Parental Stress and Self-Efficacy as Predictors of Fear During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross- Sectional Study in Türkiye

Large-scale societal crises characterized by prolonged uncertainty and threat impose substantial psychological burdens on individuals and families. During such periods, parents must simultaneously cope with their own emotional responses and caregiving responsibilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a global example of these crisis conditions. This study aimed to examine perceived stress, general self-efficacy, and fear of COVID-19 among parents in a Turkish sample and to compare these variables and their interrelationships with those of non-parents. This controlled, cross-sectional, comparative, and correlational study included 1,007 adults aged 18 years and older living in Turkey. Data were collected online using a Demographic Information Form, the Perceived Stress Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Group comparisons and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of fear of COVID-19. Perceived stress was positively associated with fear of COVID-19 in both parents and non-parents, with stronger associations observed among parents. In the parent group, fear of COVID-19 was negatively associated with general self-efficacy and its subdimensions (effort–persistence and ability–confidence). Parenthood, particularly motherhood, was identified as a significant factor associated with higher levels of fear of COVID-19. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that perceived stress was the strongest predictor of fear of COVID-19 in both groups. Fear experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic reflects broader psychological processes related to prolonged stress and uncertainty. Parents were more adversely affected than non-parents, whereas firmer self-efficacy beliefs appeared to play a protective role in reducing stress and fear. These findings provide contextual evidence from a Turkish sample and contribute to the international literature on psychological adaptation in parents during large-scale crisis conditions.