Excessive media consumption about COVID-19 is associated with increased state anxiety: Outcomes of a large online survey in Russia (Preprint)

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has potentially had a negative impact on the mental health and well being of individuals and families Anxiety levels and risk factors within particular populations are poorly described OBJECTIVE: To evaluate confidence, understanding, trust and concerns and levels of anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in general population and assess risk factors for increased anxiety METHODS: We launched a cross-sectional online survey a large Russian population between 6th and 15th April 2020 using multiple social media platforms A set of questions targeted confidence, understanding, trust and concerns in respondents State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to measure anxiety Multiple linear regressions were used to model predictors of COVID-19 related anxiety RESULTS: The survey was completed by 23,756 out of 53,966 unique visitors (44 0% response rate);21,364 of who were residing in 62 areas of Russia State anxiety (S-Anxiety) scores were higher than Trait anxiety (T-Anxiety) across all regions of Russia (median S-Anxiety score 52 [IQR 44-60]), exceeding published norms Time spent following news on COVID-19 was strongly associated with an increased S-Anxiety adjusted for baseline anxiety level One to two hours spent reading COVID news was associated with 5 46 (95%CI 5 03-5 90) point difference, 2-3 hours 7 06 (6 37-7 74) and more than three hours 8 65 (7 82-9 47), respectively;all compared to less than 30 minutes per day Job loss during pandemic was another important factor associated with higher S-Anxiety scores (3 95 [3 31 - 4 58]) Despite survey respondents reporting high confidence in information regarding COVID-19, as well as understanding of healthcare guidance, they reported low overall trust in state and local authorities and perception of country readiness CONCLUSIONS: Among Russian respondents from multiple social media platforms, there is evidence of higher levels of state-anxiety associated with recent job loss and increased news consumption, as well as lower than expected trust in government agencies These findings can help inform development of key public-health messages to help reduce anxiety and raise perceived trust in governmental response to this current national emergency Using similar methodology, comparative surveys are ongoing in other national populations