The world has been under the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic for the last few months. While people may take many preventive behaviours to minimize the risk, very little is known about the factors that can increase preventive behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the effects of vulnerability, perceived risk, and fear on preventive behaviours of COVID-19.The study used a sample of 4,536 Turkish adults (M = 30.33 ± 10.95 years) recruited from 17 March through 1 April 2020. Vulnerability, perceived risk, fear, and preventive behaviours were measured with self-rating scales.Participants mostly engaged in avoidance of public transportation and frequent handwashing as preventive behaviours. Women had a significantly higher vulnerability to, perceived risk, and fear of new coronavirus compared to men. Correlation results indicated that age, gender, education level, vulnerability, perceived risk, and fear were related to preventive behaviours. Regression results demonstrated that vulnerability, perceived risk, and fear accounted for a significant amount of variance in preventive behaviours over and above the effects of demographic variables.The results suggest that vulnerability, perceived risk, and fear can significantly increase engagement in preventive behaviours during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The results have important implications for research and practice.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is currently a global health threat attributed to negatively affecting the mental health and well-being of people globally. The purpose of the present study is to examine the mediating role of optimism-pessimism and psychological inflexibility in the relationship of coronavirus stress with psychological problems among Turkish adults. The sample of the study included 451 adults (55% women). Participants mainly consisted of young adults with a mean age of 23.30 years, ranging from 18 to 65 years (SD = 6.97). A mediation model indicated that coronavirus stress had a significant predictive effect on optimism-pessimism, psychological inflexibility, and psychological problems. Further, optimism-pessimism and psychological inflexibility mediated the effect of coronavirus stress on psychological problems in adults. Lastly, optimism-pessimism predicted the psychological problems of adults through psychological inflexibility. These results elucidate our understanding of the role of mediators in coronavirus stress and psychological health problems. The findings are useful in terms of providing evidence for tailoring interventions and implementing preventative approaches to mitigate the psychopathological consequences of COVID-19. Based on the present findings, the potential utility of acceptance and commitment therapy is discussed within the context of COVID-19.

This study validated a 10-item COVID-19 Burnout Scale (COVID-19-BS) to measure burnout associated with COVID-19. Participants were 402 Turkish adults (76.4% female; Mean age ¼ 27.37 ± 8.90). Factor analytic approach yielded a one-factor solution, with high internal consistency reliability. Mediation analysis showed that COVID-19 stress predicted resilience and COVID-19 burnout. Resilience predicted COVID-19 burnout. The relationship between COVID-19 burnout and COVID-19 stress was partially mediated by resilience. Findings suggest that the COVID-19-BS is a psychometrically sound scale to measure burnout related to COVID-19. Findings also elucidate our understanding of the role of resilience in the relationship between stress and burnout related to COVID-19.

This study adapted an 8-item COVID-19 Perceived Risk Scale (CPRS) to assess COVID-19 related personal risk. The sample comprised 3,109 Turkish adults (49.98% males; Mean age ¼ 38.64 ± 10.40). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed a two-factor structure (cognitive and emotional dimensions), with satisfactory reliability. The subscales were correlated with severity and self-efficacy related to COVID-19 and mental health. Women reported higher levels of emotional risk, overall risk, and severity than men. Findings indicate that the CPRS is a psychometrically-sound scale for assessing COVID-19 related perceived risk. The scale can be used to assess people who are vulnerable to the risk of COVID-19.