THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF COVID 19 ON MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Background: The COVID 19 pandemic has had significant psychological effects on university students as well as in all segments of society. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between education fields (medical-non medical), education styles (online-face to face), sociodemographic characteristics of university students and their levels of depression, anxiety, stress, fear of COVID-19. Subjects and methods: In the cross-sectional designed research, 1213 university students studying in Turkey was reached online. A sociodemographic form, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21) and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) was applied to the participants. Results: Of all participants 887(73%) were women. 647(53%) students were studying in the medical field. The scores of FCV-19S and all subscales of DASS 21 were significantly higher in women. In the comparison between the field and style of education, no difference was found. DASS 21 scores were higher in the participants whose relatives had COVID-19 or who had a mental disorder in the past or medical disease. Conclusions: In this study, it was observed that while there was no significant difference in the scores of DASS 21 among university students in terms of the field and style of education, variables such as gender, not having COVID-19 so far, having lost a relative due to COVID-19 could cause significant differences. Identifying sensitive groups will create early intervention opportunities.