The Emotions, Coping Strategies and Learning Behaviours of Medical Students during Quarantine Period of COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this study were to identify the emotions of medical students during quarantine period, to clarify how they coped with this new situation and to find out whether learning behaviors changed due to pandemic. Participants: Quarantined medical students participating in the distance education program of a medical school during the pandemic. Methods: In this descriptive study we have utilized online questionnaire in gathering the information. The Positive and Negative Affect Scale was also used to find out the emotion spectrum of medical students. Results: In our sample, medical students mostly had negative emotions. The students with high negative affect scores were unable to cope with stress and unable to use emotional regulation strategies which impacted their learning behaviors. Conclusions: The emotions should be explicitly reflected in medical education and the students should be supported in coping with these emotions as part of their professional growth and well-being.