摘要：Many studies show an increase in distress and anxiety in the general population since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Chronic psychosocial stress is associated with alterations in associative fear learning, which, in turn, increases the risk of developing pathological anxiety and affects coping with traumatic events. Thus, it is crucial to investigate how COVID-19- related distress and anxiety might affect fear conditioning processes. In this symposium, three experimental studies will be present on this issue, providing first insights into mechanisms of fear learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Baas presents findings from a pilot study examining if higher fear of COVID-19 is related to the maladaptive fear acquisition and extinction patterns. Thereafter, Hauck et al. will expand on this issue by reporting on the relationship of COVID-19-related fear and the generalization of fear in a fear conditioning paradigm using aversive film clips. Finally, Friesen et al. will report findings from a study, investigating COVID-19-related distress as a predictor for associative fear learning and analog symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder. The symposium will be concluded with a summary of the presented findings and a general discussion on implications for clinical practice.
