The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on social relations as threat perception: Malatya example

The aim of this study is to reveal how the COVID-19 pandemic, which deeply affects individuals and societies, influences social relationships as a threat, the changes experienced in social institutions, and the measures these institutions have taken. This study, which useda mixed-method approach, surveywas applied to378 people and were conducted in-depth interviews with 20 individuals. The pandemic process has caused various effects on the functioning of individuals and social institutions. The research results indicate that the disease process differs among individuals and that the vast majority of participants felt at risk during the pandemic. The pandemic has left its mark on almost every area of social life. While the emotions widely felt were distress and fear, these fears were shaped by the risk of the disease spreading to themselves and their loved ones. Women had a higher perception of threat compared to men. Additionally, religious beliefs and the presence of loved ones were identified as significant factors that mitigated individuals' perception of threat. From the perspective of social institutions, during the pandemic, interpersonal communication largely shifted to digital platforms, and behaviors requiring physical contact were avoided. Traditional social activities were almost entirely halted, but visits to close relatives continued partially. During the pandemic, the most affected social structures were educational and health institutions. Economically, small tradespeople and the retail sector experienced significant difficulties. While positive changes were observed in domestic relationships, there was a decrease in relations with relatives and neighbors. Working mothers faced more challenges in childcare during the pandemic, while elderly individuals felt a greater need for social support. Thus, the pandemic tested the resilience of the social structure and institutions, revealing deficiencies and necessities in the field.