The Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Symptoms of Acute Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

INTRODUCTION: It was aimed to investigate the role of perceived social support in coping with acute stress, depression and anxiety symptoms in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
METHODS: Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS), National Stressful Events Questionnaire Acute Stress Disorder Short Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were administered to 138 hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of COVID-19.
RESULTS: MSPSS scores were negatively associated with acute stress, depression and anxiety symptoms. Acute stress symptoms were also negatively correlated with all subscales of MSPSS. While there was a negative correlation between "Friends" and "Important Person" subscales of MSPSS and depression symptoms, a negative correlation was found between anxiety symptoms and "Friends" subscale.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As the stress buffering model suggests, perceived social support can protect individuals from the impact of negative situations. Social support can also provide important positive effects in combating psychiatric symptoms in COVID-19 patients.