19 outbreak had affected physical and mental health of individuals. Different adverse health behaviors had worsened and eating disorders had evolved. Health care workers were not spared.

To screen binge eating disorder among health care workers of regional hospital of Gabes (south of Tunisia) and its associated factors.

We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, from April 19, 2020, to May 5, 2020 on 289 in Gabes regional Hospital. All healthcare workers were included (n=620). Workers who were on sick leave during the study were excluded. During this period, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 exceeded 900 cases in Tunisia and around 20 cases in Gabes. We used a self-administered anonymous questionnaire containing sociodemographic and clinical data. DSM-5 diagnostic criteria were used to assess Binge-Eating Disorder.

Of the 289 responding participants, 85 were physicians (29%), 166 nurses (57.4%), 8 ambulance drivers (2.8%) and 30 health-related administrators (10.3%). A total of 100 participants (34.6%) were frontline health care workers directly engaged in diagnosing, treating or caring for patients with coronavirus disease. Nine percent of participants experienced binge eating disorder during the outbreak. Binge eating disorders were associated to past psychiatric history of eating disorder (p=0.001), social isolation (p=0.001), increased consumption of tea and coffee (p=0.02) and the fact of being a frontline care giver (p=0.009).

Binge eating disorders are usually associated with health problems: obesity and consequently severe form of coronavirus disease. Screening those disorders is important to alleviate its physical impact.

Compared to the parents of kids with “typical” development the stress level and exhaustion in these parents is higher and more frequent. Furthermore COVID-19 pandemic can increase stress levels especially among people that suffer from mental health disorders. Studies show that these difficult, challenging times have had a negative impact on most families, which have a child with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Evaluation of sleeping problems among caregivers of children that take therapy in the National Center for Children Rehabilitation and Treatment (NCCRT) during COVID-19 pandemic

The study was conducted during a two-month period March-April 2020. The sample involved 110 individuals, relatives, of children that were taking educative and rehabilitation therapy in NCCRT during last year, ambulatory or inpatients. Data were collected by clinical records and phone interviews with children’s caregiver. Instrument we used were: Demographic inventory and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale for anxiety symptom evaluation. All data were statistically analyzed through excel.

Most of individual interviewed were parents, 69% of them. 56% of individuals were among 31-45 years old. 28,2% of individuals developed sleeping difficulties and they weren’t able to sleep within 30 minutes after going to bed. 12,7% of them reported to have had difficulties staying awake during driving, eating or other daily activities.

It is necessary the dynamic support with special attention for caregivers whom have sleeping problems. Yet has to be evaluated the connection, if it’s present, between parents with sleeping problems and children progress, for ones that are being supported with development therapy

The Coronavirus pandemic has originated unprecedented sanitary control measures that have conditioned people’s lifestyles and habits. Little is known about the impact of such measures, especially the most restrictive, on recent and growing phenomena such as exercise addiction, use of enhancement drugs, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).

The objective was to investigate the above-mentioned phenomena during COVID-19 pandemic and how they relate.

The sample consisted of 3161 participants (65% women), from Portugal (11%), Italy (41%), Spain (16%), the UK (12%), Lithuania (12%), Japan (6%), and Hungary (4%). Mean age was 35.05 (SD = 12.10). Participants responded online to the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and questions about use of enhancement drugs.

4.3% of the participants scored above the cut-off point of the EAI, with higher values registered in the UK and Spain. Exercise addiction was higher among men. Appearance anxiety and body satisfaction problems were found in participants of all participating countries, with 15.2% scoring over the cut-off point for BDD. Higher numbers of those at risk of BDD were found in Italy, Japan, and Portugal. About 29% reported the use of fitness supplements to make them look better, with 6.4% starting a new use during the lockdown. Change in supplements use and exercise are predicted by EAI scores. Change in mental health is predicted by AAI scores.

This study helps to shed light on how COVID-19 lookdown induced behavioral changes and how they affect physical and mental health-related aspects in different countries.

Anxiety are among the most common (Huang, Zhao, 2020, Rajkumar, 2020, Roy et al., 2020) and stable (Wang et al., 2020) mental complaints in a pandemic situation. Based on cognitive approach (Beck, Emery, Greenberg, 2005) one should differentiate unrealistic (dysfunctional) anxiety as well as different types of anxiety (Roy et al., 2020).

The aim was to reveal relationship of different types of anxiety with the search for information about coronavirus and protective behavior.

In April 2020 (2-3 weeks of self-isolation regimen) 409 respondents not infected by coronavirus (186 men, 223 women) aged 18 to 64 years appraised their anxiety of infection and pandemic consequences (Cronbach’s alphas .77-.82), the degree to which anxiety disturbs their usual activities, the frequency of tracking information about the coronavirus (.75) and various protective actions against the coronavirus (.76).

17.1% reported that anxiety disturbed their activities. Anxiety of pandemic negative consequences was more prominent than anxiety of infection and was unrelated to age and gender. Anxiety of infection was higher in females (t=-5.48, p<.01, η=.26) and elder people (r=.20, p<.01). Both anxiety of infection and of pandemic consequences was equally related to information tracking and protective behavior (r=.25-.36, p<.01). Dysfunctional anxiety was unrelated to adherence to self-isolation (r=.08) but was related to information tracking (r=.21, p<.01).

Dysfunctional anxiety is unrelated to self-isolation and should be differentiated from realistic anxiety in studies of pandemic. Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-04-60072.

In response to collective life events, many people regulate their emotional states through social interactions to reduce cognitive tolls. During pandemics, physical distancing renders the social support strategy less viable, increasing mental health risks.

The current work aims to understand the range of emotions and strategies used in a population of Mental Health staff.

We conducted an anonymous survey on staff from OMH facilities (n=211) to assess the impact of Covid-19. The current survey captures a host of social, affective, and demographic variables. Accompanied by scales on emotions, emotion regulation, risk, and perception.

Work, family, and health-concerns were the primary contributors to mood. The most common strategy was “situation-avoidance,” then “exercising.” When comparing depression scores against whether or not specific kinds of regulation strategies were utilized, only differences in the strategy of “emotion-suppression” and “authority-seeking” were substantially related to the CES-D scores. Specifically, participants who kept feelings to themselves tended to have higher CES-D scores than those who let their feelings show, while those who sought out authority scored lower on the CES-D, on average than those that did not seek authority.

Healthcare staff are under greater stress and pressure during national emergencies, and to regulate emotions during consistent high-stress, our preliminary data suggest that suppression and distraction strategies are dominant. Suggesting that staff prefer or have little choice but to focus on work. Alternatively, perhaps they are overwhelmed to the extent that avoidance and distraction are more accessible strategies. Further analysis of our data may help us understand more.

The pandemic caused by the SARS CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) has a profound effect in the health care system (HCS). The therapeutic effect of communication skills is well known. Psychiatric patients are a vulnerable population and remote care via telephone was one of the first implemented measures during the lockdown.

The aim is to highlight the potential benefits and risks of remote follow up, according to the scientific evidence currently available.

Non-systematic review of the literature with the selection of scientific articles published in the last year. The search was performed in Pubmed database with the following Mesh terms: “COVID-19”, “psychiatry”, and “health communication”. Complementary references were also included.

For those with a stable psychiatric condition, remote appointments may guarantee the adequate follow up in a safe way throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, telephonic appointments are associated with a limited ability to perform psychopathological examination. A better assessment can be achieved if video call is used. Also, data protection and the ability of giving informed consent by psychiatric patients should be addressed. Additional training should be considered. A subgroup of patients with severe mental illness may require face-to-face visits.

COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis and telemedicine is now emerging as an alternative. Remote consultation has advantages and, in some situations, it may replace or complement the in-person visits. Since social isolation is one of the most effective measures, digital means constitute a window of opportunity for the HCS.

COVID-19 pandemic has affected social interaction and healthcare worldwide especially during the period of lockdown. As a result of this pandemic in Tunisia, the activity of hospital services and all non-emergency acts, in several specialties have been reduced. In psychiatry, such measures have not been taken. In the social zeitgeber hypothesis social rhythm disrupting life events such as eating, activity, and social patterns, may lead to the onset of manic episodes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency of acute mania in the context of bipolar disorder during the lockdown and post lockdown period compared to the same period during last year in a psychiatric department in Tunisia.

We assessed the number of hospitalizations in our department for acute mania in the context of bipolar disorder during the lockdown period in our country, (from March 1st and May 30, 2020) and during the two months following it. We compared this frequency to that of the previous year during the same periods.

During the lockdown period, 17 patients were hospitalized for acute mania in the context of bipolar disorder. Sixty-seven patients were hospitalized in 2019 during the same period for acute mania. Nine hospitalizations for acute mania in the post lockdown period (between June and July 2020), were noted compared to 16 hospitalizations in the same period in 2019.

Lockdown seemed to have a protective effect from affective episodes in bipolar disorder. Perceiving increased connectedness among families may explain these findings.

On March, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. Social isolation, unemployment and financial difficulties can have an impact on mental health and trigger the use of alcohol as a form of coping. Since the beginning of this pandemic, the WHO had warned the general public of the potential risks of increased alcohol consumption, which might result in a higher incidence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) in future.

The aim is to do a review of the literature of alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Non-systematic review of the literature with selection of scientific articles published in the last 7 months; by searching the Pubmed databases, the following MeSH terms were used: COVID-19; alcohol consumption.

A recent article in The Lancet suggested that mental health and alcohol use during the pandemic, a major public health concern, are worthy of attention. Market research showed that alcohol sales increased in several countries compared to the same time last year. However, with the closure of several drinking places, sales are not in themselves reliable enough estimates of alcohol consumption. On the other hand, economic crises can lead to a reduction in alcohol consumption, due to financial problems or the risk of unemployment.

The present global circumstance is unique, and there is a need for further research on the relationship between alcohol consumption and COVID-19 to understand its long-term effects and develop specific prevention programs for this population.

The psychological stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has a complex multifactorial nature.

The aim: to evaluate the level of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Russian-speaking population with(-out) affective disorders in different cities of residence.

The data obtained from an online survey of 4803 Russian-speaking respondents (age over 18) from March 30 to May 18, 2020. The survey included social, demographic and the history of affective disorders data. The anxiety distress level was evaluated with the Psychological Stress Measure (PSM-25).

Individuals from sub-cohort of Russian cities with populations less than one million had higher stress levels (M=135.39) compared to Moscow (M=129.47; p=0.003) or St.-Petersburg (M=126.63; p<0.001). However, stress scores in respondents with a history of affective disorders correspond to the average stress level according to PSM-25. Respondents without affective disorders from St.-Petersburg reported lower stress levels (M=92.88) than respondents from Moscow (M=100.47; p<0.001) and Russian cities with less than one million population (M=98.4; p<0.001). Average stress scores from St.-Petersburg and other Russian cities show a low level of stress on PSM-25, which indicates psychological adaptation. Stress scores from Moscow have borderline values between low and medium levels.

Our study showed that the city of residence and affective disorders status significantly affect stress levels in Russian population. These factors could be further used in individual psychological support strategies.

Web-based tools allowed the provision of psychological counseling and therapy at-distance during the COVID-19 lockdown. Nevertheless, psychologists’ attitudes towards the adoption of these tools and its impact in their professional practices need to be further explored.

The objective was to study the use of web-based tools on psychological practices before and during COVID-19 lockdown, trying to identify changes on psychologists’ professional practices related to the pandemic, as well as to explore factors that could have affected such changes.

One-hundred and eight psychologists filled-in an online survey, developed for the purposes of this study, during mandatory lockdown. The study was disseminated by mailing list, social networks, and by the Portuguese Psychologists Association.

The results have shown that psychologists kept providing their services during lockdown thanks to the adoption of web-based tools. Although psychologists have recognized that additional precautions were needed for at-distance practice in comparison to in-person interventions, the experience of using IC technologies in clinical practice was described as positive, ensuring clients’ adherence with positive results. Additionally, despite psychological services were maintained on a larger scale by psychologists with more years of experience, professionals with average experience stated more favorable attitudes towards the use of web-based tools in counseling and therapy.

Although the implementation of ICT based practice was enforced by current circumstances, the experience that psychologists gathered and shared during the lockdown can guide future professional practice, improving and fostering the replication of best practices at distance.

The health care workers have extremely high risks of adverse psychological reactions from COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, patients with respiratory syndromes face stigmatization due to their possible contagiousness of SARS-Cov-2.

To study the association of behavior, psychological distress in health care workers, and their stigmatization attitudes to the patients.

The online-survey of 1800 health care workers performed during different lockdown periods in Russia: the first week and the last (30/Mar-5/Apr/20 and 4-10/May/20). The Psychological stress scale (PSM-25), modified Perceived devaluation-discrimination scale (Cronbach’s α=0.74) were used. Dispersion analysis with p-value=0.05 and Cohen’s d, Cramer’s V calculation (ES) performed.

In the 2nd phase medical stuff more often wore masks (64% vs. 89%; χ2=98.7, p=0.000, df=1; ES=0.23) and gloves (30% vs. 57%; χ2=57.6, p=0.000, df=1; ES=0.18), continued perform hand hygiene (94-95%) and physical distancing (73-74%), but was restricted in most effective protective measure: self-isolation (49% vs. 36%; χ2=16.0, p=0.000, df=1; ES=1.0). The psychological stress levels decreased in the 2nd phase (ES=0.13), while the stigma levels (ES=0.33) increased. Physicians experienced more stress compared with nurses and paramedical personnel (ES=0.34; 0.64) but were less likely to stigmatize SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals (ES=0.43; 0.41). The highest rates of contacts with COVID-19 patients (83%) were reported by physicians (χ2=123.0; p = 0.00, df=4; ES=0.28).

Direct contact with SARS-Cov-2 is associated with a significant increase in stress among medical personnel. However, the stigmatizing reactions are not directly associated with the risks of infection and are most prevalent among nurses and paramedical personnel.

As disorders of thought, delusions are modified by patients’ background, and so their content varies widely according to location and throughout the ages. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown its global impact on society and mental health of the population, thus becoming a new delusional topic.

We report a case where the COVID-19 pandemic has been integrated into a patient’s delusion in an attempt to raise professional awareness for this new psychotic presentation.

Review of clinical notes and literature review.

A 38-year-old female patient with no prior psychiatric history presented with psychotic symptoms characterized by self-referential ideas, feelings of guilt and delusions of ruin, with a sudden onset of less than 24 hours prior to observation. The patient claimed that she was the coronavirus and, as such, she was a common topic of conversation in both television and social media, and the reported deaths caused by COVID-19 were her own doing. As a result of this, the patient was asking doctors to kill her in order to save everyone else affected by the virus. After evaluation, a diagnosis of Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorder was considered. The patient was initially treated with paliperidone, but due to hyperprolactinemia and menstrual changes this was switched to aripiprazole. Symptoms remitted fully after 21 days of treatment, and six months later no recurrences have been described.

This case illustrates the potential of the coronavirus pandemic outbreak as a new delusional topic. Possible side effects of treatment are also discussed.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has disrupted the lives of countless people worldwide. The pandemic has imposed a sense of uncertainty and anxiety, as the world could not predict or prepare for this crisis. It is important to study risk factors, including employment, marital status, and pre-existing medical or psychiatric conditions to effectively handle this pandemic’s mental health impact.

We aim to evaluate factors contributing to the suicides and mood disorders during the coronavirus pandemic.

We examined MeSH terms “COVID-19” in the context of “Mood Disorders,” “Suicide,” “Suicidal Ideation,” “Assisted or Suicide, Attempted or Suicide,” “Risk Factors.” We identified eight case studies for the qualitative synthesis per the PRISMA guidelines, searching Medline, PubMed, PubMed Central, and PsychInfo databases until August 2020.

We identified that the population of all age groups and sex are at risk of stress and mental illness due to the pandemic. Several factors are attributed to the increased risk of mood disorders and suicide. Not having pre-existing psychiatric or medical condition is not a protective factor, since suicide was attempted or committed due to external factors such as economic and social.

The pandemic has increased the risk of mood disorder and suicides in the population. Focus should be on the behavioral and psychological first aid to curb stress.

The rapid spread of coronavirus has forced the healthcare systems in Tunisia to reorganize its structures, thus mobilizing all caregivers. Their professional and emotional burden was put to the test.

To evaluate the level of anxiety and to study coping strategies among caregivers during this pandemic.

A cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study among150 caregivers in two hospitals in Sfax in Tunisia; during April 2020. We used anonymous questionnaire, the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale(STAI) to assess tension felt at anxiety-producing situations; and the Coping Inventory Scale for Stressful Situations (CISS): to assess coping strategies.

The average age was 30.33± 6,93 years and the sex-ratio M/W = 0,29. Caregivers followed the news of this pandemic with these means of communication: 96% Facebook, 80%TV. The increase of the time spent in front of media:84% Sleep disorders were present in 64.7%: insomnia (36%), chopped sleep(34%). Caregivers used sleeping pills in 12% of case. STAI: The mean ascore =48.85 and a high anxiety level was noted in72% of case. CISS: Task-oriented coping strategies : a mean score= 47.90 and Emotion-centered coping : a mean score = 40,49 High anxiety was correlated with: age>40 years old (p=0.042). The increase of the time spent in front of media, chopped sleep and use of sleeping pills are correlated respectively (p= 0,043, p=0,003, p=0,003) with an emotionally focused coping strategy.

Health professionals had a painful psychological experience with significant anxiety. Strengthening prevention strategies, management of health crises should be a priority of our health-system.

During the pandemic state, college students are exposed to additional stressful factors, including but not limited to: fear of being infected; fear of infecting a significant person; deal with a new reality of economic uncertainty; challenges of distance education; new rules in face-to-face classes; restrictions on access to internships and higher demanding in internships.

This exploratory study aims to assess levels of anxiety and the perception of the need for support of students of a Portuguese Higher Education Institution (HEI).

An exploratory study was developed, on the return of students to the presential classes after the academic lockdown. It was spread out an email for all students with a link for an online form, which includes sociodemographic questions, a screening question of the anxiety level, and the need for support level (rating scales 0-10).

It was obtained 36 answers from mostly female students (92%) with 17 to 21 years old (67%). Answers present an average anxiety level of 5.4 (Min=1; Max=9; SD=2.23), with 58% of answers with a score of anxiety level of 5 or higher. The need for support average was 3.7 (Min=1; Max=9; SD=2.23), with 33% of answers with a score of 5 or higher.

It is necessary to continuously monitor the anxiety level and the need for support of college students during the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic. It is similarly relevant to have responses of HEI to promote mental health and to answer to the high levels of students’ anxiety and needs for support during the pandemic.

Cyberchondria involves excessive and uncontrollable online searching of information about a perceived illness. This behavior can cause or maintain distress.

Little is known about cyberchondria during the COVID-19 pandemic or how cyberchondria in one individual may cause distress in their significant other if they are self-isolating together; our study sought to fill these gaps.

We conducted a Qualtrics Panel survey with 760 cohabitating Canadian couples; in June 2020, participants retrospectively reported on their cyberchondria behavior, general anxiety, and COVID-19 fears during the month of April 2020, while adhering to stay-at-home advisories. Two separate actor-partner interdependence models (APIMs) used cyberchondria excessiveness and compulsion to predict generalized anxiety and COVID-19 danger/contamination fears in the actor and partner.

Both cyberchondria excessiveness and compulsion were associated with higher general anxiety and higher COVID-19 danger/contamination fears in the individual (actor effects). Partner cyberchondria compulsion was associated with higher general anxiety in the individual whereas partner cyberchondria excessiveness was associated with higher COVID-19 danger/contamination fears in the individual (partner effects).

Findings suggest that excessive and uncontrollable searching of information about COVID-19 on the internet during lockdown may contribute to distress in both the individual engaging in the cyberchondria behavior, and in their romantic partner. Moreover, different aspects of cyberchondria in the partner (compulsion vs. excessiveness) appears to contribute to general vs. COVID-19-specific anxiety/fears in the partner, respectively. Future research should examine mechanisms underlying the observed partner effects (e.g., co-rumination, social contagion) and reasons for the differential partner effects of cyberchondria components.