Anxiety and Coping Attitudes in Medical School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Aim: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic process has affected individuals of all ages, from children to the elderly, both physically and mentally. This study aimed to determine the anxiety levels and coping attitudes of Medical Faculty students during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Material and Methods: A personal information form (containing questions about COVID-19), the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Coping Strategies Scale were applied online to the students (n=186) who volunteered to participate in the study, studying at the Faculty of Medicine. The scores of the scales were evaluated statistically. Results: The study included 186 participants consisting of 57% (n=106) females and 43% (n=80) males. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between trait anxiety scale score and emotion focused scale score (r=0.151 p=0.040). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between trait anxiety scale score and dysfunctional coping scale score (r=0.455 p<0.001). According to the simple linear regression analysis, a 1-unit increase in the trait anxiety scale score increased the dysfunctional coping scale score by 0.35 units. Conclusion: As seen in our study, an increase in anxiety levels leads to dysfunctional coping attitudes. Dysfunctional coping attitudes are among the reasons that lead people to mental illnesses. Therefore, goals should be determined to reduce the anxiety levels of future physicians and to increase their functional coping attitudes.