Anxiety, stress and psychological resilience among the general population in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has produced a global public health crisis unprecedented in a century. The aim of this study was to analyze the stress, anxiety and psychological resilience levels perceived by the Turkish society during the COVID-19 process and the variables that predict them in a multi-dimensional way. Subject and methods: Between April 17th and April 30th 2020, a snowball sample of 888 Turkish people adults 18 years and older by online survey company Qualtrics. Participants completed a structured questionnaire (28 questions), the Turkish version of The Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: The level of stress perceived by the Turkish people is high, the level of anxiety is moderate, and their psychological resilience is high. As the stress level of the people increases, their psychological resilience and anxiety levels decrease. The variables that increase the stress level of the public and decrease psychological resilience; are decreasing age, seeing government measures as inadequate, having to go out, not working, and quarantining someone around with suspicion or diagnosis of COVID-19. The variables that increased the state anxiety level of the public were working as an employer, not being employed, decreasing income, and evaluating the measures taken by the government as inadequate. Conclusions: A transparent and informative attitude should be followed by the authorities in order to reduce the level of stress and anxiety perceived by the public and to increase psychological resilience. Sustainable strategies, policies and practices should continue to ensure maintaining the positive support of society to combat the pandemic.