State Anxiety and Irrational Beliefs during Coronavirus Pandemic: The Case of Palestinian Women

Abstract

This study investigates the correlationbetween state anxiety and irrational beliefs among Palestinian women during
the coronavirus pandemic.It seeks to reveal whether there are any statistically significant differences in state
anxiety and irrational beliefsdue to age, marital status, education level, household income and the number of
children. It also seeks to identify the level of state anxiety and the level of irrational beliefs among Palestinian
women.The study used the descriptive correlational method, and the sample consisted of 750 Palestinian women
from the West Bank governorates.The study adopted the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1983)
and Irrational Beliefs Inventory (IBI) (Rihani, 1985). The results showed a statistically significant positive
correlation between the levels of state anxiety (moderate) and irrational beliefs among Palestinian women during
the Coronaviruspandemic.There were also statistically significant differences in the level of state anxietydue
tohousehold income.No statistically significant differences were foundowing to other variables.The results showed
that a moderate level of irrational beliefs among Palestinian women during the Coronavirus pandemic.There
werestatistically significant differences in the level of irrational beliefs due to all study variables, except for the
number of children. The study is concluded with a number of recommendations in the light of its findings