The distinctive mental health features associated with COVID-19 have gained importance as the psychological effects of the pandemic on the community become more visible. This study aims to assess the COVID-related stress status and associated factors in the community sample of Turkey. The sample of this cross-sectional study is composed of 2.065 people between the ages of 18-90. Data were collected through an online survey prepared by Google.docs between October-December, 2020. Mild to moderate stress was found in the community with the most common symptoms of the fear of contamination and danger. Some variables, such as being female and the severity of COVID-19 illness, were associated with higher COVID-related stress. Vulnerable groups associated with high stress should be monitored during the pandemic. The findings of this study will guide the practices of professionals working in the field of public health, healthcare, or mental health in possible future pandemics.

Objective: Cannabis use in college students has increased over time and is linked to negative consequences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many students experienced greater stress, which could heighten cannabis use and related consequences. This study was designed to clarify motivations for cannabis use that may link pandemic-related stressors to time spent high and cannabis-related consequences.Participants: A total of 488 cannabis-using college students (75% women) participated.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 to examine students\' experiences during the pandemic.Results: Indirect effects revealed that pandemic-related social stressors were linked to coping and boredom motives, and in turn, more hours spent high and cannabis-related consequences. Similarly, pandemic-related distress was associated with more coping motives and in turn, more hours spent high and cannabis-related consequences.Conclusions: Findings suggest prevention and intervention efforts may benefit from emphasizing alternative coping methods, including enhanced social support, during prolonged stressors.

This study aims to analyze the effects of COVID-19 stress on healing behavior in residential spaces. Based on the results, the study further examines the residential space as a healing environment according to space use behavior in the post-COVID era. A survey including 2101 Korean people was conducted. The COVID Stress Scale for Korean People (CSSK) was used to identify COVID-19 stress. In addition, using a literature review on healing environment factors and behavioral changes after the pandemic, survey questions were developed to assess changes in healing behavior. A frequency analysis was conducted for sociodemographic factors, and the relationship between COVID stress factors and healing behavior factors in residential spaces was examined using factor and correlation analyses. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to verify the effects of COVID stress factors on changes in healing behavior. The results revealed that COVID stress affected healing behavior in residential spaces; however, there were differences in healing behavior depending on the COVID stress factors. Fear of being infected positively affected infection prevention behavior in homes. Anger towards others negatively affected the establishment of elements that support various activities in the residential spaces and furniture arrangement. Stress from social distancing difficulties affected healing behavior in residential spaces but was not related to infection prevention behavior. Residential spaces can serve as healing spaces when people are provided with various spatial factors that support diverse types of behavior during a pandemic crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic situation threatens the health of people globally, especially adolescents facing mental problems such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder due to constant COVID-19 stress. The present study aimed to provide basic data highlighting the need to alleviate COVID-19 stress among adolescents by promoting physical activity participation and strengthening self-concept clarity (SCC). To examine the relationships among participation in physical activity, SCC, and COVID-19 stress in pandemic-like conditions, the study was conducted on middle and high school students aged 14 to 19 and an online survey was conducted on 1046 Korean adolescents (521 male and 525 female students in the preliminary survey and main survey). Frequency, reliability, confirmatory factor, descriptive, and path analyses were performed using SPSS and AMOS 18.0. Participation in physical activity exerted a positive effect on SCC (p < 0.001) as well as a negative effect on COVID-19 stress (p = 0.031). Our findings also indicated that SCC exerted a negative effect on COVID-19 stress (p < 0.001). Regular participation in physical activity and strong SCC are also fundamental elements for alleviating COVID-19 stress. Given these results, state and local governments and educational institutions should encourage youth to participate in sports by suggesting policies, providing guidelines, and offering education. Such information may allow adolescents to endure and overcome COVID-19 stress during this critical period of life.