Poles are most afraid of loved ones, healthcare and financial crisis, coronavirus survey finds
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A new survey has found that the greatest concerns about coronavirus are loved ones falling ill, overcrowded healthcare and a financial crisis.
According to the report by Ariadna, the survey carried out by psychologists online on 1,098 people between March 23-24 showed that 73% were worried about loved ones, 72% about healthcare and 71% about the financial fallout.
Dr. Katarzyna Hamer from the Institute of Psychology of the Polish Academy of Sciences told PAP: “This is the first study in the series that we publish. We wanted to see how afraid people in Poland are and what they are afraid of in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. It turned out that the level of anxiety of Poles about 10 days after the introduction of restrictions is quite high.”
The study also shows that Poles are afraid that some people will not follow the recommendations and the virus will spread too quickly (75% respondents agreed with this statement) and people will panic (70%).
Dr. Hamer said: “One could expect that the people's biggest concern about the pandemic would be that they would get sick themselves. Paradoxically, that's not the case, even though 59% people are still afraid of that.”
A similar percentage of respondents are afraid of changing their lifestyle (59%). Relatively few people are afraid that stores will run out of necessary products (37%).
In addition, 26% said that their level of nervousness was sometimes close to panic - 44% respondents disagreed with the statement.
People over 55 are more afraid than any other age group that someone close to them will get sick (78%).
On the other hand, people aged 18-24 are the least afraid (below 42%) of infection.
The study also shows that the inhabitants of larger cities (over 20,000 inhabitants) are more afraid of overcrowded hospitals and inefficient healthcare than those living in small towns and villages.
Researchers plan to repeat the study time to see how the moods associated with the pandemic change.
Dr. Hamer said: “We don't have similar studies on isolation during a pandemic. But we know what happened to patients who were isolated in hospitals in the past. We know that in such conditions, anxiety, depressive symptoms, a sense of loneliness, even hostility increase, and a sense of control decreases. By analogy, we can expect a similar situation now, when so many people remain isolated.”
She added that people who find it difficult to cope with the current situation can get psychological help over the phone or online. Many psychotherapists now also conduct therapy sessions this way. Helplines and remote online crisis intervention are also available.
The survey was carried out by Dr. Maria Baran (SWPS University) and Dr. Marta Marchlewska (Institute of Psychology PAS).
(PAP)
Author: Ludwika Tomala
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