COVID-19-Induced Anxiety and Covid-19 Precautionary Measures as Predictors of Mental Wellbeing of Nigerians

Abstract Introduction: The present study investigated the COVID-19-induced anxiety and Covid-19 precautionary measures as predictors of mental wellbeing of Nigerians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: By using a cross-sectional design methodology, 340 participants (58.2% males and 41.8% females) were selected through the snowball sampling technique. Their age ranged from 15 to 56 years (M=26.66; SD=6.485). Participants responded to the COVID-19-Induced Anxiety Questionnaire (C-19-IAQ), COVID-19 Precautionary Measures Questionnaire (C-19PMQ), and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). Results: Standard multiple regression analyses indicated that COVID-19 induced-anxiety and COVID-19 precautionary measures significantly predicted mental wellbeing [R= .082; R2 -.077;F (2,337) =15.096, P < .05]. However, only COVID-19 induced-anxiety [b= -.25, t (339)=-3.94,p < .05] independently predicted mental wellbeing. Conclusion: Based on these findings, the researchers recommended that mental wellbeing in the era of COVID-19 should be prioritized and given necessary attention by governments and other stakeholders. Information on COVID-19 should be structured in a manner that promotes health knowledge of the pandemic rather than inducing fear and anxiety. Individuals are also urged to engage in anxiety-reducing techniques which may help curb the rise of anxiety in these times of the COVID-19.