Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Psychological stress and its relation to social distancing among a sample of Saudi during COVID‑19 pandemic

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Fertaj Alzwain
. Mohammad Bashatwa
. Burhan Hamadneh

Special Education Department, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Over the last year, the world has witnessed an infectious disease (COVID‑19)
outbreak that has shown a high rate of spread. Therefore, several prevention and mitigation measures
have been imposed to control the spread of the virus worldwide. The aim of the current study is to
identify the commitment level to social distancing and its relationship to psychological stress among
members of Saudi society during COVID‑19 pandemic.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The descriptive correlational design was employed in the current
study, and the sample of the study consisted of 536 Saudis selected using convenient sampling
method. The study was conducted in four cities in Saudi Arabia (Altayef, Mecca, and Najran, in 2020
during COVID‑19 pandemic using quantitative survey method. Several analysis methods using SPSS
software were used to analyze the data such as mean and standard deviation, three‑way ANOVA,
Scheffe’s test, and Pearson correlation.
RESULTS: The study revealed that the psychological stress and commitment level to social
distancing by the study sample during COVID‑19 pandemic was moderate, and differences were
observed among the study variables. Furthermore, the study revealed a statistically significant
negative correlation between the commitment level to social distancing and the exposure to
psychological pressures.
CONCLUSION: The study contributed to literature by developing a model to enhance the importance
of social distancing of people during COVID‑19 pandemic. The study recommends the necessity to
provide advice and counseling services that enhance community members’ awareness about the
application of social distancing during COVID‑19 pandemic.,

Keywords

COVID‑19
individual variables
indoor distancing
outdoor distancing
psychological pressure
Saudi community
social distancing
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 11, Issue 6
July 2021
Pages 1-6

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