Professional paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2025.194

Anxiety, stress and psychological resilience among the general population in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic

Seval Bekiroğlu ; Baskent University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Social Work, Etimesgut Ankara, Turkey
Arzu İçağasioğlu Çoban ; Baskent University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Social Work, Etimesgut Ankara, Turkey
Seda Attepe Özden ; Baskent University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Social Work, Etimesgut Ankara, Turkey
Beyza Yılmaz ; Baskent University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Social Work, Etimesgut Ankara, Turkey
Selin Koçak ; Baskent University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Social Work, Etimesgut Ankara, Turkey
Mustafa Agah Tekindal ; İzmir Katip Çelebi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, İzmir, Turkey

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has produced a global public health crisis unprecedented in a century. The aim of this
study was to analyze the stress, anxiety and psychological resilience levels perceived by the Turkish society during the COVID-19
process and the variables that predict them in a multi-dimensional way.
Subject and methods: Between April 17th and April 30th 2020, a snowball sample of 888 Turkish people adults 18 years and
older by online survey company Qualtrics. Participants completed a structured questionnaire (28 questions), the Turkish version of The
Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).
Results: The level of stress perceived by the Turkish people is high, the level of anxiety is moderate, and their psychological
resilience is high. As the stress level of the people increases, their psychological resilience and anxiety levels decrease. The variables
that increase the stress level of the public and decrease psychological resilience; are decreasing age, seeing government measures as
inadequate, having to go out, not working, and quarantining someone around with suspicion or diagnosis of COVID-19. The variables
that increased the state anxiety level of the public were working as an employer, not being employed, decreasing income, and evaluating
the measures taken by the government as inadequate.
Conclusions: A transparent and informative attitude should be followed by the authorities in order to reduce the level of stress and
anxiety perceived by the public and to increase psychological resilience. Sustainable strategies, policies and practices should continue
to ensure maintaining the positive support of society to combat the pandemic.

Keywords

COVID-19 pandemic; Turkish society; stress; anxiety; psychological resilience

Hrčak ID:

335849

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/335849

Publication date:

1.9.2025.

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