Md Zahir Ahmed

By Oli Ahmed, Md Zahir Ahmed, Zhou Aibao, Sohan Mia and Md Arif Uddin Khan

The present study was aimed to investigate the causes of COVID-19 worry and its effect on initial behaviors that observed in early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh. In the online survey, participants’ were asked about normative concerns, COVID-19 worry, initial behaviors, and the neuroticism personality trait. Results of the study demonstrated that (i) higher normative concerns and neurotic trait were predictors of higher COVID-19 worry; and (ii) higher normative concerns and COVID-19 worry significant predictors of buying preparatory materials, higher worry for postponing travel plan, and higher worry and neuroticism for purchasing daily commodities more than usual and difficulties in concentration.

Part of the book: Anxiety, Uncertainty, and Resilience During the Pandemic Period

By Md Zahir Ahmed

Mounting and multiple-direction evidence have implied the detrimental effect of loneliness on suicidal behavior. The problem has profoundly surfaced during the post COVID-19 pandemic period. The modern human race has a long and deep-rooted endeavor to combat loneliness since it often comes with stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, substance abuse, etc. Surprisingly, the discourse regarding the comorbidity of suicidal behavior, loneliness, along with different other mental health problems often remains disregarded. During the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, the physical, emotional, and financial losses accelerated different mental health problems, including suicidal behaviors. Most of the existing literature has focused on mental health consequences and suicidal behavior as an immediate outcome; however, a capful focused on the deep-rooted long-term effect of suicidal behavior as the consequence of pandemic-induced loneliness. Therefore, this chapter will endeavor to reveal the long-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health through the lens of suicidality. Afterward, the discussion will suggest effective intervention plans and community resilience strategies for combating loneliness and suicidal behaviors that surfaced as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Part of the book: Determinants of Loneliness [Working title]