ANXIETY AND AGGRESSION DURING SOCIAL DISTANCING IMPOSED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The relationship between anxiety and anger or aggressiveness is well known, and much is done at the level of each community and at a global level to prevent violence and other forms of aggression. The paper proposes an analysis of the manifestations of aggression, in conditions of heightened anxiety and physical social distance, imposed by legal measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to the associations between the variables prior to the pandemic, while patterns of social relating remain as internal values and less conscious connection with others. Depriving the person from the social support, which buffers the effects of existential isolation, the lack of activity and stimulation, the information in the media, and interpersonal conflicts tend to maintain or increase anxiety. In a correlational study we have investigated the associations of anxiety, state or trait, with different manifestations of anger, and its interior or exterior control. Furthermore, a qualitative study addresses the personal reactions and actions people have used to face the challenge of physical distancing and that of a possible infection. The article comes with alternatives such as mobilization of personal resources, creative expression, activities purposefully enhancing well-being, but also the tendency to rely on quality relationships for satisfying the affective and belonging needs, and avoidance of superficial ones, suggesting that social isolation allows people to be more emotionally aware and to focus more on the quality relating with self or others.

Keywords

• acceptance
• emotional awareness
• health worry
• quality relationships
• self-awareness