Factors Affecting the Fear Levels of Secondary School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study aims to determine the factors affecting the fear levels of secondary school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, a parallel design approach was used in the study. The quantitative data were collected using the ’Corona virus Fear Scale’. Results of the study show that the students’ fear of corona virus was moderate. Students expressed that the factors which increased their fear levels in per- centage terms are: an increase in the number of cases (26.24%), increase in the number of deaths (12.69%), death of family members (2.40%), death of close relatives (1.20%), fear of losing loved ones (0.86%), being COVID positive (6.52%), a family member being COVID positive (5.15%), people in immediate surroundings being COVID positive (5.15%), people’s insensitivity (7.20%), people not wearing masks (4.29% ) and people not following social distancing (2.40%). To reduce their fears during the COVID-19 pandemic, students stated that they took measures such as staying at home, wearing a mask, paying attention to hygiene, taking precautions, and maintaining social distance.