Psychological Reactions of Different Affective Temperaments to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between affective temperaments and reactions during the pandemic that can be described as psychological trauma. Method: For this purpose, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, San Diego Autoquestionaire (TEMPS-A) were used. The scales were applied online to a total of 1075 volunteer participants (653 women and 422 men). Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the significance of temperament types in the prediction of depression, anxiety, and stress levels of individuals. The method employed was stepwise regression analysis. Results: In the data obtained, it was observed that depression, anxiety, and stress levels and anxious, cyclothymic, depressive, and irritable temperament types showed a positive correlation at different levels and a low level of negative correlation with hyperthymic temperament type during the pandemic process. Conclusions: The four aforementioned affective temperament types were significant predictors for depression, three were predictors for stress, and two for anxiety. Additionally, the results of this study indicated that hyperthymic temperament can be protective against the effects of trauma.

Keywords

• depression
• anxiety
• stress
• temperament
• COVID-19

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