Over 2 thousand people from our country participated in the COH-FIT study conducted to measure the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic worldwide.
Participation is still ongoing. Participants aged 29-46 years were 63% female and 37% male. More than 1 in 3 respondents reported increased stress levels and feelings of loneliness related to the pandemic and the last two weeks prior. 82% of respondents reported an increase in the amount of time they spent on media, while about '% of respondents reported an improvement in helpful behavior. Participants reported that the most effective coping method was personal contact or interaction, exercise or walking, internet use, learning about COVID-19, taking up meaningful hobbies, media use, working or learning new information.
Üsküdar University is representing Turkey in the COH-FIT study, which is conducted worldwide to measure the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic. The study, which is conducted by the World Psychiatric Association, the European Institute of Psychopharmacology, the European Psychiatric Association in more than 40 countries all over the world, is carried out in our country by the team headed by Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz. Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz said that 100 thousand people from the world and over 2 thousand people from our country have participated in the ongoing study so far.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital AMATEM Coordinator and Psychiatry Specialist Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz said that the Common Results Study on health and functionality during the infection period (COH-FIT) is a large-scale international survey study for all populations of countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Noting that more than 200 researchers from over 40 countries took part in the project, Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz said that the research is open to everyone from all over the world.
Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz said, "The COH-FIT study, approved by many national and international official organizations, aimed to identify variable and immutable risk factors and protective measures to inform prevention and intervention programs for the entire population and vulnerable subgroups against COVID-19 and other outbreaks that may occur in the future."
Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz said, "The survey questions target information on demographic and socioeconomic status, physical and mental health, well-being, functionality, emotional/psychological, behavioral and environmental factors, access to health care, treatment compliance, telehealth, personal opinions on pandemic measures and individual coping methods."
First phase results for Turkey
Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz gave the following information about the preliminary results regarding our country in the first phase of the study:
-Over 2 thousand people from Turkey participated. Most of the participants were between the ages of 29-46. Although the average age was close, there were more female participants (63%) than male participants (37%).
Stress levels increased
The study also aimed to measure the psychosocial effects of this period. The psychological impact on stress, loneliness, anger and altruism (helping others, etc.) was observed. More systematically, more than 1 in 3 of the participants reported an increase in stress levels related to the pandemic period and the last two weeks prior to the pandemic, while a third reported a decrease. There were no significant differences between different age and gender groups in terms of stress increases and decreases.
Loneliness among adolescents increased
Regarding loneliness, 1 in 3 respondents reported an increase and only very few (<6%) a decrease in relation to the pandemic period and the last two weeks before. The results did not differ significantly between genders. The adolescent group showed a disproportionate increase in isolation (38%).
There is also an increase in feelings of anger
For anger, 29% of participants reported an increase and only very few (<9%) reported a decrease in relation to the pandemic period and the last two weeks prior. The vast majority of participants (63%) reported little or no change. Results between genders did not differ significantly, but the adolescent group showed a disproportionate increase in anger (34%).
There was an increase in helpful behavior
In terms of benevolent behavior, about 50% of respondents showed improvement, while 50% reported no change in their behavior. There were no significant differences between the results of gender and age groups.
44% are satisfied with the state
44% of respondents from Turkey were very satisfied with the measures taken by the government during the pandemic. There were no significant differences between the results of gender and age groups.
Time spent on social media increased
The study also found that participants used media for coping, with the majority of participants (82%) reporting an increase in time spent on media. There were no significant differences between the results of gender and age groups.
The best coping method: individual contact
For half of the respondents, the most effective coping methods were personal contact or interaction, exercise or walking, internet use, learning about COVID-19, taking up meaningful hobbies, media use, working or learning new information, while around a third reported social media/remote interaction, spending time with pets, religion/meditation/spirituality, working from home or at work.
Other coping methods (playing computer games, physical intimacy/sexual activity, prescription drug and substance use, etc.) were less frequently mentioned.
Men prefer exercise or walking
For men, the most effective coping methods were exercise or walking, receiving information about COVID-19 and direct individual contact or interaction.
Women choose individual interaction
For women, the most effective coping methods were direct personal contact or interaction, getting information about COVID-19, and learning or practicing something new.
For men, playing computer games and physical intimacy/sexual activity were more effective coping methods than for women, while for women, taking up a meaningful hobby, media use, social media/remote interaction, spending time with pets, taking prescription medication, working or learning something new or working from home or at work were more effective coping methods than for men.
Adolescents prefer group, individual contact
For the adolescent group, the most effective coping methods were direct individual contact or interaction, getting information about COVID-19, and working or learning something new.
For the middle-aged group, direct individual contact or interaction, getting information about COVID-19, and exercising or walking were the most effective coping methods. Receiving information about COVID-19 and exercising or walking were the most effective coping methods for older adults.
