Abstract:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of perceived social support on loneliness in individuals diagnosed with Covid-19 during lockdown period. This cross-sectional type study included 231 individuals diagnosed with Covid-19. The study was conducted in five family health center between January and February 2021. ‘Descriptive Characteristics Form’, ‘Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)’, and ‘UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS)’ were used to collect the data. The data were collected by using an online survey method. The total mean MSPSS and UCLA-LS scores were found to be 55.51±19.02, 46.78±13.04, respectively. There was a statistically negative and strong correlation between MSPSS and UCLA-LS total mean scores (p˂0.05. r=-0.730). Furthermore, as a result of the regression analysis, it was determined that perceived social support predicted loneliness at a rate 53%. In the study, it was found that the individuals had moderate level of perceived social support and loneliness. It can be said that as perceived social support level of individuals increases, their loneliness level also decreases. Furthermore, the level of perceived social support of individuals diagnosed with Covid-19 during lockdown period may affect their loneliness levels.

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