Investigating the moderator effect of fear of COVID-19 in the relation between communication anxiety and self-efficacy

Background/purpose - COVID-19 has forced many people to face psychological problems, with already difficult living conditions having become progressively more challenging. Individuals with low prepandemic levels of communication anxiety saw those levels increase, which negatively affected their self-efficacy. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to examine the moderating effect of fear of COVID-19 on the relationship between communication anxiety and self-efficacy. Materials/methods - Three measurement tools were used to perform analyses regarding the purpose of the research; the Communication Anxiety Scale, the Self-efficacy Scale, and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Along with these variables, the moderating effect of COVID-19 fear was examined. IBM’s SPSS 25 package program and Hayes’s process were used to perform the analysis. Data from 393 participants were included in the analysis within the scope of the research. Results - In the model in which the moderating effect of COVID-19 fear was examined, it was concluded that fear of COVID-19 worsened the relationship between communication anxiety and self-efficacy. In addition, a negative and significant result was obtained between communication anxiety and self-efficacy. Conclusion - According to the results obtained from this research, fear of COVID-19 increases communication anxiety and decreases selfefficacy. At the same time, fear of COVID-19 had a negative moderating effect on the relationship between communication anxiety and self-efficacy. This research was completed by analyzing the variables, presenting the results, forming a discussion, and with suggestions put forward.