Coping with Stress While Awaiting Covid-19 Test Results: Survey of Israeli Air Force Personnel

Shirley Gordon, Dror Garbi, Shahar Ben Bassat, Shachar Shapira, Leah Shelf

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

belowThe uncertainty involved in the period of waiting for the COVID-19 test results often accompanied by anxiety. The purpose of the present survey was to examine the level of emotional distress among Air Force personnel awaiting COVID-19 test results. The survey included 284 participants, 62% male (mean age = 24.3, SD = 7.61). Participants received an online questionnaire that covered the following topics: type of isolation (e.g., home, military unit, a military inpatient facility); COVID-19 status (e.g., awaiting testing, tested); a self-evaluation questionnaire of health, and a Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7). At the time of the survey, over 50% were waiting to be tested or to receive the test results. The degree of distress was higher in the group that was in isolation at home than at a military medical facility. Women had higher levels of anxiety than men. Soldiers in compulsory military service had higher levels of distress than career personnel. The isolation environment provided in a military facility had a beneficial effect on the soldiers’ mental state. An accumulation of several stressors such as the operation assignments and the marital and financial status may increase the likelihood of distress.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)357-367
Number of pages11
JournalMilitary Behavioral Health
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • anxiety
  • isolation
  • military personnel
  • stress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • General Psychology

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