The Relationship Between Fear Levels, Perception of Control, And Avoidance Attitudes in Individuals Under Suspicion of COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of coronavirus and disease-related anxiety, assess the levels of perceived control and avoidance behaviors in individuals under suspicion of COVID-19 at the Chest Diseases Clinic, and investigate the relationship between disease-related anxiety, perception of control, and avoidance behaviors. Material and Methods: This study employed a descriptive and cross-sectional correlational design. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews with individuals admitted to the hospital due to suspicion of COVID-19 and willing to participate in the study. The data collection tools used in the study were the sociodemographic data form, the Coronavirus Fear Scale, the Perception of Control over COVID-19 Scale, and the Avoidance Attitudes related to COVID-19 Scale. Statistical analyses of the collected data were performed using the SPSS version 23.0. Results: A total of 135 individuals participated in the study, of whom 63 were female, and 38,5% were aged 65 and above. The results showed a positive and statistically significant correlation between the scores of the COVID-19 Fear Scale and the Cognitive Avoidance sub-dimension of the COVID-19 Avoidance Attitudes Scale. Additionally, there was a negative and statistically significant correlation between the scores of the COVID-19 Fear Scale and the Personal Control sub-dimension of the Perception of Control over COVID-19 Scale (p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant correlation between the COVID-19 Fear Scale and the Behavioral Avoidance Attitude, Macro Control Perception, and Controllability sub-dimensions (p>0.05). Conclusions: The study revealed that as the fear levels related to COVID-19 increased in individuals under suspicion, their avoidance attitudes towards COVID-19 also increased, while their perception of control decreased. During the pandemic period, it is considered crucial for healthcare professionals to provide information to individuals, not only regarding physical health issues but also to evaluate their psychosocial status. In this context, it is recommended that training be provided on coping with stress, instilling hope, and crisis management in order to support individuals' physical and mental well-being; that interventions such as psychological counseling and support groups be implemented for individuals who have been psychosocially affected by the pandemic; and that studies be conducted to examine the effectiveness of these interventions in order to contribute to the literature.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• FEAR
• SENSE OF CONTROL
• AVOIDANCE

COVID-19 Şüphesiyle Takip Edilen Bireylerin Korku Düzeyleri, Kontrol Algısı ve Kaçınma Tutumları Arasındaki İlişki

Öz

ÖZ Amaç: Bu çalışmada, Göğüs Hastalıkları Kliniği’nde COVID-19 şüphesi taşıyan bireylerde koronavirüsle ilişkili korku, kontrol algısı ve kaçınma tutumlarını değerlendirmek ve bu değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiyi değerlendirmek amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel ilişki arayıcı tipte olan çalışma, katılmayı onaylayan bireylerle, yüz yüze görüşme yoluyla veri toplanmıştır. Veri toplama araçları arasında sosyodemografik veri formu, Koronavirüs (COVID- 19) Korkusu Ölçeği, COVID-19’un Kontrolü Algısı Ölçeği (PCo-VCOVID-19), COVID-19’dan Kaçınma Tutumları Ölçeği (AA-COVID-19) yer almıştır. İstatistiksel analizler SPSS 23.0 ile yapılmıştır. Bulgular: Çalışmaya katılan 135 bireyin 63’ü kadın, %38,5’i 65 yaş ve üzerindedir. COVID-19 korku ölçeği ve COVID-19 Kaçınma Tutumları ölçeğinin Bilişsel Kaçınma alt boyutu puanları arasında pozitif yönlü istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde ilişki, COVID-19 Korku Ölçeği ve COVID-19 Kontrolü Algısı ölçeğinin Kişisel Kontrol alt boyutu toplam puanları arasında negatif yönlü anlamlı düzeyde ilişki olduğu, saptanmıştır (p<0.05). Ancak COVID-19 Korku Ölçeği ile Davranışsal Kaçınma Tutumu, Makro Kontrol Algısı ve Kontrol Edilebilirlik alt boyutları arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmamıştır (p>0,05). Sonuç: Katılımcıların korku düzeyleri arttıkça COVID-19’a yönelik kaçınma tutumlarının arttığı ve kontrol algılarının azaldığı görülmüştür. Sağlık profesyonellerinin yalnızca fiziksel sağlık konularında değil, bireylerin psikososyal durumlarını da değerlendirmesi önem arz etmektedir. Bu bağlamda, bireylerin fiziksel ve zihinsel iyilik hâlini desteklemek amacıyla stresle başa çıkma, ümit aşılama ve kriz yönetimi gibi eğitimleri verilmesi; pandemi nedeniyle psikososyal olarak etkilenen bireylere psikolojik danışmanlık ve destek grupları gibi müdahalelerin uygulanması; ayrıca literatüre katkı sağlamak için bu müdahalelerin etkililiğini inceleyen çalışmalar yapılması önerilmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• COVID-19
• KORKU
• KONTROL ALGISI
• KAÇINMA

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