The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women's Mental Health in Turkey and What these Effects Suggest

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected societies and individuals in all aspects, including mental and physical health. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of COVID 19 pandemic on anxiety and depression levels and related factors in women. Methods: As a descriptive cross-sectional study, it was conducted with a total of 728 women between December 2020 and March 2021. Data were collected by Google survey using the descriptive information form, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: Having concerns about own health had a strong effect on coronavirus-related anxiety (p<0.001, η2 = 0.037) and the anxiety dimension of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (p<0.001, η2 = 0.098). Marital relationships had a strong effect on HADS depression dimension scores (p<0.001, η2 = 0.067). Conclusion: The younger women, those who had problematic marital relationship and those who were exposed to domestic violence had higher anxiety and depression scores. Relevant measures should be taken to reduce the concerns of more risky groups, especially women, in the health system and should be considered in future planning on this subject.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• anxiety
• depression
• women
• mental health

Türkiye'de COVID-19 Pandemisinin Kadınların Kaygı ve Depresyon Düzeylerine Etkisi ve Bu Etkilerin Önerdikleri

Abstract

Amaç: COVID-19 salgını, toplumları ve bireyleri zihinsel ve fiziksel sağlık da dahil olmak üzere tüm yönleriyle derinden etkilemişdir. Bu çalışmada COVID 19 pandemisinin kadınlarda anksiyete ve depresyon düzeylerine ve ilişkili faktörlere etkisini belirlemeyi amaçladık. Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı kesitsel çalışma olarak Aralık 2020- Mart 2021 tarihleri arasında toplam 728 kadın ile yapılmıştır. Veriler tanıtıcı bilgi formu, Koronavirüs Anksiyete Ölçeği (CAS) ve Hastane Anksiyete ve Depresyon Ölçeği (HADS) kullanılarak Google anket ile toplanmıştır. Bulgular: Kendi sağlığıyla ilgili kaygı duymanın, koronavirüs ile ilişkili kaygı (p<0,001, η2 = 0,037) ve Hastane Anksiyete ve Depresyon Ölçeği (HADS)'nin kaygı boyutu (p<0,001, η2 = 0,098) üzerinde güçlü bir etkisi olmuştur. HADS depresyon boyut puanları üzerinde evlilik ilişkilerinin güçlü bir etkisi vardı (p<0,001, η2 = 0,067). Sonuç: Daha genç yaştaki kadınların, evlilik ilişkisi sorunlu olanların ve aile içi şiddete maruz kalanların anksiyete ve depresyon puanları daha yüksekti. Başta kadınlar olmak üzere daha riskli grupların sağlık sistemindeki endişelerini azaltmak için gerekli önlemler alınmalı ve bu konuda gelecek planlamalarda dikkate alınmalıdır.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• anksiyete
• depresyon
• kadın
• ruh sağlığı

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