Exploring the Role of Social Connectedness and Health Anxiety in Predicting Psychological Well-being

Abstract

Background: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing was taken as one of the precautionary measure in India. Uncertainty about signs and symptoms, modes of transmission, and lack of definite treatment of COVID-19 have put the mental health of people in India at risk. This study was carried out to explore the role of connectedness, affiliation, and companionship factors of social connectedness and health anxiety in predicting psychological well-being and its components. Method: This study was carried out on 317 Indian adults recruited through convenience sampling method during July 2020 to November 2020. Hypotheses were tested using linear regression methods. Results: Companionship predicted 1.9% and 7.7% of variance in autonomy and environmental mastery, respectively. Affiliation predicted 6.7% variance in personal growth. Connectedness and companionship explained 26.8% variance of positive relationships with others and 16.1% of self-acceptance. Health anxiety predicted 6.3%, 6.8, 6.7%, 8.3%, and 9% variance of autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationship with others, and self-acceptance, respectively. Conclusion: “Connectedness” and “companionship” were the significant predictors of “positive relationships with others” and “self-acceptance.” “Companionship” predicted “autonomy” and “environmental mastery,” whereas “personal growth” was predicted by “affiliation.” Health anxiety predicted all domains of psychological well-being except purpose of life.