Abstract

Background: India recorded its first case of COVID-19 on January 30, 2020, marking the onset of the first of many waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown to curb its spread was instituted on March 25, 2020. The overall situation was unprecedented and dystopian, with imminent mental health corollaries specific to different sociodemographic variables. Aim: The present study aimed to assess coronavirus-related psychological distress, fear of COVID-19, and Coronavirus reassurance-seeking behavior in healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: Consenting individuals were selected by convenience sampling from the community after the end of the second wave of COVID-19 in India. They were required to fill out a Google form online over one year, comprising basic sociodemographic details and the following scales: COVID-19-related psychological distress in healthy public (CORPD), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV- 19S), and Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale. The information was then charted, tabulated, and statistically analyzed.Results: A total of 229 persons were included in the study. COVID-related psychological distress and fear in the study population were similar to the levels in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Answers revealed that 37.1% of the subjects suffered from COVID-19, 25.7% had lost their close relative due to COVID-19, and 52.8% of candidates harmed their functionality. Most participants (94.3%) had taken preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The level of psychological distress predicted fear of COVID-19, Coronavirus reassurance seeking, age, adverse effects of the pandemic on functioning, and whether appropriate preventive measures were taken Fear of Coronavirus persisted even after the pandemic was over.

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Funding