Age, not sex, predicts needle fear and life interference
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Caltabiano, Anna
Burke, Taylor
Nesi, Jacqueline
Di Simplicio, Martina
Van Zalk, Nejra
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Fear of needles is common and can impair health-related behavior, yet remains underexamined in adult populations. This study assessed symptom severity and life interference associated with needle fear in a UK sample (N = 396). Findings showed 77 % of participants reported life interference due to needle fear despite almost no formal diagnosis. Younger adults had higher severity, with no significant sex differences. These results suggest a need for broad, low-barrier interventions to reduce needle fear and improve public health outcomes like vaccine uptake.
Date Issued
2025-09-01
Date Acceptance
2025-09-02
Citation
Psychiatry Research Communications, 2025, 5 (3)
ISSN
2772-5987
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Psychiatry Research Communications
Volume
5
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
100226
Date Publish Online
2025-09-03