Page 77 - JCBP-3-3

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Emotional effects of COVID-19 memories

The present study found that memories of panic buying
were associated with elevated levels of EDA and were rated
as the second highest stressor associated with anxiety by the
participants. This may be because individuals, particularly
those from Westernized societies, may not have previously
encountered situations in which they were forced to deal
with shortages of food and empty store shelves. This
lack of prior experience may contribute to the anxiety
associated with this COVID-19 stressor. Our results also
resonate well with research connecting shortages in the
supermarkets, during the pandemic, to poorer mental
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Figure 3. Gender differences in EDA response to COVID-19 memories health and elevated anxiety. In addition, posts on social
Note: Figure 3 represents EDA in response to COVID-19-related media regarding shortages of certain items may also have
memories for males and females. Error bars represent the 95% confidence contributed to elevated levels of anxiety. Given that young
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intervals. adults consume more social media content than other
generations, this may also explain their elevated arousal
4.1. EDA and self-report levels in response to this stressor. To mitigate the impact
According to the results of the present study, significant of this stressor in future pandemics, it is recommended
differences were observed in EDA in response to that more transparent communication regarding food
COVID-19 memories and self-reported anxiety related supply be implemented. This could include providing
to the stressors of the pandemic. As depicted in Figure 2, accurate and timely information about the availability of
participants demonstrated the highest levels of EDA when food and other essential items, as well as efforts to dispel
recalling memories of changes to their daily routines and misinformation about shortages that may be circulating
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panic buying in supermarkets. on social media. Clear and transparent communication
can help to alleviate anxiety by providing individuals with
Conversely, the lowest EDA was elicited by memories of accurate information and a sense of control over their
loneliness. These differences in EDA were also consistent ability to access essential goods.
with self-reported data, as depicted in Figure 1.
We also found that loneliness was rated as the lowest
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant anxiety-causing stressor by participants and elicited
disruptions to individuals’ daily routines. Younger the lowest levels of EDA overall. This may be due to the
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generations are particularly vulnerable to experiencing fact that socializing during the pandemic often occurred
negative and long-lasting mental health effects due to online, which may have lessened the impact of loneliness.
changes in daily routines. Our results highlight, resonate In addition, younger generations may have been less
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well with, and confirm on a physiological level, findings affected by COVID- 19 and therefore less afraid to have
of previous research that examined disruptions to daily social contacts with their peers. Our findings appear to
routine during the pandemic. For example, Rodríguez-Rey differ from recent research suggesting that loneliness
et al. found that 57% of their participants reported that the played a major role in adverse mental health outcomes,
pandemic impacted their daily life significantly and they particularly in younger generations. 38,39
also reported worse mental health (including stress and However, it is important to note that our results suggest
anxiety) than those who did not report significant impact that although loneliness may play a role in worse mental health
on their daily routine. Cao et al. also found that disruptions outcomes compared to other pandemic-related factors, it may
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to daily routine of university students were significantly not be the most concerning for the examined generation. It is
associated with anxiety symptoms. Therefore, preparing possible that the results are specific to the population studied
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young adults to deal with changes in daily routines may and more research is needed to confirm the findings and to
help to mitigate pandemic-related negative mental health understand the factors that may have contributed to these
impacts. In addition, it is important to prioritize primary results. Nevertheless, a substantial body of evidence links
routines such as sleep, diet, and hygiene and adapt them to loneliness during the pandemic to heightened stress, anxiety,
new routines rather than completely altering them. This and depressive symptoms. 40-43 While loneliness may not have
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emphasis on primary routines can help individuals cope emerged as the most salient factor in this study, it remains
with the changing environment around them by providing a critical issue that warrants consideration in the context of
stability and consistency to the structure of their day. 34 future pandemic preparedness.

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 71 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.4825