Frequency of Psychological Symptoms Associated with the COVID-19 Outbreak: Risk Factors and Protective Factors Associated with Exacerbation of Symptoms

Within the scope of the project, it is aimed to examine the frequency of symptoms related to a series of psychological disorders that can be observed in adults in Turkey during the COVID-19 epidemic and to identify the groups that may be at risk for developing psychological symptoms. In addition, it was aimed to examine the relationship between psychological symptoms, intolerance to uncertainty and cognitive flexibility variables and to evaluate possible protective and risk factor properties. The severity of anxiety, depression, somatization, negative self and hostility symptoms of a total of 3004 participants aged 18-75 from 76 cities in Turkey were evaluated and risk groups were determined by taking into account the changes in psychological symptom levels according to different socio-demographic variables. Accordingly, it has been determined that women, singles, those under the age of 30, those with low income and education level, those with a psychiatric diagnosis, and those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 are at risk of developing psychological symptoms during the pandemic period. Intolerance of uncertainty and cognitive flexibility were found to be important predictors of psychological symptom level, and it was revealed that psychological symptoms were positively related to intolerance of uncertainty and negatively related to cognitive flexibility. Another important finding of the study is that having cognitive flexibility has a protective effect against developing psychological symptoms. Cognitive flexibility was found to be a protective factor in the relationship between intolerance to uncertainty and psychological symptoms as a moderator variable, reducing the level of psychological symptoms and increasing psychological well-being. During the epidemic, it is very important to develop intervention programs for groups at risk, especially in terms of developing psychological symptoms. Due to the increasing need to reach resources that can be used for psychological difficulties during the epidemic process, online platforms and mass media should be used more for purposes such as information and guidance on mental health. Considering the importance of protective/preventive information and warning contents regarding mental health, an informative brochure on the impact of the epidemic on mental health was prepared within the scope of the project. The contribution of psychotherapies to the resolution of many psychological difficulties is known. Within the scope of the project, cognitive therapy methods such as cognitive restructuring that can be applied to increase cognitive flexibility and reduce intolerance to uncertainty, which attract attention as mental health protective factors, are thought to be effective intervention methods that can be used individually and as a group.