The Impact of Global Issue ( COVID-19) on Dentists’ Perceived Threat and Social Support

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 global event has affected human resources psychologically, behaviorally, and economically. In this study, the relationship between the effects of the COVID-19 event and perceived threat and social support was investigated based on the perceptions of dentists.

Materials and Methods: The data were collected between December 1, 2020 and January 20, 2021 using an online questionnaire (n= 422). The dentists were queried about perceived threat and perceived social support in relation to COVID-19.

Results: A significant relationship was found between the COVID-19 event and perceived threats such as the fear of infection, high-risk jobs, stigmatization, and distancing. A significant relationship was also found between the COVID-19 event and perceived social support.

Conclusion: Ensuring their working conditions are more protective against COVID-19 can reduce dentists' fear of infection and perception of high job risk as well as perceptions of stigmatization and distancing. In addition, social support practices can be implemented during the pandemic to help dentists to be more motivated and provide better service.  

Keywords

• COVID-19
• dentistry
• perceived social support
• perceived threat

Küresel Bir Olayın (COVID-19) Diş Hekimlerinin Algıladığı Tehdit ve Sosyal Destek Üzerindeki Etkisi

Öz

Amaç: COVID-19 küresel olayı insan kaynaklarını psikolojik, davranışsal ve ekonomik olarak etkilemiştir. Bu çalışmada, diş hekimlerinin algılarına dayalı olarak COVID-19 olayının etkileri ile algılanan tehdit ve sosyal destek arasındaki ilişki araştırılmıştır.

Materyal ve Metot: Veriler, 1 Aralık 2020 ile 20 Ocak 2021 tarihleri ​​arasında çevrimiçi bir anket (n= 422) kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Diş hekimlerine COVID-19 ile ilgili olarak algılanan tehdit ve algılanan sosyal destek hakkında sorular sorulmuştur.

Bulgular: COVID-19 olayı ile enfeksiyon korkusu, yüksek riskli işler, damgalanma ve uzaklaşma gibi algılanan tehditler arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur. COVID-19 olayı ile algılanan sosyal destek arasında da anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur.

Sonuç: Çalışma koşullarının COVID-19'a karşı daha koruyucu olmasını sağlamak, diş hekimlerinin enfeksiyon korkusunu ve yüksek iş riski algısının yanı sıra damgalanma ve mesafe koyma algılarını azaltabilmektedir. Ayrıca, pandemi sürecinde diş hekimlerinin daha motive olmalarına ve daha iyi hizmet vermelerine yardımcı olmak için sosyal destek uygulamaları hayata geçirilebilir.  

Anahtar Kelimeler

• COVID-19
• Algılanan Sosyal Destek
• Algılanan Tehdit
• Diş Hekimliği

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