Factors Related to Fear of COVID-19: A Questionnaire-Based Analysis

Introduction: Excessive fear during the COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to increased mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, the spread of misinformation, social panic, and discrimination. This study is a questionnaire-based analysis on factors related to the fear of COVID-19. Methods: Approximately 20,000 participants from an internet survey panel were selected to reflect Japan’s general population by age, gender, and residence. Surveys were conducted in October 2020 and January, April, July, and October 2021. Fear of COVID-19 was assessed using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), along with background information. High fear was defined as an FCV-19S score of 21 or above. After excluding invalid responses, 16,642 participants were included for the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted with fear of COVID-19 as an outcome. Results: Female gender, individuals in their 20s and 30s (compared to teens), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, reduced physical activity, recent symptoms of cough, sore throat, or fatigue, and decreased income were significantly associated with higher FCV-19S scores. Conversely, individuals in their 70s (compared to teens) and unmarried individuals (compared to those with spouses) showed a negative correlation. Additionally, a higher amount of savings correlated with lower fear levels. Conclusion: Identifying individuals prone to heightened fear during crises like pandemics could enable timely interventions to improve mental health and reduce societal disruptions. This approach may also apply to other emergencies, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, or terrorist attacks.