Family Process and Content Factors Predicting COVID-19 Anxiety and Self-Care Behaviors in Adolescents

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the role of family process and content factors in predicting coronavirus anxiety and self-care behaviors during the COVID-19 outbreak in adolescents of Iran. Methods: The present study was a descriptive correlational study. Five hundred Iranian adolescents aged 14 to 18 were selected through the voluntary sampling method. Self-Report Family Process Scale, Self-Report Family Content Scale, Corona Disease Anxiety Scale, and Corona Disease Self-care Behavior Questionnaire were used. Results: Pearson correlation and multivariate regression (stepwise method) were used to analyze the data. The results of the stepwise regression analysis showed that decision-making/problem-solving (B = –0.17), and coping skills (B = 0.11), could significantly predict 0.16 of COVID-19 anxiety. In addition, coping skills (B = 0.19), communication skills (B = 0.14), and family cohesion/respect (B = 0.11) could predict 0.29 of self-care behaviors. Regression analysis also showed that job, education (B = –0.17), and time spent together (B = 0.12) could predict 0.20 of COVID-19 anxiety. Furthermore, facilities (B = –0.3/92) could predict 0.20 of self-care behaviors. Conclusions: We can conclude that changes in process and content factors of the family are associated with changes in anxiety and self-care behaviors during the COVID-19 outbreak.