This study aimed to examine the extent to which various socio-demographic variables (age, gender,
working as a health professional, employment status, coronavirus infection, financial status, living situation) and positive and negative emotions predict perceived stress during the lockdown in COVID-19 as well as to investigate the first post-lockdown activities people wanted to engage in. We surveyed 663 adults from Turkey, with the majority being female [N=452, 68.2%; median age=27 (ranged between 18-
71)]. Participants completed an online survey consisting of the perceived stress scale (PSS), positive and negative affect scale (PANAS) and demographic information questionnaire. Additionally, they responded to an open-ended question asking participants to determine which activity they would like to engage in first when the lockdown ends. Descriptive, hierarchical regression and content analysis were utilized.
Findings showed that age, gender, unemployment and coronavirus infection in the first model; the positive and negative affect added in the second step significantly predicted stress. Younger, women, unemployed and participants with coronavirus infected had higher stress than older, men, employed, and the ones who were not infected or have doubt about coronavirus infection. Positive affect negatively and negative affect positively predicted perceived stress. The model accounted for 44% of perceived stress during the lockdown. Regardless of age group and gender, meeting friends/lovers, enjoying being outside, traveling/having a holiday and enjoying nature were the main activities listed that participants wanted to engage in following the lockdown.