Prevalence of Fear of COVID-19 and Its Impact on Mental Health in Post-Pandemic Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background COVID-19 has significantly affected mental health worldwide. However, limited evidence exists regarding the prevalence of COVID-19 fear and its psychological impact in post-pandemic Turkey. Objective This research examines the prevalence of fear of COVID-19 in Turkey during the post-pandemic phase and explores its potential impact on various aspects of mental health. Methods In this study, 768 participants (60.3% female) completed online questionnaires assessing fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, stress, life satisfaction, and mental well-being. Results A high level of fear of COVID-19 was identified in 56.2% of participants. Logistic regression analyses revealed that being female, middle-aged, having a low perceived socioeconomic status, and a prior COVID-19 diagnosis significantly increased the likelihood of experiencing high levels of fear of COVID-19. However, losing someone due to COVID-19 was not significantly associated with fear levels. High levels of fear of COVID-19 were significantly associated with increased likelihood of depression and anxiety. A one-unit increase in fear of COVID-19 was associated with 2.60-fold higher odds of mild depression and 3.87-fold higher odds of moderate depression. Similarly, the odds of experiencing mild anxiety and moderate anxiety increased by 4.05 and 6.45 times, respectively. No significant associations were found between fear of COVID-19 and life satisfaction or mental well-being. Conclusion This study demonstrates that, in the post-pandemic period, the psychological legacy of the outbreak continues to influence individuals’ emotional states. These findings emphasize the importance of COVID-19-related psychological support services for high-risk groups to mitigate the enduring mental health impacts of the pandemic.