Title: Scoping Review of COVID-19 Infection and the Post Diagnosis of Anxiety 

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous news and media outlets narrated an increase in mental health dilemmas. Studies varied from anxiety caused due to fear of catching the virus to if contracted how did the virus psychologically effect the person. In the studies, different areas of the population were examined, especially healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, and persons with comorbidities. The purpose of this research was to analyze sample sizes of participants testing positive for COVID-19 and then being diagnosed with anxiety in the general population.

Methods: The study design utilized for this research was a scoping review. The scoping review framework viewed and scanned the articles in PubMed in search of adults ages 18 and over, who tested positive for COVID-19 by a medical professional, who were diagnosed with anxiety in less than a year after testing positive for COVID-19, and were part of the general population (not classified to any subcategory, such as healthcare workers). This scoping review displayed or listed the characteristics, similarities, and/or differences in the studies containing the eligibility criteria. 

Results: A total of 455 articles appeared in the PubMed scan. After review of the items, 12 full-text published articles were used in the scoping review for analysis. Seven of the studies utilized prospective cohorts as study designs, while half of the studies statistical measurements included some type of regression analyses. In many of the studies, males tend to be the higher percentage of the gender type. Plus, most of the of the studies occurred in China, while only two happened in the United States. 11 of 12 of the studies reported their patients percentages of anxiety.

Conclusion: An association existed among persons testing positive for COVID-19 and then being diagnosed with anxiety. All 12 of the studies reported anxiety as an outcome. In order to apply predictive tools and effective treatment measures in the general population, more investigation and studies of independent variables, such as COVID-19, by psychologists, epidemiologists, and statisticians, will need to be evaluated on the dependent variable, anxiety. Future research includes parallel screening measurements and time durations from a participant testing positive for COVID-19 until being surveyed for anxiety.

Chair: Dr. Terri Pigott