Investigating the correlation between perceived stress and health anxiety with obsessive–compulsive disorder and quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between perceived stress and health anxiety with obsessive–compulsive symptoms and quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in the general public in Isfahan and Bandar Abbas. 559 citizens were selected by convenience sampling. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data, which consisted of: short health anxiety inventory, perceived stress scale, world health organization quality of life questionnaire and Padua inventory. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-24 and Amos-21. RESULTS: There were significant positive correlations between health anxiety and perceived stress (r = 0/338), obsessive–compulsive symptoms and perceived stress (r = 0/16), obsessive–compulsive symptoms and health anxiety (r = 0/344). Also there were significant negative correlations between obsessive–compulsive symptoms and quality of life (r = − 0/21), health anxiety and quality of life (r = − 0/366), perceived stress and quality of life (r = − 0/715). CONCLUSION: health anxiety and perceived stress during COVID-19 affect the obsessive–compulsive symptoms and quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended to pay attention to these psychological disorders during this global crisis and take actions to prevent and treat them.