The mediating role of emotion management skills in the relationship between university students' perceptions of maternal acceptance-rejection and fear of COVID-19

The emotional effects of past experiences or dreams about the future under human behavior are decisive and impressive in the behavior of people. Therefore, this research aimed to examine the mediating role of emotion management skills in the relationship between university students' perceptions of maternal acceptance-rejection and their fear of Covid-19. The study group consists of 302 students between the ages of 18-20 who are studying in the departments of Health Sciences Faculties of Hacettepe and Ankara Universities in Ankara and voluntarily participated in the study. Data collection process was provided with Demographic Information Form created by the researcher, Family Acceptance-Rejection Scale (Adult Form), Emotion Management Skills Scale and Covid-19 Fear Scale. Research data were analyzed with statistical evaluation programs. Independent groups t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied to examine university students' perceptions of maternal acceptance-rejection, their ability to manage their emotions, and fear of Covid-19 in terms of socio-demographic variables. Pearson Correlation Coefficient Analysis was used to examine the relationships between students' perceptions of maternal acceptance-rejection, their ability to manage their emotions, and fear of Covid-19. Finally, Simple Mediator Variable Analysis was used to examine the mediating role of emotion management skills. According to the research findings, it was determined that the students experienced a moderate level of fear of Covid-19, their mother perception was closer to acceptance, and their ability to manage emotions was high. In addition to, it was found that the ability to manage emotions has a mediating role in the relationship between students' perception of maternal acceptance-rejection and fear of Covid-19.