Predicting corona anxiety based on emotional schemas and personality traits in nurses

The high prevalence of corona disease has caused stress, anxiety, and distress in various groups, including medical personnel. Therefore, the aim of this study was to predict corona anxiety in nurses based on their emotional schemas and personality traits.

The present study was a descriptive-correlational research. The statistical population of the study consisted of all nurses in the treatment departmentof Markazi Province, Iran, 2019. Through convenience sampling method, 290 individuals (163 women and 123 men) were selected. Participants were assessed using the Corona Anxiety Scale, NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), and Emotional Schemas ‎Scale. The research data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and regression analysis in SPSS software.

The results of Pearson correlation analysis and stepwise regression showed that corona anxiety has a positive relationship with all emotional schemas, except poor consciousness. Moreover, it has a positive relationship with the psychological personality trait of neuroticism, and a significant negative relationship with openness to experience and agreeableness (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the emotional schemas of unfaithfulness, lack of perception, guilt, worthlessness, and the personality traits of neuroticism and empiricism (P < 0.01) were predictors of corona anxiety.

Based on the results, emotional schemas and personality traits are effective on corona anxiety and these variables can be considered in corona crisis conditions in nurses.