THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COVID-19 FEAR, DEPRESSION, AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Spiritual values and spirituality are crucial in preventing mental issues such as depression and solitude in student life. In this descriptive research, we aimed to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 fear, depression and spiritual well-being in university students. It was a statistically significant difference between the department in which the students are educated and the total levels of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (p<0.05). As students' fear of COVID-19 increased, their psychological well-being scores decreased. Moreover, a statistically significant, moderate and negative relationship was observed between the COVID-19 fear scale and spiritual well-being levels (r=-0.495; p<0.001). It was determined that the 2nd-year students of the First and Emergency Aid Program who attended their clinical practice had higher depression levels and lower spiritual well-being levels compared to other departments. It may be recommended that university students participate in appropriate psychosocial programs aimed at depression and factors that negatively affect their mental health and that these factors be taken into account in school curricula.