EXAMINATION OF ANXIETY LEVELS AND STRESS COPING STYLES DURING EARLY STAGE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Objective: It is aimed to examine the anxiety levels and stress coping styles of individuals in the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 503 individuals, from 24 March to 25 April 2020. Data were collected online using Personal Information Form, State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI) and Stress Coping Styles Scale (SCSS). Descriptive and parametric tests were used to analyze the data. Results: Of the participants 72.4% were women and 56.9% were between the ages of 18-28. In the early period of COVID-19, 30.2% of the participants stated that they felt depressive and 30.4% felt anxious emotions. In addition, 57.7% of the participants went out of the house to shop. While the STAI mean scores of women were significantly higher than men, the SCSS Self-Confident approach and Optimistic approach subscale scores were found to be significantly lower. As there was a negative relationship between STAI and the Self-confident approach, Optimistic approach and Seeking social support subscales of SCSS, it was found that there was a positive relationship between the Desperate approach and Submissive approach subscales. Conclusion: It can be said that individuals experience depressive and anxious emotions, women experience more anxiety, and men use self-confident and optimistic approach-type coping styles more than women. In addition, in case of an epidemic, it was observed that individuals use desperate and submissive coping styles as their anxiety levels increase.