Behind the masks: A cross-sectional study on intolerance of uncertainty, perceived vulnerability to disease and psychological flexibility in relation to state anxiety and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Early findings suggest the COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures negatively impact mental wellbeing. This study compared contribution relations of three factors to anxiety wellbeing during in June 2020. These were: i) Contextual (e.g. exposure COVID-19, being a keyworker, feeling lonely); ii) Cognitive appraisals: perceived vulnerability disease (PVD) intolerance uncertainty (IU); iii) psychological flexibility (PF). 603 participants aged 18 or older completed an online survey self-report measures. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated PVD, IU PF predicted state anxiety, Some, but not all contextual also The support cognitive appraisal theories model, lending acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) approach public health pandemics.