The Effect of Epidemic Anxiety on Perceived Stress Level in The Students of Sport Sciences Faculty: The Mediating Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the role of intolerance of uncertainty in the effect of pandemic anxiety on perceived stress levels among university students studying sports sciences. The study, designed using a survey model, included 605 sports science faculty students (359 male and 246 female). Data were collected using the Pandemic Anxiety Scale (PAS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUO). In analyzing the data, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was first performed to test the measurement model. Correlation tests and regression analysis based on the Bootstrap method were then applied to examine the study's hypotheses. The study found a positive relationship between PAS and PSS and IUO (Hypothesis I). According to the results of the regression analysis based on the Bootstrap method, it was determined that PAS had a significant effect on IUO. When a mediating variable was added to the model proposed in the study, it was found that PAS was a significant predictor of PSS. Additionally, when PAS was held constant, it was determined that IUO had a significant effect on PSS. Finally, it was determined that PAS has a significant indirect effect on PSS through IUO (Hypothesis II). The findings of the study indicate that controlling factors that create uncertainty is necessary for students to protect themselves from the stress caused by pandemic anxiety.

Keywords

• Mediating Effect
• Uncertainty
• Anxiety
• Stress

Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi Öğrencilerinde Salgın Hastalık Kaygısının Algılanan Stres Düzeyine Etkisi: Belirsizliğe Tahammülsüzlüğün Aracılık Rolü

Öz

Bu araştırma spor bilimleri alanında öğrenim göre üniversite öğrencilerinin salgın hastalık kaygılarının algıladıkları stres düzeylerine etkisinde belirsizliğe tahammülsüzlüğün rolünü incelemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. İlişkisel tarama modelinde tasarlanan araştırmaya, 605 spor bilimleri fakültesi öğrencisi (359 erkek ve 246 kadın) katılmıştır. Araştırmanın verileri, Salgın Hastalık Kaygısı Ölçeği (SHKÖ), Algılanan Stres Ölçeği (ASDÖ) ve Belirsizliğe Tahammülsüzlük Ölçeği (BTÖ) kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Verilerin çözümlenmesinde, ilk olarak ölçüm modelinin test edilmesi amacıyla doğrulayıcı faktör analizi yapılmıştır (DFA). Araştırmanın hipotezlerinin incelenmesinde ise, korelasyon testi ve Bootstrap yöntemini esas alan regresyon analizi uygulanmıştır. Araştırmada, SHK ile AS ve BT arasında pozitif yönlü ilişki tespit edilmiştir (Hipotez I). Bootstrap yöntemini esas alan regresyon analizi sonuçlarına göre, SHK’nın BT üzerinde anlamlı bir etki yarattığı belirlenmiştir Araştırmada öne sürülen modele aracı değişken eklendiğinde, SHK’nın AS’nin anlamlı bir yordayıcısı olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca SHK sabit tutulduğunda, BT’nin AS üzerinde anlamlı bir etkisinin olduğu belirlenmiştir. Son olarak, SHK’nın BT aracılığıyla AS üzerindeki dolaylı etkisinin (Hipotez II) anlamlı olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Araştırmada elde edilen bulgular, öğrencilerin salgın hastalık kaygılarının yarattığı stresten korunabilmelerinde, belirsizlik yaratan faktörlerin kontrol edilmesi gerektiğini işaret etmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Aracı Etki
• Belirsizlik
• Kaygı
• Stres

Kaynakça

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