Depression and anxiety among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: A web-based cross-sectional survey

Analyzing Mental Health Shifts Among Migrant Workers in Korea: A Comparative Study During and Post the COVID-19 Era

In the midst of a pandemic like COVID-19, migrant workers are highly vulnerable to the risk of mental health challenges and disorders. This study aimed to examine the variations in mental health and associated factors among migrant workers in Korea during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 830 migrant workers were included in this quantitative population-based study across two distinct COVID-19 periods: 415 from August 15, 2020 to January 20, 2021 (termed "during COVID-19" post-WHO pandemic declaration) and 415 from June 10 to September 18, 2023 (termed "after COVID-19" post-WHO and Korean Government announcement of the end COVID-19 as a global health emergency). The mental health of migrants was assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 for anxiety, and compared between the two defined COVID-19 periods. Migrant workers exhibited higher means of depression (15.99 ± 5.16 vs. 8.78 ± 5.77) and anxiety (11.02 ± 4.45 vs. 6.97 ± 4.42) during the COVID-19 compared to after the COVID-19. The prevalence of severe depression (30.4% vs. 8.2%, p = .038) and severe anxiety (24.1% vs. 5.3%, p = .047) was significantly higher during the COVID-19 than after the pandemic. Changes in the mean depression scores among migrants were significantly influenced by living status (0.12 ± 11.10, p = .030) and employment status (0.44 ± 10.33, p = .043), while changes in mean anxiety scores were influenced by social relief funds (2.88 ± 8.61, p = .046) and employment status (1.13 ± 8.39, p = .012). This study highlights the increased susceptibility of migrant workers to depression and anxiety during COVID-19 compared to after the pandemic. Thus, it is imperative to prioritize the expansion of social support funds, ensure employment stability, and implement regular health check-up services to reduce mental health disorders among migrants.

Investigating stress, anxiety, and coping strategies among higher education students in extreme contexts: insights from Romania during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Using the perspective of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which represents a public health challenge that also affects education and the psychological well-being of students, this paper aims to assess the vulnerability to anxiety and stress of the Romanian students from the Faculty of Administration and Business of the University of Bucharest pursuing their degrees in administration and business.

METHODS

Our study is based on the results of the survey that was administered to a sample of 422 students (39.6% females and 60.4% males) selected from the pool of 2000 recruited respondents. We employed the ANOVA/linear Dependent Dirichlet Process mixture model to explain the causes of stress and anxiety after various grouping variables represented by gender, specialisation, as well as labour market status.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that more than 80% of the students in the sample yielded medium and high vulnerability to stress, while 64% of the respondents were affected by severe anxiety (high frequency of psychological, social, and physical problems that were difficult for them to control). The most important stressors were the fear of getting infected and social distancing, while self-control was considered the most effective coping strategy by 62.6% of employed students.

CONCLUSIONS

These results allow us to provide practical recommendations for effectively coping with stress and anxiety among students in Romania and beyond and to help stakeholders and policymakers design strategies for strengthening students' resilience, mental health, and well-being in case of future pandemics or other extreme contexts.

Determination of the relationship between dietary inflammatory index and depression status in female students

Background: The relationship between diet, inflammation and mental health has been receiving increasing interest. However, limited data are available on the inflammatory role of diet in university students, among whom depression is commonly observed. Aim: The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and depression among female students of nutrition and dietetics department, whom we assume to be conscious about health. Methods: DII scores were determined by averaging the 3-day dietary records. Depression status of the students was determined by using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Our study was conducted with 122 female university students. The mean total BDI score of the students in the first tertile (more anti-inflammatory effect) was found significantly lower than those of the students in the second and third tertiles (p = 0.001). In addition, there were no significant difference between the depression scores of the students and their grade level (p = 0.114) and place of residence (p = 0.866). We found a positive association between DII and depressive symptoms (Model 1, B = 0.512, %95 CI: 0.236-0.789, p = 0.000). This relationship was also found when adjusting for age, weight, body mass index, smoking status, and presence of chronic disease (Model 2, B = 0.496, %95 CI: 0.217-0.776, p = 0.006; Model 3, B = 0.493, %95 CI: 0.210-0.777, p = 0.024. Conclusion: Supporting that the inflammatory burden of diet is associated with mental health, our findings are of significance for the development of anti-inflammatory nutritional approaches among students who are prone to depression.

Prevalence and Correlates of Likely Anxiety Disorder in Ghana During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Online Survey

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic created stressors to daily living, leading to increased mental health problems. It is important to assess the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, specifically anxiety.

OBJECTIVES

The goal was to determine the prevalence and sociodemographic, clinical, and other correlates of likely Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) among study subjects in Ghana.

DESIGN

This study employed a cross-sectional approach, using an online survey administered primarily through social media platforms. The survey questions included the GAD-7 scale, which was used to assess likely GAD in respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis.

PARTICIPANTS

Overall, 756 respondents completed the survey, mainly from Ashanti and Greater Accra, which were the hardest hit by COVID-19.

RESULTS

The prevalence of likely GAD in our sample was 7.6%. Gender, loss of job due to COVID-19, and seeking mental health counseling were independently associated with increased likelihood of GAD.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that women, those who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and those who sought mental health counseling were more likely to experience moderate to high anxiety symptoms as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Priority must be attached to psychological support measures for members of these groups.

Changes in Stress, Depression, and Anxiety Symptoms in a Brazilian Sample During Quarantine Across the Early Phases of the COVID-19 Crisis

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to estimate prevalence and incidence of stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms in Brazilians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

We assessed 103 (54 women, 49 men) participants online in three periods of the pandemic: March 2020 (T1), April 2020 (T2), and June 2020 (T3). Estimates of prevalence and incidence were identified when mental health scores were two standard deviations above the mean compared to normative data. Mental health indicators were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale, the Filgueiras Depression Index, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - State Subscale.

RESULTS

At T1, 89% of individuals were below cut-off scores for stress, anxiety, and depression, which dropped to 35% by T3. Estimated stress prevalence was 1.9% at T1, 7.8% at T2, and 28.2% at T3. Estimated depression prevalence was 0% at T1, 23.3% at T2, and 25.2% at T3. Estimated state anxiety prevalence was 10.7% at T1, 11.7% at T2, and 45.6% at T3. Stress incidence increased by 7.8% from T1 to T2, and 23.3% from T2 to T3. Depression incidence increased by 23.3% from T1 to T2, and 15.5% from T2 to T3. Anxiety incidence increased by 9.7% from T1 to T2, and 39.8% from T2 to T3. Stress severity scores significantly increased from 16.1 ± 8.7 at T1 to 23.5 ± 8.4 at T2, and 30.3 ± 6.0 at T3. Depression severity scores significantly increased from 48.5 ± 20.5 at T1 to 64.7 ± 30.2 at T2, and 75.9 ± 26.1 at T3. Anxiety increased from 49.0 ± 13.4 at T1 to 53.5 ± 12.5 at T2 and 62.3 ± 13.4 at T3. Females had significantly higher anxiety scores than males by T3 (66.7 ± 11.8 vs. 57.4 ± 13.5).

CONCLUSION

Prevalence and incidence of stress, depression, and anxiety significantly increased throughout the pandemic. The largest increase in stress and anxiety occurred between T2 and T3, and between T1 and T2 for depression. Severity of stress, depression, and anxiety increased throughout the study.

Depression, anxiety and coping strategies among Palestinian university students during political violence: a cross sectional study

Background

There are numerous wars and ongoing political violence in Palestine and little is known about how they have affected Palestinian undergraduate students' mental health and coping strategies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression, and anxiety symptoms and coping mechanisms among Palestinian university students during the times of current political violence in Palestine after October 7, 2023.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study design was utilized for a sample of students from 3 universities in Palestine (Al Quds University, Hebron University, and An-Najah University) and 1815 participants responded. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires, including Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Brief COPE scale. Person correlation test, chi-square test, and bivariate analysis were performed to examine the associations between research variables.

Results

The estimated prevalence of depression was 65.9, and 60.9% for anxiety. The logistic regression showed that students from the Arts Faculty, females, and those with working parents were significantly more likely to experience depression and anxiety symptoms. Also, active coping, emotional support, and humor reduced the likelihood of experiencing depression symptoms, while active coping, positive reframing, humor, and acceptance decreased the likelihood of developing anxiety symptoms. Further, the study found that using religion, self-blame, denial, and behavioral disengagement increased the likelihood of depression symptoms while planning, venting, religion, self-blame, denial, and behavioral disengagement increased the likelihood of anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion

The study found that political violence often leads to symptoms of depression and anxiety among undergraduates. Furthermore, the use of maladaptive coping mechanisms increases the likelihood that these symptoms will occur. Providing immediate assistance to university students affected by political violence and conflicts is crucial for their emotional and mental recovery and coping with difficulties.

Rate and sociodemographic correlates of depression, anxiety, and stress among domestic and overseas medical students: A cross-sectional observation from a private medical college in Bangladesh

Background

Depression, anxiety, and stress are the commonly encountered mental health conditions among medical students. Overseas environment may add additional burden to the existing environment. However, comparison of the rate and associated factors of depression, anxiety, stress among domestic and overseas students has not been attempted in Bangladesh. We aimed to assess the rate and associated factors of depression, anxiety, stress among domestic and overseas medical students in the country.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 undergraduate medical students in 2021. Data were collected by self-reporting instruments by a stratified random sampling method by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 scale. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were done by computing crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval to identify the associated factors.

Results

Among the 360 undergraduate medical students, 181 were domestic and 179 overseas ones. 44.8% of domestic students reported depressive symptoms, 45.3% reported anxiety symptoms, and 33.1% reported stress. On the other hand, half of overseas students experienced depression (50.3%) and anxiety (52.5%), and 41.3% experienced stress. Female medical students were found vulnerable for developing depression, anxiety, and stress than males.

Conclusions

The study revealed higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among overseas undergraduate medical students enrolled in a private medical school of Bangladesh. Private medical college authorities could consider special services for overseas students to ensure adequate psychosocial support.

Depression in nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Systematic review and meta-analysis

The pandemic meant a change in academic approach. This had an impact on the mental health of students, leading to, among other problems, depressive disorders. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence and factors that favoured the development of depression in nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review with meta-analysis of prevalence was conducted in October 2023, using Pubmed, CINAHL and Scopus as the data sources used for the search. This review followed the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Search equation was: "(undergraduate nurses OR nursing students) AND depression AND (COVID-19 OR Sars-CoV-2)". The final set of articles was N = 12. Quantitative primary studies using anonymous scales and surveys to assess the prevalence of depression in nursing students in the last 3 years were included. Studies show a high prevalence of depression among young university students with figures above 50%. The total sample of students in the meta-analysis was n = 4,479 with a prevalence value of 32% (CI95% 22%-42%). Affected students are characterised by young, female students. Concerns included generalised academic uncertainty, social isolation, work overload, fear of contagion and concern about teaching delivery. Coping mechanisms were generally resilience, spiritual support, laughter therapy, seeking information about COVID-19 and eating food. In conclusion, students, especially female students, are at high risk of depression due to social isolation. In addition, coping techniques were inadequate and future strategies to prevent this situation should be considered.

Assessment of Mental Health Status and Its Association With Willingness to Take Vaccine Against COVID-19 Among the Students of Public and Private Universities in Bangladesh

The study investigated mental health status of the students of public and private universities, their willingness to take vaccine against COVID-19, and its association with fear, anxiety, and depression. A cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted from July 26 to September 15, 2021, using a well-structured questionnaire among 504 university students. The average age of the participants was 22.92 ± 2.28 years and 76.98% of them were willing to vaccinate against COVID-19. The fear of COVID-19 was found mild, and depression level was demonstrated moderate among the students irrespective of the university types. Moreover, Masters/MPhil/PhD students and the students living in semi-urban areas had the highest rate of willingness to vaccinate. The study demonstrated that level of fear, anxiety, and depression was directly associated with increased willingness to vaccinate among the tertiary level students in Bangladesh. The outcome of this study sketched a positive association of knowledge and education with better management of pandemic in a society.

Determining the Mental Status, Sleep Quality, and Eating Behaviors of University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in adverse effects on individuals' physical and mental health worldwide, with university students also being adversely affected by this process.

OBJECTIVES

This research aimed to determine the mental condition, sleep quality, and eating behaviors of university students during the COVID-19 process.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,065 university students. Study data were collected with an online questionnaire including a personal information form, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Dutch Eating Behavior Scale.

RESULTS

Students' poor sleep quality was determined to be 69.5%. It was also determined that students' depression and stress levels were moderate that their anxiety levels were low, their eating behaviors were generally problematic, and more than half had poor sleep quality. In addition, eating disorders and poor sleep quality increased as depression, anxiety, and stress levels increased, and eating disorders increased as poor sleep quality increased (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results emphasize the importance of the strengthening of students' mental health, particularly by improving their sleep quality and eating habits. Evidence-based interventions regarding the effects of the pandemic should be made for students under the leadership of a psychiatric nurse, and effective strategies must be developed accordingly.

Evaluation of Resilience and Mental Health in the "Post-Pandemic Era" among University Students: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study

BACKGROUND

The mental well-being of university students has been a growing concern in Public Health and has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic (including the post-pandemic era) introduced and exacerbated a variety of potential stressors for vulnerable individuals and communities, resulting in an increase in mental health issues among university students. Resilience, as a process, is the ability of a system to adapt and grow in the face of adversity. This is a crucial aspect to consider when examining the coping of university students in critical situations such as COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the association between resilience and mental health outcomes among university students in Cyprus during the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.

METHODS

A parallel embedded mixed methods research design will be utilized to assess resilience, measured by the Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the COVID-19 Impact Scale (CIS) and mental health outcomes measured by the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL 90-R), during the COVID-19 post-pandemic era (January 2022-July 2024) among university students in the Republic of Cyprus. The study will be conducted in two stages: a pilot study followed by the main study. Quantitative data will be collected through a web-based survey, while qualitative data will be obtained through in-person focus groups designed to capture participants' experiences. Participants will be recruited using a proportional quota sampling approach to achieve representativeness based on predefined demographics. The study protocol has been approved by the Cyprus Bioethics Committee (approval no: EEC/EP/2023/31).

DISCUSSION

This study is expected to broaden our understanding of the intricate interactions between the COVID-19 pandemic's impact, resilience, and mental health outcomes. The focus on university students' psychological wellbeing is consistent with the call by the WHO to focus on mental health (World Health Organization, 2019).

University Students' Financial Situation During COVID-19 and Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms: Results of the COVID-19 German Student Well-Being Study (C19 GSWS)

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on students' financial situation as well as on their mental health.

Aim

To examine the reported change in the financial situation of German university students before and across two time points of the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate its associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Methods

We used data from the cross-sectional COVID-19 German Student Well-being Study conducted at five German universities (N = 7203). Linear regression models were used to analyze associations between a reported change in financial situation and anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Results

Twenty-eight percent of the participants reported to have a worsened financial situation at the time of the survey compared to the time prior to the pandemic. A worsened financial situation at the time of the survey as compared to prior to the pandemic was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms reported in all three depression and anxiety scales [a 1.46 point increase on the CES-D 8 scale (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19; 1.73), a 0.37-point increase in PHQ-2 (95% CI: 0.28; 0.46), and a 0.45-point increase in GAD-2 (95% CI: 0.35; 0.55)]. An improved financial situation, on the other hand, was associated with lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. As for the second change, comparing the current financial situation with the situation during the first wave of the pandemic, the associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms were broadly similar.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that students are a vulnerable population in need of mental and financial support during times of crisis. Future research is needed to obtain insights into potential long-term effects of the pandemic on students' mental health.

A systematic review on the relationship between socioeconomic conditions and emotional disorder symptoms during Covid-19: unearthing the potential role of economic concerns and financial strain

BACKGROUND

Covid-19 has disrupted the lives of many and resulted in high prevalence rates of mental disorders. Despite a vast amount of research into the social determinants of mental health during Covid-19, little is known about whether the results are consistent with the social gradient in mental health. Here we report a systematic review of studies that investigated how socioeconomic condition (SEC)-a multifaceted construct that measures a person's socioeconomic standing in society, using indicators such as education and income, predicts emotional health (depression and anxiety) risk during the pandemic. Furthermore, we examined which classes of SEC indicators would best predict symptoms of emotional disorders.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted search over six databases, including Scopus, PubMed, etc., between November 4, 2021 and November 11, 2021 for studies that investigated how SEC indicators predict emotional health risks during Covid-19, after obtaining approval from PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021288508). Using Covidence as the platform, 362 articles (324 cross-sectional/repeated cross-sectional and 38 longitudinal) were included in this review according to the eligibility criteria. We categorized SEC indicators into 'actual versus perceived' and 'static versus fluid' classes to explore their differential effects on emotional health.

RESULTS

Out of the 1479 SEC indicators used in these 362 studies, our results showed that 43.68% of the SEC indicators showed 'expected' results (i.e., higher SEC predicting better emotional health outcomes); 51.86% reported non-significant results and 4.46% reported the reverse. Economic concerns (67.16% expected results) and financial strains (64.16%) emerged as the best predictors while education (26.85%) and living conditions (30.14%) were the worst.

CONCLUSIONS

This review summarizes how different SEC indicators influenced emotional health risks across 98 countries, with a total of 5,677,007 participants, ranging from high to low-income countries. Our findings showed that not all SEC indicators were strongly predictive of emotional health risks. In fact, over half of the SEC indicators studied showed a null effect. We found that perceived and fluid SEC indicators, particularly economic concerns and financial strain could best predict depressive and anxiety symptoms. These findings have implications for policymakers to further understand how different SEC classes affect mental health during a pandemic in order to tackle associated social issues effectively.

Investigating Rhythmicity in App Usage to Predict Depressive Symptoms: Protocol for Personalized Framework Development and Validation Through a Countrywide Study

BACKGROUND

Understanding a student's depressive symptoms could facilitate significantly more precise diagnosis and treatment. However, few studies have focused on depressive symptom prediction through unobtrusive systems, and these studies are limited by small sample sizes, low performance, and the requirement for higher resources. In addition, research has not explored whether statistically significant rhythms based on different app usage behavioral markers (eg, app usage sessions) exist that could be useful in finding subtle differences to predict with higher accuracy like the models based on rhythms of physiological data.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study is to explore whether there exist statistically significant rhythms in resource-insensitive app usage behavioral markers and predict depressive symptoms through these marker-based rhythmic features. Another objective of this study is to understand whether there is a potential link between rhythmic features and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

Through a countrywide study, we collected 2952 students' raw app usage behavioral data and responses to the 9 depressive symptoms in the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The behavioral data were retrieved through our developed app, which was previously used in our pilot studies in Bangladesh on different research problems. To explore whether there is a rhythm based on app usage data, we will conduct a zero-amplitude test. In addition, we will develop a cosinor model for each participant to extract rhythmic parameters (eg, acrophase). In addition, to obtain a comprehensive picture of the rhythms, we will explore nonparametric rhythmic features (eg, interdaily stability). Furthermore, we will conduct regression analysis to understand the association of rhythmic features with depressive symptoms. Finally, we will develop a personalized multitask learning (MTL) framework to predict symptoms through rhythmic features.

RESULTS

After applying inclusion criteria (eg, having app usage data of at least 2 days to explore rhythmicity), we kept the data of 2902 (98.31%) students for analysis, with 24.48 million app usage events, and 7 days' app usage of 2849 (98.17%) students. The students are from all 8 divisions of Bangladesh, both public and private universities (19 different universities and 52 different departments). We are analyzing the data and will publish the findings in a peer-reviewed publication.

CONCLUSIONS

Having an in-depth understanding of app usage rhythms and their connection with depressive symptoms through a countrywide study can significantly help health care professionals and researchers better understand depressed students and may create possibilities for using app usage-based rhythms for intervention. In addition, the MTL framework based on app usage rhythmic features may more accurately predict depressive symptoms due to the rhythms' capability to find subtle differences.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/51540.

A cross-sectional study of university students' mental health and lifestyle practices amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

University students are regarded as the backbone of society, and their mental health during a pandemic may have a substantial impact on their performance and life outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess university students' mental health, specifically depression, anxiety, and stress, during Lebanon's extended COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the sociodemographic factors and lifestyle practices associated with it.

METHODS

An online anonymous survey assessed the rates of mental health problems during COVID-19, controlling for socio-demographics and other lifestyle practices, in 329 undergraduate and graduate university students. Instruments utilized were the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (21-BAI) for anxiety, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) for stress. The study employed descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression models to analyze the association between depression, anxiety, and stress with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Results were evaluated using adjusted odds ratios and confidence intervals, with a significance level of 0.05.

RESULTS

Moderate to severe rates of depression, anxiety and stress among students were reported by 75.9%, 72.2%, and 89.3%, respectively. The odds of anxiety and stress were higher among women compared to men. Students who used private counseling services had higher odds of anxiety and stress than those who did not. Overall rated health was a major predictor of depression and anxiety, with the "poor" and "fair" overall-reported health groups having higher odds than the "Excellent" group. When compared to those who did not smoke, students who increased their smoking intake had higher odds of depression, anxiety and stress. Students who reduced their alcohol consumption had lower odds of anxiety compared to those who did not consume alcohol. Students who reduced their physical activity had higher odds than those who increased it. Finally, students who slept fewer than seven hours daily had higher odds of depression than those who slept seven to nine hours.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate a national student mental health crisis, with exceptionally high rates of moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and stress. Factors such as gender, university program, overall rated health, importance of religion in daily decisions, private counseling, smoking cigarettes, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and sleeping, were all found to have an impact on mental health outcomes. Our study highlights the need for university administrators and mental health professionals to consider targeted mental health programming for students, particularly for women and those with poor or fair overall perceived health.

The Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety and Its Association with Sleep Quality in the First-Year Medical Science Students

Methods

A total number of 471 freshmen students (NUMS) participated in the study, pinpointing that the data are collected in 2019 and 2020. In line with measuring depression, anxiety, and sleep quality, the Persian Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were employed. The associations between depression and anxiety with sleep quality were assessed by using the multiple logistic regression model. All statistical analyses were conducted in STATA14, and the significant level was set at P < 0.05.

Results

The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and poor sleep quality in the study population was 21.4%, 31.9%, and 28%, respectively. Analytical analyses indicated that after adjusting for studied covariates, the odds of poor sleep quality in individuals with depression were 3.5 times higher compared to the counter group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the odds of poor sleep quality in individuals with anxiety were 2.1 times higher compared to the counter group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Noticeable proportion of freshmen students suffer from depression and anxiety; in line with such a critical issue, our study found that depression and anxiety had a statistical association with sleep quality in study population. From this respect, it seems that providing essential interventions and psychological counseling services could be constructive for the freshmen medical students.

The mediating role of emotional intelligence on nursing students' coping strategies and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic

Anxiety among nursing students documented during the COVID-19 pandemic reflected their fear of contracting infections, adhering to the mandatory use of masks in public, engaging in the new experience of distance learning, having financial problems, and so on. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating role of emotional intelligence (EI) on nursing students' coping strategies and anxiety during the pandemic. This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in a university in Jordan. An online survey was used to obtain data from a sample of 282 nursing students who had returned to on-campus learning during the summer semester of 2019/2020. The survey held four parts: (a) questions about sociodemographics, (b) the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale, (c) the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF), and (d) the Brief-Coping Behavior Questionnaire (Brief-COPE). The results showed that EI had a fully mediating role in the relationship between problem-focused coping strategies and anxiety, and it partially mediated the emotion-focused and avoidant/dysfunctional coping strategies and anxiety relationships. Nursing students who used the problem-focused coping strategies had high levels of EI, and with increasing levels of EI, anxiety levels decreased. Promoting the development of EI among nursing students would enable them to manage their emotions effectively and control their anxiety, particularly in new circumstances such as those that occurred during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Prevalence and predictors of depression and anxiety among workers at two points of entry in Botswana during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

points of entry (POE) staff are particularly prone to depression and anxiety during outbreaks. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of depression and anxiety among POE staff in Botswana.

Methods

this was a cross sectional study at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA) and Tlokweng border from 02/12/2021 to 24/02/2022 during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the General Anxiety Disorder-7 item scale (GAD-7) were used to screen for depression and anxiety respectively. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of depression (PHQ-9≥10) and anxiety (GAD-7 ≥10).

Results

a total of 276 POE workers participated in the study of which 60 (21.7%) had an abnormal PHQ-9 score (had depression). Anxiety levels were abnormal in 31 (11.2%) participants. The predictors of depression were working at SSKIA (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.22, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.08-0.65), age >39 years (AOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.68), having a diploma (AOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.008-0.89), having a degree or higher (AOR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.80), history of asthma (AOR 4.43, 95% CI 1.17-16.72), experience of stigma and discrimination (AOR 2.93, 95% CI 1.01-8.55) and having older people (>65 years) in the household (AOR 4.61, 95% CI 1.64-12.99). The predictors of anxiety were having chronic medical conditions (AOR 5.76, 95% CI 1.34-24.78) and experience of stigma and discrimination (AOR 6.82, 95% CI 1.42-32.46).

Conclusion

depression and anxiety were detected in a significant number of participants. Multiple risk factors were identified. Public health interventions should target these risk factors.

Common mental health problems and associated factors among recovered COVID-19 patients in rural area: A community-based survey in Bangladesh

PURPOSE

Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) was announced as being a global pandemic on 11 March, governments from all parts of the world declared a quarantine period, during which people were prohibited from leaving their homes (except for essential activities) to contain the spread of the virus. Since then, the population has faced different levels of restrictions (i.e., mobility, social activities) that limited participation in normal daily routines. Consequently, these restrictions may have adversely changed physical activity, diet, sleep patterns, and screen time or work routine. So, the pandemic has had profound influence on the mental health of the entire societies. As the mental health status of Bangladeshi patients living in rural area that have recovered from COVID-19 has not been previously studied, this gap is addressed through the present investigation focusing on one rural Bangladeshi community.

METHODS

A convenience sampling method was employed to recruit participants for this cross-sectional study. Data was gathered by conducting face-to-face interviews with 243 recovered COVID-19 patients (as confirmed by a positive Reverse Transcription PCR test) attending a local primary health care facility center and instructed to consider how they felt in the preceding week.

RESULTS

By administering a validated Bengali version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to measure participants' mental health status, we noted that 24% of the sample exhibited depressive symptoms. In addition, 30.9% and 21.8% of the participants experienced stress symptoms and reported anxiety, respectively. Sociodemographic factors such as female sex, lower educational level, living away from family, smaller living accommodations, and lower economic status significantly predicted mental health outcomes in multivariate logistic regressions.

CONCLUSION

These results may help health care providers formulate proper mental health interventions and preventive measures to minimize the mental health problems among patients that have recovered from COVID-19.

Understanding the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being among university students in Dhaka, Bangladesh: A nested mixed-methods study

Background

University students are more at risk of mental illness compared with the general population. Declaration of a global COVID-19 pandemic led the Bangladesh government in March 2020 to implement a national lockdown, home quarantining, social distancing measures, and closure of educational institutions. We aimed to explore the impact of lockdown on the mental health and well-being of university students in Bangladesh.

Methods

A nested mixed-methods survey design was undertaken using a semi structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews conducted by telephone of 73 university students (mean age of 22 years, range 18 to 26-years-old) attending public and private academic institutions in Dhaka. A questionnaire was developed de-novo and pre-tested. Qualitative, open-ended questions were used to understand experiences regarding students' mental health and well-being, their perceptions of COVID-19, and coping strategies.

Results

Fifty nine percent of students reported that lockdown had a significant impact on their mental health and well-being. They described difficulties with social isolation and loneliness, motivation, and interpersonal conflict within families. Students' knowledge of COVID-19 were high with television, newspapers, online, and social media were main sources of information; few relied on government reports. Most pressing concerns were timely graduation and employment (83%), not being able to socialize (46%), being stuck at home (37%), and financial difficulties regarding university fees (29%). Additional underlying stressors included financial insecurity of respondents' households and parental health. Coping strategies included watching television or films, online meetings with friends, social media, as well interactions with family.

Conclusion

As a result of Bangladesh's first national lockdown, university students experienced negative effects on their mental health and well-being. There is an urgent need for greater proactive measures within educational settings, such as mental health literacy programmes and diagnosis management that could mitigate and prevent adverse impacts of future lockdowns.

Variations in anxiety and emotional support among first-year college students across different learning modes (distance and face-to-face) during COVID-19

College students with more emotional support experience lower levels of anxiety and other psychosocial and behavioral problems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the emotional well-being of college students was additionally challenged by an abrupt shift to distance learning followed by a return to face-to-face classes. In this exploratory study, we compared the levels of perceived emotional support and anxiety among incoming first-year undergraduate students, prior to starting classes, which included different learning modes in five semesters of instruction from 2021-2023 (three distance semesters and two face-to-face semesters). Data from 8659 undergraduate students were extracted from a Mexican state university database, corresponding to students' responses collected during new student orientation week. Participants were students in the arts and humanities (9.7%), social and legal sciences (38%), life and health sciences (28.9%), and engineering and architecture (23.4%). Anxiety levels were measured with the GAD-7 scale, and emotional support was measured using a subscale of the PERACT-R (To go through with resilience) inventory. Comparisons of emotional support and anxiety scores among semesters revealed highly significant differences with small effect sizes. Anxiety levels increased significantly with mean average of 6.65 SD(5.52) during the baseline measure to the highest in 2022-2 to 7.53 SD(5.3) and Emotional Support decreased systematically each semester from baseline mean = 8.03 SD(2.0) to the lowest 7.52 SD(1.8) in 2022-2. The results show that a return to face-to-face classes was associated with increased anxiety levels, whereas levels of emotional support systematically decreased across the five semesters. MANOVA analysis revealed significant differences in anxiety and emotional support scores between semesters, with peaks during the learning mode semester that students returned to face-to-face classes after distance learning even after adjusting for gender. Given that the effect of emotional support on anxiety may be related to success in future educational and professional activities, it is important to develop interventions to restore and increase college students' emotional support levels and develop anxiety management strategies.

The Prevalence of Anxiety Among University Students in the United Arab Emirates Following the COVID-19 Lockdown

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic, with its consequential lifestyle changes, is anticipated to contribute to increased anxiety levels, particularly among university students who already contend with significant academic stress. We aim to assess the prevalence of anxiety among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the COVID-19 lockdown period.

METHODS

We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among students enrolled in UAE universities. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to gather demographic data, assess anxiety levels using the generalized anxiety disorder-7 scale, explore potential factors associated with heightened anxiety, investigate the impact of increased anxiety on academic performance, and identify coping mechanisms employed post-lockdown.

RESULTS

Of the 369 participating students, anxiety levels were minimal in 87 (23.6%), mild in 163 (44.2%), and moderate to severe in 119 (32.2%) subjects. Moreover, increased anxiety levels were significantly correlated with poor/fair sleep quality (p=0.002). Importantly, students with moderate to severe anxiety levels exhibited poorer performance in exams and assignments (p=0.001) and encountered difficulties in maintaining focus on studies (p<0.001). The predominant coping mechanisms employed by students included self-distraction, prayer, and maintaining a positive attitude.

CONCLUSION

The majority of students in our study experienced mild to severe levels of anxiety following the COVID-19 lockdown period. We hope that our findings will prompt university and government officials to implement effective screening and preventive strategies to adequately support university students in future public health crises.

The effect of midwifery students' changing life conditions and e-learning experiences on the state of their anxiety and hopelessness during the Covid-19 pandemic

Background

Giving the existing formal education through the internet without a planned transition to distance education negatively affected the learning processes of the students.

Objectives

The study aims to identify the midwifery students' changing life conditions and e- learning experiences on the state of their anxiety and hopelessness during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods

Designed as cross-sectional research, the study was performed with the participation of 1,296 midwifery undergraduate students. The survey form comprised of questions that explored the students' demographic characteristics, life conditions changing during the Covid-19 pandemic and distance education experiences, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale were used in the data collection.

Findings

It was discerned that, of the participant midwifery students, 55.2% spent the period of the pandemic in the province center, 51.7% used smartphones to have access to the distance education, 50.3% had trouble in following up the courses due to the limited computer and internet access, 63.5% failed to follow up the courses because of the infrastructure problems related to the distance education. It was found that, of the participant midwifery students, 54.6% exhibited anxiety symptoms and 26.3% had hopelessness symptoms. It was identified that having trouble in following up the courses increased anxiety by 1.438 times (CI:1.103-1.875) and hopelessness by 1.980 times (CI:1.459-2.687), having tensions in the family relations increased anxiety by 2.362 times (CI:1.780-3.134) and hopelessness by 1.789 times (CI:1.235-2.594), and having psychological support for anxiety and worry increased anxiety by 2.914 times (CI:2.208-3.8477) and hopelessness by 1.875 times (CI:1.083-3.247). It was ascertained that hopelessness increased anxiety by 2.878 times (CI:2.075-3.991) whilst anxiety increased hopelessness by 2.755 times (CI:1.985-3.823) (p<0.05).

Conclusion

As well as the Covid-19 pandemic, health, social life, and economic changes; the digital separation that accompanies distance education also affects the students' mental health. Solving the technical problems experienced in distance education, facilitating the follow-up of the courses, and equipping the midwifery students with problem-solving and coping skills will be useful for reducing the midwifery students' hopelessness and anxiety levels.

Assessment of mental wellbeing of university students in Bangladesh using Goldberg's GHQ-12: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aims

The mental well-being of university students is a primary public health concern worldwide, including in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of the overall mental health status among Bangladeshi university students. The study used larger and more diverse sample compared to previous studies, and also explored factors associated with the mental health well-being of those students.

Methods

Data were collected through an online questionnaire, utilizing the proportional allocation method, from students in various universities across Bangladesh. The sample included 2036 participants. The study applied Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) using the GHQ2+ threshold (i.e., having more than two symptoms). A binary outcome variable was created with two levels: "good mental health" and "poor mental health," to assess the mental health status of the university students. The explanatory variables were age, gender, academic year, type of university, and sources of personal expenses. Exploratory data analysis, association tests, and binary logistic regression models were used to identify factors influencing the outcome variable.

Results

A total of 55.9% of students (male: 52.6% and female: 62.8%) exhibited poor mental health status. Female students' mental health was found to be worse (odds ratio [OR]: 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-1.81) compared to that of males. Similarly, public university students displayed a worse mental health condition than their counterparts in private universities (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.03-1.61).

Conclusion

The overall mental health of university students in Bangladesh is concerning. There is a pressing need for effective mental health policies and interventions to bolster the mental well-being of university students, with a specific focus on students from public universities and females.

Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Relation to the Use of Digital Technologies: Longitudinal Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Adolescents are susceptible to mental illness and have experienced substantial disruption owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The digital environment is increasingly important in the context of a pandemic when in-person social connection is restricted.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to estimate whether depression and anxiety had worsened compared with the prepandemic period and examine potential associations with sociodemographic characteristics and behavioral factors, particularly digital behaviors.

METHODS

We analyzed cross-sectional and longitudinal data from a large, representative Greater London adolescent cohort study: the Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones (SCAMP). Participants completed surveys at T1 between November 2016 and July 2018 (N=4978; aged 13 to 15 years) and at T2 between July 2020 and June 2021 (N=1328; aged 16 to 18 years). Depression and anxiety were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, respectively. Information on the duration of total mobile phone use, social network site use, and video gaming was also collected using questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of sociodemographic characteristics, digital technology use, and sleep duration with clinically significant depression and anxiety.

RESULTS

The proportion of adolescents who had clinical depression and anxiety significantly increased at T2 (depression: 140/421, 33.3%; anxiety: 125/425, 29.4%) compared with the proportion of adolescents at T1 (depression: 57/421, 13.5%; anxiety: 58/425, 13.6%; P for 2-proportion z test <.001 for both depression and anxiety). Depression and anxiety levels were similar between the summer holiday, school opening, and school closures. Female participants had higher odds of new incident depression (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% CI 1.5-4.18) and anxiety (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.23-3.61) at T2. A high level of total mobile phone use at T1 was associated with developing depression at T2 (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.02-3.49). Social network site use was associated with depression and anxiety cross-sectionally at T1 and T2 but did not appear to be associated with developing depression or anxiety longitudinally. Insufficient sleep at T1 was associated with developing depression at T2 (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.31-3.91).

CONCLUSIONS

The mental health of this large sample of adolescents from London deteriorated during the pandemic without noticeable variations relating to public health measures. The deterioration was exacerbated in girls, those with preexisting high total mobile phone use, and those with preexisting disrupted sleep. Our findings suggest the necessity for allocating resources to address these modifiable factors and target high-risk groups.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on University Students' Mental Health: A Literature Review

This review aims to focus on the effects of COVID-19 on university students' mental health and deepen our understanding of it. The conclusions are based on the review of 32 studies conducted during the pandemic. This review confirms that university students were at high risk for mental health disorders, heightened stress, and increased sleep comorbidities both pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. This literature review confirmed a few universal trends, i.e., increased stress, anxiety, and depression, during the pandemic. The rates of insomnia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and suicidal ideation also went up. Overall, female students are at a disadvantage in the development of mental health issues. Male students coped better but may be at higher risk for lethality in suicidal ideation. Students with a history of mental health issues and other comorbidities prior to the pandemic had worse outcomes compared to healthy individuals. The study points to a strong positive correlation between fear and increased rates of stress, anxiety, and insomnia. There is also a positive correlation between declining mental health and online learning. A strong negative correlation was present between physical activity and depressive symptoms. These findings are universal across many countries and regions where the studies occurred.

Generalized anxiety disorder in Brazilian undergraduate dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Explore the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and associated factors in undergraduate dental students during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study. A semi-structured questionnaire addressing the variables of interest was shared with dental students between July 8 and 27 2020. The outcome was determined using the seven-item generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) scale. A 'positive' diagnosis was defined as a total of ≥10 points on the scale. Statistical analysis involved descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses, with the significance level set at 5%.

RESULTS

Among the 1050 students evaluated, 53.8% had a positive diagnosis for GAD. The multivariate analysis revealed that the prevalence of symptoms was higher among individuals who resided with more than three people, those enrolled at teaching institutions that suspended all clinical and laboratory activities, those who did not have an adequate home situation to maintain distance learning, those who had been diagnosed with COVID-19, those who felt anxious about having to see patients with a suspicion or diagnosis of COVID-19 and those who preferred to interrupt in-person academic activities until the population is vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of GAD was high. Aspects related to the composition and organization of the home, the suspension of academic activities, a history of COVID-19 contamination, feelings of anxiety in providing dental care to patients with symptoms/suspected of COVID-19 infection and the preference to interrupt in-person academic activities until the population is vaccinated for COVID-19 were factors predisposing the students to anxiety during the first wave of the pandemic.

Emotional experiences and study motivation among Italian university students during the second wave of COVID-19

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between emotional experiences and study motivation in a group of nonworking and never-infected university students, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: Participants (N = 353; aged M = 21.5; SD = 2.8) were mostly female (76.2%) Italian university students. Methods: They completed an online assessment that included self-report measures of fear during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, intolerance of uncertainty, optimism, and study motivation. Results: Our findings showed that older students were more optimistic than younger students. Besides, fear of COVID-19, intolerance of uncertainty, and pessimism predicted worse study motivation. Conclusions: Greater psychological support should be reserved for younger students to prevent emotional experiences that might affect the learning goal.

To be a freshman during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-lagged model of depression, mentalizing, and epistemic trust

Research has shown that severity of depression increased in freshmen during their first months at university due to increased social and academic pressures. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, several cross-sectional studies have suggested that levels of depression in university students are higher than before the pandemic, but longitudinal data are largely lacking. This study investigated severity of depression and negative affect linked to the pandemic among freshmen during their first semester at a large university in Flanders, Belgium. We also investigated whether epistemic trust predicted severity of depression and pandemic-related negative affect and whether problems with reflective functioning (or mentalizing) mediated these relations. Participants in this two-wave prospective study were 289 first-year students of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of a large Belgian university. We conducted paired samples t-tests and cross-panel analysis to answer the research question. The number of students at risk of clinical depression increased by 41% between T1 (early October 2020) and T2 (late December 2020). Epistemic mistrust at T1 was prospectively associated with an increase in the prevalence and severity of depression at T2. Problems with mentalizing and negative COVID-19-related affect were positively associated with severity of depression at T2 and mediated the association between epistemic mistrust and severity of depression at T2. The findings highlight the key role of epistemic trust in the development of depression among freshmen, with the COVID-19 pandemic presenting an additional source of uncertainty.

Facebook addiction and sleep problems in peruvian university students after the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have reported an increase in sleep problems and problematic use of social media platforms such as Facebook among university students. This study assessed Facebook addiction and sleep problems among Peruvian university students following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the factors associated with these issues.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 352 participants from different regions of Peru. The Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS-4) and the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS) were used to assess sleep problems and Facebook addiction, respectively. Prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated using a simple Poisson regression with robust variance.

Results

The study found that 16.2 % of the participants were addicted to Facebook and 12.5 % reported sleep problems. The results also showed that older age (PR: 0.99; 95 % CI: 0.98-0.99) and physical activity (PR: 0.81; 95 % CI: 0.70-0.94) were associated with a lower likelihood of having sleep problems, while being physically active (PR: 0.55; 95 % CI: 0.33 to 0.90) was associated with a lower probability of having Facebook addiction problems.

Conclusions

The Peruvian university students who participated in this study reported sleep problems in one-eighth of the sample, and one in six university students reported Facebook addiction problems. The frequency of presenting Facebook addiction and sleep problems was lower in those with older age and engaging in physical activity.

Factors affecting medical students' intention to use Rain Classroom: a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Rain Classroom was one of the most popular online learning platforms in Chinese higher education during the pandemic. However, there is little research on user intention under the guidance of technology acceptance and unified theory (UTAUT).

OBJECTIVE

This research aims to determine factors influencing students' behavioural intention to use Rain Classroom.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional and correlational investigation, 1138 medical students from five medical universities in Guangxi Province, China, made up the sample. This study added self-efficacy (SE), motivation (MO), stress (ST), and anxiety (AN) to the UTAUT framework. This study modified the framework by excluding actual usage variables and focusing only on intention determinants. SPSS-26 and AMOS-26 were used to analyze the data. The structural equation modelling technique was chosen to confirm the hypotheses.

RESULTS

Except for facilitating conditions (FC), all proposed factors, including performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), self-efficacy (SE), motivation (MO), anxiety (AN), and stress (ST), had a significant effect on students' behavioural intentions to use Rain Classroom.

CONCLUSIONS

The research revealed that the proposed model, which was based on the UTAUT, is excellent at identifying the variables that influence students' behavioural intentions in the Rain Classroom. Higher education institutions can plan and implement productive classrooms.

Determinants of anxiety and depression among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A hospital-based study in Bangladesh amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Anxiety and depression are common psychological disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which was upsurging worldwide amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore factors associated with anxiety and depression among T2DM patients in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted among T2DM patients using face-to-face interviews. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the CAS and PHQ-9 scales. Outcomes were assessed including sociodemographic, lifestyle, anthropometric, and challenges of getting routine medical and healthcare access-related questions. The prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 29.8% and 22.7%, respectively. Regression analysis reported that males older than 50 years, illiterate, unemployed or retired, urban residents, below the recommended level of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), low dietary diversity score (DDS) and obese respondents were associated with higher odds of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Moreover, respondents with transport difficulties, unaffordable medicine, medicine shortages, close friends or family members diagnosed with COVID-19 and financial problems during COVID-19 had higher odds of anxiety and depressive symptoms than their counterparts, respectively. Our study suggests providing psychological support, such as home-based psychological interventions, and highlighting policy implications to ensure the well-being of T2DM patients in Bangladesh during the pandemic.

Sociodemographic determinants of depression, anxiety, and stress immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study among university students in Saudi Arabia

Background

The public health measures taken in educational institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic had complex influences on students' mental health. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic among students at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among Qassim University students in Saudi Arabia. All students registered for the academic year 2022 were invited to participate in a survey through social media. A total of 453 participants completed an online survey that included the DASS-21 for assessing the emotional states of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress..

Results

The mean scores for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress, were 10.70, 11.18, and 10.40, respectively. At least 18% of the students reported experiencing moderate-to-severe levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress. The study showed that the feminine gender was associated with higher Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scores.

Conclusion

Students in the current study described experiencing higher levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of the present study can help universities take targeted measures to address the impact of a pandemic like COVID-19 on students' mental health.

Predictive Machine Learning Models for Assessing Lebanese University Students' Depression, Anxiety, and Stress During COVID-19

University students are experiencing a mental health crisis. COVID-19 has exacerbated this situation. We have surveyed students in 2 universities in Lebanon to gauge their mental health challenges. We have constructed a machine learning (ML) approach to predict symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress based on demographics and self-rated health measures. Our approach involved developing 8 ML predictive models, including Logistic Regression (LR), multi-layer perceptron (MLP) neural network, support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF) and XGBoost, AdaBoost, Naïve Bayes (NB), and K-Nearest neighbors (KNN). Following their construction, we compared their respective performances. Our evaluation shows that RF (AUC = 78.27%), NB (AUC = 76.37%), and AdaBoost (AUC = 72.96%) have provided the highest-performing AUC scores for depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Self-rated health is found to be the top feature in predicting depression, while age was the top feature in predicting anxiety and stress, followed by self-rated health. Future work will focus on using data augmentation approaches and extending to multi-class anxiety predictions.

Resilience of University Students During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic and Results of a Pilot Positive Psychotherapy Intervention Study

Objective

University students were significantly affected by the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic, with significant impacts on their mental health, resilience skills, and life skills. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate these parameters by focusing on the experiences of 472 university students as well as examining correlations between mental states, resilience, and life skills. The secondary aim was to conduct a pilot study of a 10-week psychoeducation program that uses positive psychotherapy to improve resilience skills.

Methods

The first phase of this research project was designed as a quantitative and correlative study, while the second phase was designed as a quasi-experimental model. Data collection tools used in the first phase included the Sociodemographic Information Form, Life Skills Scale (LSS), Symptom Checklist (SCL90R), and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). The Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) was used in the second phase. The sample group for the first phase was 472 university students from several university institutes in Cyprus, while the quasi-experimental group consisted of 33 psychology students from the University of Cyprus.

Results

The average mental symptoms score for students based on SCL90R was 1.10 ± 0.70, showing they have psychological symptoms and grievances. Significant negative correlations were found between the BRS general score and the LSS general and SCL90R scores (all P = .001). The model was found to be significant and could explain 18.5% of the effect according to the predictive status of LSS and SCL90R scores in BRS scores.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides vital insights into the mental well-being of university students during the pandemic. The findings reveal a concerning prevalence of psychological symptoms and distress among students, indicating a significant impact of the COVID-19 crisis on their mental health. This research also demonstrated the effectiveness of targeted interventions. The positive changes in resilience skills and reduced mental health symptoms observed after the 10-week study period highlight the importance of proactive approaches. This study underscores the urgent need for accessible mental health resources and tailored support mechanisms for university students, especially during times of crisis. Addressing these issues is crucial for fostering a resilient and mentally healthy student population.

The Impact of COVID-Related Restrictions on the Mental Health of Students

The first stage of the COVID pandemic in spring and early summer of 2020 was shaped by restrictions due to the so-called flattening-the-curve approach. Students globally were impacted when public and private colleges and universities were forced to either shut down temporarily or transition to remote learning. Studies from around the world found increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Female students often reported being more affected than male students. Suicide rates, however, did not increase. The second stage, starting in late summer 2020, saw the highest case numbers but also a slow and mostly partial return to normal life enabled by vaccination efforts and policy decisions. The mental health of students in most countries recovered well, even when they had to go through repeated or continued lockdowns or restrictions. Although it cannot be predicted what portion of students will be affected by mental health issues in ten or twenty years, it is certain that there will be long-term mental health consequences for many. It is also uncertain which approach, "living with COVID" or "zero COVID," will show less impact on the mental health of students' long term.

The Effect of Psychological Distress on Adolescents' Academic Engagement: The Roles of Social-Emotional Competence and Teachers' Caring Behavior

Purpose

The relationship between psychological distress (PD) and academic engagement (AE) in adolescents is widely recognized. However, there is a lack of research on the mechanisms behind this correlation, especially in COVID-19 pandemic policy liberalization. This study proposed a moderated mediation model to determine the mediating role of social-emotional competence (SEC) between PD and AE and the moderating role of teachers' caring behavior (TCB).

Patients and methods

The moderated mediation model was tested by PROCESS macro developed based on SPSS with Chinese adolescents aged 13-18 years (n = 8625; male 50.5%) as survey respondents. Multiple scales, including the 6-item Kessler PD Scale, SEC Scale, TCB Scale, and AE Scale, were used in this test.

Results

Adolescent PD negatively predicted AE. In addition, SEC partially mediated the relationship between adolescent PD and AE. TCB moderated the direct and indirect relationships between PD and AE, which mitigated the negative effect of PD on AE and enhanced the positive effect of SEC on AE.

Conclusion

Adolescent SEC and TCB are essential in mediating PD and AE. This study provided instructions for schools and teachers to intervene in adolescents' PD and academic problems, such as improving SEC and engaging in TCB in an adequate and timely manner. In addition, these findings provided vital references for adolescent mental health interventions in future large-scale public health events.

COVID-19 school closures and mental health of adolescent students: Evidence from rural Mozambique

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, entailing widespread school closures as well as acute disruptions to household livelihoods, had substantial consequences for adolescent well-being in low-income countries. We present novel evidence about the prevalence of mental health challenges among adolescent students in rural Mozambique using data from an in-person survey conducted in 105 schools in 2021, immediately following the post-pandemic school reopening. In our sample, 31% of students reported low levels of well-being (though only 10% suffer from high anxiety): students enrolled in schools that used a wider variety of distance learning measures and who had more robust social networks reported lower anxiety, while students who experienced household-level disruptions linked to the pandemic reported higher anxiety and lower well-being.

School life in COVID-19 post-lockdown: differential effects of socio-demographics and adjustments on mental health indicators among university students

We examined the differential effects of some socio-demographic; and the separate and interactive effects of types of adjustments on university students' mental health indicators (somatic symptoms, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction and depression). In a cross-sectional approach, we selected 603 undergraduates (Mage = 21.88, SD = 2.25) from a Nigerian university who answered a structured questionnaire that included measures of studied variables from June to August 2021. No gender difference was observed in students' mental health indicators. Social dysfunction was most reported by 3rd year students; while those from separated homes reported both anxiety and depression most. Somatic symptoms, social dysfunction, anxiety, and depression were higher among students with poor academic, social, emotional, or attachment adjustments. Students who struggled academically and socially reported more social symptoms; whereas those who struggled academically and emotionally were more depressed. Additionally, students with low social and attachment adjustments reported higher social dysfunction and depression; while those with low academic, emotional, and attachment adjustments reported higher anxiety and depression. Adjustment mechanisms are essential for students to enjoy good mental health during COVID-19 post-lockdown irrespective of their gender; especially those from broken homes. Psychological supports are regularly required to improve students' mental health during COVID-19 post-lockdown.

Psychological disturbances encountered by selected undergraduates studying at the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka during the Covid-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

University undergraduates are increasingly recognized as a vulnerable population with a higher level of psychological disturbances. During the Covid-19 pandemic, universities closed all over the world, resulting in the psychological well-being of this population being severely affected across the globe. This study examined the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms encountered by undergraduates of the selected five faculties at the University of Ruhuna in Southern Sri Lanka due to the Covid-19 pandemic, its associated factors, and the correlations between stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. An online, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among undergraduates using pre-tested, self-administered questionnaires from the randomly selected five faculties: Allied Health Sciences, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management and Finance, and Medicine. Undergraduates were invited to complete the Google Form. Socio-demographic details and a 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (21-DASS) were used for data collection. Stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were evaluated using a Sinhala version of the 21-DASS scale. Ethical permission was granted by the Ethics Review Committee of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna. Among the 359 undergraduates, the majority were represented by females (62.1%). The mean age of the sample was 23.67 years (SD ± 1.6). Stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were found to be prevalent in 53.7%, 41.8%, and 63.8% of undergraduates respectively. Younger and female undergraduates had more impact on psychological issues than their counterparts. It revealed a significant positive correlation between anxiety and depressive symptoms (r = 0.646, p < .001), anxiety and stress (r = 0.868, p < .001), and stress and anxiety (r = 0.786, p < .001). Most undergraduates experienced considerable levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms during the Covid-19 as increasing stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms, tend to increase all types of psychological disturbances. The development of mental health among undergraduates is essential and needs innovative strategies to improve the psychological well-being of undergraduates. The initiation of a stress management programme and expanded available counseling services are also important. Further studies are needed to be conducted on the extended topic of how the Covid-19 era is affecting the psychological well-being of undergraduates from different universities (state/non-state), locations, and different study departments.

Internet addiction, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms are associated with the risk of eating disorders among university students in Bangladesh

The risk of developing an eating disorder among university students is higher than the general population in Bangladesh. Since psychiatric disorders (such as depression and anxiety) and addictive behaviors (e.g., internet addiction) predominantly exist among university students in the country, these may increase their vulnerability to developing an eating disorder. The association of internet addiction, depression, and anxiety with the risk of eating disorders among Bangladeshi university students is relatively unknown; therefore, this study investigates the association. This study was a cross-sectional design. Students (N = 700) from two public universities in Bangladesh completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) tool, and Orman's Internet Addiction Survey (OIAS) to measure exposure variables. Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) assessed the outcome variable. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that internet addiction [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for moderate addiction = 2.15 and severe addiction = 3.95], depressive (aOR 3.04), and anxiety (aOR 2.06) symptoms were associated with an increased risk of eating disorder among study participants. Future longitudinal studies on university students are recommended to gain a better understanding about the causal factors of eating disorder to support intervention initiatives and strategies by public health practitioners and policy experts.

Patterns, prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence and its association with mental health status during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study on early married female adolescents in Khulna district, Bangladesh

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to identify the patterns, prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) against female adolescents and its association with mental health problems.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTINGS

Dumuria Upazila (subdistrict) under the Khulna district of Bangladesh.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 304 participants were selected purposively based on some specifications: they must be female adolescents, residents of Dumuria Upazila and married during the COVID-19 pandemic when under 18 years of age.

OUTCOME MEASURES

By administering a semi-structured interview schedule, data were collected regarding IPV using 12 five-point Likert scale items; a higher score from the summation reflects frequent violence.

RESULTS

The findings suggest that the prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional IPV among the 304 participants, who had an average age of 17.1 years (SD=1.42), was 89.5%, 87.8% and 93.7%, respectively, whereas 12.2% of the participants experienced severe physical IPV, 9.9% experienced severe sexual IPV and 10.5% experienced severe emotional IPV. Stepwise regression models identified age at marriage (p=0.001), number of miscarriages (p=0.005), education of spouse (p=0.001), income of spouse (p=0.016), age gap between spouses (p=0.008), marital adjustment (p<0.001) and subjective happiness (p<0.001) as significant risk factors. Hierarchical regression, however, indicated that age at marriage (p<0.001), age gap between spouses (p<0.001), marital adjustment (p<0.001) and subjective happiness (p<0.001) had negative associations with IPV, while the number of miscarriages (p<0.001) had a positive relationship. Pearson's correlation showed that IPV was significantly associated with depression, anxiety and stress.

CONCLUSION

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in IPV and mental health problems among early married adolescents was documented. To reduce physical and mental harm and to assure their well-being, preventive and rehabilitative measures should be devised.

Factors affecting COVID-19's mental health impact on college students in the southeastern United States

Emerging evidence confirms COVID-19's negative impact on college students' mental health; however, more research is needed to identify factors that promoted or hindered college students' mental health early in the pandemic. This exploratory study addressed this need. Participants were 697 students attending a large, state, urban university in the southeastern United States. Using a cross-sectional survey design, participants completed an anonymous, online survey assessing socio-demographic variables, mental health issues, and activities during the lockdown period in 2020. Findings suggest college students in the southeastern US who were women or transgender men and had pre-existing mental health conditions, fewer routine activities, and high exposure to COVID-19 news reported more mental health problems early in the pandemic. Students who exercised daily had fewer symptoms of anxiety and post-traumatic stress than students who exercised monthly, but there were no differences in emotional responses to COVID-19 based on exercise frequency. Tailored strategies to address college students' needs in response to the current or future pandemics are needed and should take into consideration factors that promote or hinder mental health. Patient or Public Contribution: College students were participants in this study. College students who were not participants in this study assisted with the implementation of this study.

Stress and sleep quality in medical students: a cross-sectional study from Vietnam

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant global social and economic disruptions, as well as changes in personal attitude and behavior. The purpose of this research is to assess the sleep quality and stress levels of medical students.

Method

Data was collected from medical students over the course of a month in 2021. A total of 4,677 students at the University of Medicine Pham Ngoc Thach were invited to complete an anonymous web-based survey, which included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire Index (PSQI) for measuring sleep quality and the COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire (CSSQ) for evaluating stress.

Results

A total of 1,502 students participated in our survey. More than half of the participants exhibited poor quality of sleep as indicated by their PSQI score. Many students reported going to bed after midnight and spending time on their smartphones. Among the students surveyed, 21.84% experienced low levels of stress (CSSQ ≤6), 63.38% had mild stress (7 ≤ CSSQ score ≤ 14), 14.78% reported high levels of stress (CSSQ >14).

Conclusion

This study showed a high prevalence of poor sleep quality in the surveyed students, which could be attributed to changes in their behavior following the COVID-19 outbreak. Mild stress was also frequently observed, and it may be related to sleep disorders in this population. These important findings provide valuable insights for making recommendations, including lifestyle modifications to improve sleep quality.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of university students towards monkeypox in Bangladesh

The recent outbreak of viral zoonotic disease-monkeypox-caused by the monkeypox virus, has infected many people worldwide. This study aims to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning monkeypox among university students in Bangladesh. Data were collected using purposive snowball sampling from 887 university students through an online survey using Google Form. The participants were mostly in their twenties (M = 22.33 [SD 2.01] years), and they spent, on average, 2.59 [SD 1.91] hours/day on electronic and social media. The participants generally showed moderate knowledge (39.5%), low attitude (25.1%), and moderate practice (48.6%) toward monkeypox, with 47.6% having had a moderate KAP score. Findings further showed that personal attributes of university students, i.e., age, sex, year of schooling, residence, living status, geographical distribution, e.g., division, were statistically and significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding monkeypox and overall KAP score. It is also apparent that health status, susceptibility to monkeypox, and exposure to social media were the most common factors significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding monkeypox and overall KAP score. The current study's findings underscore the need for developing appropriate information, education, and communication (IEC) materials and their dissemination, which could play an important role in reducing the risk of monkeypox and similar other infectious diseases, particularly among students in Bangladesh.

Insomnia and depression levels among Malaysian undergraduate students in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) during Movement Control Order (MCO)

Rapid outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 has caused the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) which aimed to reduce the spread in Covid-19 infections. While some may find it easy to adjust to the new norm, others found it difficult to switch from their normal routines and habits as according to the MCO SOP. This resulted in a more frequent insomnia and depression that subsequently impacted their mental health. Insomnia and depression levels are examined in this study as they relate to the Covid-19 Pandemic and the MCO among Malaysian undergraduate health sciences students at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UPM. Random sampling methods were utilised with consideration of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were the instrument packages used in this investigation. An internet platform was used to distribute the questionnaire. Based on the results, it is concluded that depression and insomnia are significantly correlated, with a p-value of 0.05. This study also revealed the link between the severity of insomnia and the severity of depression among UPM students studying health sciences. The percentage of students with depression and insomnia was rather high (54.9% and 33.9%, respectively), and this occurred during the second wave of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia.

COVID-19 in Bangladesh: Wave-centric assessments and mitigation measures for future pandemics

The ongoing pandemic COVID-19 caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has wreaked havoc globally by affecting millions of lives. Although different countries found the implementation of emergency measures useful to combat the viral pandemic, many countries are still experiencing the resurgence of COVID-19 cases with new variants even after following strict containment guidelines. Country-specific lessons learned from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic can be utilized in commencing a successful battle against the potential future outbreaks. In this article, we analyzed the overall scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh from Alpha to Omicron variant and discussed the demographic, political, economic, social, and environmental influences on the mitigation strategies employed by the country to combat the pandemic. We also tried to explore the preparedness and precautionary measures taken by the responsible authorities, the choice of strategies implemented, and the effectiveness of the response initiated by the government and relevant agencies. Finally, we discussed the possible strategies that might help Bangladesh to combat future COVID-19 waves and other possible pandemics based on the experiences gathered from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Anxiety, depression, and stress prevalence among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Since the end of 2019, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak rapidly became a pandemic. The psychological state of people during the COVID-19 pandemic has gained interest. Our aim was to study the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A systematic search of Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was conducted up to September 20, 2020. Reviewers independently assessed full-text articles according to predefined criteria. Stata14/SE was used to calculate the prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of anxiety, depression, and stress among college students from different countries. A random effects model was adopted. The Egger test was used to determine publication bias. Results: A total of 280 references were retrieved, and 28 papers met our inclusion criteria, for a total of 436,799 college students. Thirteen studies involved non-Chinese college students, and 15 studies involved Chinese college students. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress was 29% (95% CI, 19-25%), 37% (95% CI, 32-42%), and 23% (95% CI, 8-39%), respectively. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative psychological effect on college students, and the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among Chinese college students is lower than among non-Chinese college students.

University Experience during the First Two Waves of COVID-19: Students' Experiences and Psychological Wellbeing

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to analyze Italian university students' psychological needs, learning experiences, and wellbeing during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

The study was carried out during the first wave of the pandemic, and then during the second. A total of 1230 university students (654 in stage 1 and 576 in stage 2) completed a battery of validated questionnaires exploring students' experiences in distance learning, perceived health risks related to COVID-19, and psychological wellbeing.

RESULTS

MANOVA showed a significant main effect of the pandemic stage on students' learning experience and wellbeing. In particular, students were more distracted and concerned about their academic careers during the second phase of the pandemic than in the first. Furthermore, the pandemic stage also significantly affected health risk perceptions and fear of COVID-19, which were higher during the second wave of the pandemic. Female gender and concern for a university career were significant risk factors for high levels of negative affectivity and low levels of positive affectivity during the pandemic. In contrast, adherence to COVID-19 restriction measures and good family support were protective factors.

CONCLUSIONS

It is essential to promote adequate university psychological services to support university students who have experienced the adverse psychological effects of the pandemic and enhance the resilience factors needed to improve their wellbeing in the post-pandemic period.

COVID and depression among stratified population groups: a narrative review

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted and infiltrated every aspect of our lives. Successive lockdowns, social distancing measures, and reduction in economic activity have developed a new way of living and, in many cases, tend to lead to depression. The initial strict lockdown for about 3 months and eventually for a few more months has imposed greater challenges on children and adolescents in terms of psychological problems and psychiatric disorders. Regardless of their viral infection status, many people have been affected by the psychosocial changes associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. In the present review, we have attempted to evaluate the impact of COVID on the mental health of people from different age groups and occupations. The present review has highlighted the need for taking effective measures by the stakeholder to cope with depression among human population groups worldwide.