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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the COVID-19 information-seeking behavior (COVID-19 ISB) among parents in times of uncertainty and its potential association with anxiety symptoms.

Methods: Using a web-based cross-sectional survey, 306 self-selected parents participated in the study with complete responses towards the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale and COVID-19 ISB variables. Descriptive, correlation and regression analyses were applied.

Results: During the COVID-19 outbreak in Bahrain, about 18% of responding parents had moderate-severe anxiety symptoms (score≥ 10 on GAD-7). The mean GAD score was 5.76±4.7. Generally, females scored a mean of (6.84±4.8), which is higher than males (4.41±4.3),(t [304]=-4.59, p˂. 001). Participants’ utmost priority, when they sought COVID-19 information, was to know about “how to apply a proper self-quarantine”. The most relied on source for COVID-19 information was “social media accounts of health organizations”. The most restricting obstacles for seeking COVID-19 information were the “spread of rumors” and the “massive information about the disease”. The frequency of exposure to COVID-19 information was significantly associated with GAD (r [304]= 0.25, p˂. 001). 75% of participants were satisfied with the current possibilities of acquiring COVID-19 information. This factor of satisfaction was an independent predictor for GAD, OR: 4.2 [95% CI 2.2-7.8], p˂ 0.001.

Conclusion: The patterns and characteristics of parents’ COVID-19 ISB have the potential to influence the severity of anxiety symptoms among parents and vice versa. During epidemics …