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SINGAPORE – The impact of the current coronavirus pandemic has caused anxiety among three out of four Singaporeans and permanent residents, according to a study by marketing communications agency Wunderman Thompson.
Results of the study, which surveyed 500 respondents between June 29 and July 6, were released on Thursday (September 24).
The economy, which has taken a big hit following the Covid-19 outbreak here, was the main cause of anxiety among those surveyed.
Singapore’s economy contracted 13.2 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, the worst on record.
About 78 percent of those who participated in the study said they were anxious about economic troubles, with a majority concerned about issues such as unemployment rates and the current state of the economy.
Among young people ages 18 to 24, their main concerns were finding jobs that matched their abilities, and graduates faced difficulties in finding work, the survey showed.
Health concerns also ranked high on the list of causes of anxiety, with 73 percent of those surveyed saying they were concerned about such issues.
Most of those who were concerned about health indicated they were anxious about global pandemic diseases, such as Covid-19.
When it comes to Covid-19, two main concerns predominated: fear of contracting the disease in public spaces and concern about long-term economic disruption from the consequences of the pandemic.
About 37 percent said they were upset that their family and friends contracted the coronavirus, as much as those who feared contracting it themselves in shopping malls or public places.
Thirty-six percent were afraid of catching Covid-19 on public transportation, while about 33 percent feared getting infected while in a taxi or transportation vehicle.
On the economic disruption caused by the pandemic, 40 percent were concerned that it would drag on for a long time. A similar percentage feared the economy would collapse, while 30 percent were eager to lose their jobs.
Chen May Yee, Apac director at Wunderman Thompson Intelligence, said: “Different groups are anxious about different things, but what is clear is that people are anxious on multiple levels. There is the daily stress of worrying whether eating out is risky. or if their job is safe, (people) are also looking at the economy in general and preparing for what is to come. “
Leadership and wellness coach Nitya Rao-Perera said dealing with those fears is important, as being anxious can lead to a number of different conditions, such as depression or burnout.
“People who do not have a history of mental health disorders can also fall into the group of being vulnerable to anxiety disorders, or higher levels of anxiety. What can innocently surface as feelings of hopelessness, indecision or insecurity, can lead to something more complicated, “he said.
She shared three main strategies for dealing with anxiety arising from Covid-19.
First, you need to strengthen self-efficacy, the feeling that you are in control of your life and that you are acting.
This means focusing on the things that are under a person’s control, rather than the things that they cannot control.
“Covid-19 is not under our control. The way the economy is performing is not, the health of certain industries is not under our control. But how we handle ourselves, how we react, all of that is under our control. Self-efficacy is the first and probably the most important coping resource for overcoming anxiety, “he said.
Second, there is the need to remember that the most important lessons in life are usually learned at the worst times.
“The more we take the stance that it is okay to learn from the mistakes we make … we can bring more reflection to our way of being and be more compassionate to ourselves,” said Ms. Rao-Perera.
Finally, it is important to rethink the interpretation of a situation to perceive it in a more positive way.
For example, if someone does not receive a promotion due to Covid-19, they can see it as an opportunity to be less stressed or have more time for themselves, said Ms Rao-Perera, adding: We can interpret the situations we live in, and how we interpret them reflects the anxiety we will have. “
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