Leiden University Student Repository

Timal, Amber (2021)

Neuroticism and COVID-19 Stress in relation to ObsessiveCompulsive Symptoms: The potential moderation effect of COVID-19 related stress on the relationship between neuroticism and obsessive-compulsive symptoms

Bachelor thesis | Psychologie (BSc)

Worldwide infectious disease outbreaks like the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with negative mental health consequences. Researchers found that patients with obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCS), scored higher on neuroticism. In stressful situations, for instance, during a pandemic, neurotic people might experience more stress. However, there is still not a lot of information about the relationship between neuroticism and OCS in the specific context of a pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the potential moderation effect of COVID-19 related stress (CSS) on the association between neuroticism and OCS. The Padua Inventory, Neuroticism Questionnaire and the COVID-19 Stress Scale were used to assess OCS, neuroticism and CSS, respectively, in a non-clinical convenience sample (N = 184). The results of this study suggest that neuroticism was significantly related to OCS (p = .002), but was not differentially related with OCS in different levels of CSS (p = .545). The theory of...Show moreWorldwide infectious disease outbreaks like the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with negative mental health consequences. Researchers found that patients with obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCS), scored higher on neuroticism. In stressful situations, for instance, during a pandemic, neurotic people might experience more stress. However, there is still not a lot of information about the relationship between neuroticism and OCS in the specific context of a pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the potential moderation effect of COVID-19 related stress (CSS) on the association between neuroticism and OCS. The Padua Inventory, Neuroticism Questionnaire and the COVID-19 Stress Scale were used to assess OCS, neuroticism and CSS, respectively, in a non-clinical convenience sample (N = 184). The results of this study suggest that neuroticism was significantly related to OCS (p = .002), but was not differentially related with OCS in different levels of CSS (p = .545). The theory of situational pressures sheds some light on how CSS actually might eliminate the relationship between neuroticism and OCS, which could potentially explain the insignificant moderation effect. Alternatively, the theory on psychological distance could explain how a quarantine and/or lockdown may have decreased CSS to the extent where individuals might exhibit less OCS. As significant mental health needs might emerge during the COVID-19 pandemic, knowledge about the potential impact of CSS on vulnerable individuals may be important in order to explain these mental health needs and to learn what to focus on in treatment.Show less

COVID-19 related stress

neuroticism

obsessive-compulsive symptoms

pandemic

quarantine

moderation analysis

Author

Timal, Amber

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Supervisors

Aksungur, S.U.

ECTS Credits

15

Evaluation

Recommended

Language

en