COVID-19 Risk Perceptions and Psychological Distress Levels of Nursing Students and Influencing Factors

Authors : Nülüfer Erbil, Gizem Yıldız, Hilal Gül Boyraz Yanık, Fatma Aksoy

Pages : 403-413

Doi:10.53490/egehemsire.1208144

View : 11 | Download : 4

Publication Date : 2024-12-18

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the COVID-19 risk perceptions, psychological distress levels of nursing students, and the affecting factors. Methods: The sample of the descriptive and cross-sectional study included 338 students from the nursing department of a university. Data were collected using the personal information form, COVID-19 Related Psychological Distress Scale and COVID-19 Perceived Risk Scale between 17 June-17 July 2021 via online. Ethics committee approval, institutional permission, and written consent from the students were obtained to conduct the research. Descriptive statistical methods, Kruskal Wallis test, Mann Whitney-U test, Spearman correlation analysis test and linear regression analysis test were used in the analysis of the data. Results: The mean score of the COVID-19 Related Psychological Distress Scale was found to be 39.61±8.75. It was determined that the mean total score of the COVID-19 Psychological Distress Scale was higher, and the differences were significant (p<0.05). The mean score of the students\\\' COVID-19 Perceived Risk Scale was 25.53±5.15. There was a significant difference in the mean scores of the sub-dimensions and total scores of the COVID-19 Perceived Risk Scale according to gender and class (p<0.05). Positive correlations were found between COVID-19 Related Psychological Distress Scale and COVID-19 Perceived Risk Scale total score (r=0.447), COVID-19 Perceived Risk Scale cognitive subscale (r=0.186) and COVID-19 Perceived Risk Scale emotional subscale (r=0.476). Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was determined that grade level and gender affected perceived risk and psychological distress in students. Fear-anxiety and suspicion were found to be predictors of perceived risk associated with COVID-19. It is recommended that psychological support trainings should be given to students who have just started their education in the nursing department and health professionals should conduct further studies on the psychological status of nursing students.
Keywords : hemşirelik öğrencisi, COVID-19, psikolojik sıkıntı, risk