Social Support Promotes Mental Health During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study from Turkey

Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) has several negative effects on mental health, given its rapid transmission, hygiene and isolation measures and associated social and financial difficulties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mental health burden of the Turkish population and vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 outbreak, especially exploring the effects of social support.

We assessed depression, anxiety, stress symptoms and perceived social support among 894 people all over Turkey, using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) two months after the declaration of the first COVID-19 case in Turkey.

According to DASS-21 subscale scores, the findings showed that the prevalence of moderate to severe depression, anxiety and stress-related symptoms was 24.8%, 21.9% and 12.6%, respectively. Female gender, being single, having a lifetime psychiatric disorder, lower education level and financial concerns were significantly associated with higher DASS-21 scores. Also, there was a negative correlation between all subgroups of perceived social support, especially from the family, and the total DASS-21 score.

Vulnerable groups should be identified and protected to reduce adverse psychiatric outcomes of COVID-19. Besides, further strategies should be provided to maintain protective factors, such as social support, under stressful conditions.