Evaluation of psychosocial risk factors in university employees during the Covid-19 pandemic period

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted various aspects of both daily and working life. One of the most important pandemic dimensions is the negative impact on human health. When we think of health, we mostly consider physical health, which is apparent and visible. However, mental health is equally vital and has been severely affected by the pandemic. It is an essential element of overall human health. Mental health is linked to both physical health and psychosocial well-being. When the pandemic started entering our lives, many stimuli positively or negatively affected our mental health. As a result of reactions such as anxiety, fear, or stress that emerged as a dimension of this impact, problems that go from home life to work life have emerged. In addition, many issues have been experienced particularly in business life such as concentration problems, social isolation, aggression, or interpersonal conflict, as well as job dissatisfaction or decreases in work efficiency. These problems are related to psychosocial risk factors and are directly caused by these risk factors. While psychosocial risk factors are more difficult to recognize than other risks, they are also ignored. However, it should not be forgotten that psychosocial risks come into play at the point of affecting our lives. Therefore, this study is important to raise awareness of these risks and make these risk factors visible. It is clear that the psychosocial impact of the pandemic will continue for a while. The study was conducted with 103 university employees, 82 academics, and 21 administrative staff. The questionnaire form created in a digital environment was sent to the participants to be answered in the same digital environment, and each employee was asked to evaluate the level of awareness of psychosocial risks, the effects of the COVID-19 period, and their psychosocial risk status. In this context, the COVID-19 Pandemic Period Affect and Psychosocial Risk Factors Questionnaire Form created by the researcher was used in the study. The data were analyzed with Chi-Square and Fisher exact tests using the SPSS Statistic 22.0 program, and p<0,05 indicates a statistically significant value. According to the results obtained, it was determined that the participants were aware of psychosocial risks at an average level, and necessary measures were not taken regarding psychosocial risks. On the other hand, the most common problems encountered during the pandemic period were anxiety (x̄=3.67) and stress (x̄=3.630), along with sleep and appetite problems (x̄=3.91). Low motivation (x̄=3,10) and distancing from friends (x̄=3,04) were given high scores in business life. Furthermore, there is a statistically significant relationship of gender, age occupation, job satisfaction, and contact status with students with the psychosocial risk factors. After all the results are evaluated, it is seen that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed psychosocial risk factors in university employees as in every field.