Comparing Health Literacy, Health Anxiety and Coping Strategies of Nursing and Child Development Students

Abstract

Abstract Objective This study addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both physical and mental well-being, focusing on health literacy, health anxiety levels, and coping mechanisms among students enrolled in nursing and child development programs at Istanbul Gelisim University. Methods Recognizing potential disparities in medical knowledge, the research encompasses nursing and child development students. The assessment tools employed include the Turkish versions of the Health Anxiety Inventory, COPE Inventory, and Turkish Health Literacy Scale (TSOY-32). Results Between September 2022 and December 2022, a total of 357 students participated in the research, with 49.3% (n = 174) enrolled in Child Development. Predominantly female (83.7%, n = 295), students from both departments displayed no significant differences concerning health anxiety and health literacy. However, the nursing group exhibited notably higher employment of denial and humor coping strategies. Coping strategies with the most considerable impact on health anxiety encompassed positive reinterpretation, emotional release through focus and ventilation, denial, and humor. Conclusion Findings from the study indicate comparable levels of health literacy across departments, albeit with variance based on academic level. The divergence in coping strategies is attributed to the demographics and social characteristics of the sample population, coupled with their age.