The relationship between sense of community and anxiety: Adaptation of the sense of community descriptors scale into Turkish and an exploratory study on social media users

In the present study, the relationship between Sense of Community and Social Media and Anxiety was investigated. In addition, the predictors of sense of community, anxiety and hopelessness on each other were examined. In line with this goal, Sense of Community Descriptors Scale (SCD) was adapted into Turkish and a validity and reliability study was conducted. In the scale adaptation phase, a total of 335 participants who did not have a psychiatric diagnosis were reached. At this stage, General Belongingness Scale (GBS), Social Safeness and Pleasure Scale (SSP), UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS) and Positive Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) were given as data collection tools. Within the scope of the main study, 323 participants who did not receive a psychiatric diagnosis and used social media were included in the study. In the main study, the State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAS), Sense of Community Descriptors Scale (SCD), and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) were given as data collection tools. The data collected from the participants were analyzed with the SPSS program in accordance with the data set. According to the results of the analysis, the psychometric properties of the scale was found as satisfactory. Also, it was determined that there was a relationship between sense of community, anxiety and hopelessness. The study shows that social media creates significant differences in sense of community and anxiety. In addition, it was concluded that sense of community, anxiety and hopelessness predicted each other. Findings from the study were discussed in the current literature.