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Radovanovic J, Selakovic V, Mihaljevic O, Djordjevic J, Čolović S, Djordjevic JR, Janjic V, Jovicic M, Veselinovic S, Vukomanovic IS, Janicijevic K, Slovic Z, Radovanovic S, Djordjevic O, Djordjic M. Mental health status and coping strategies during COVID-19 pandemic among university students in Central Serbia. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1226836. [PMID: 37953939 PMCID: PMC10634511 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1226836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The objective of this research was to evaluate the occurrence of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as the level of life contentment and coping mechanisms employed by college students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A total of 588 students of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Higher School of Medicine, Kraljevo, University of Kragujevac, Central Serbia, participated in an online cross-sectional survey in the period September-October 2022. Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) was used to measure the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The Coping Questionnaire-a shorter version (Brief Cope Inventories) assesses the coping strategies a person uses in stressful situations, and the 5-item Life Satisfaction Scale is used to examine the level of life satisfaction. Results The symptoms of depression were reported by 34.9%, of anxiety by 47.1% and of stress by 44.2%. The type of faculty (p = 0.001), and place of residence (p = 0.036) correlated with depression, gender with anxiety (p = 0.001) and stress (p = 0.015). In terms of coping mechanisms, the most frequently mentioned strategies, based on average scores, were acceptance (5.76), positive interpretation (5.55), humor (5.46). Conclusion The adverse impact of COVID-19 was a risk factor for depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. A negative correlation exists between the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and the overall life satisfaction of university students. Offering the necessary assistance through psychological interventions and effective coping techniques is crucial in ensuring the optimal mental health of university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Radovanovic
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Viktor Selakovic
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Olgica Mihaljevic
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Jelena Djordjevic
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Sofija Čolović
- Department of Communication Skills, Ethics, and Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
- University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Clinic for Psychiatry, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Jelena R. Djordjevic
- Department of Communication Skills, Ethics, and Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
- University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Clinic for Psychiatry, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Janjic
- University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Clinic for Psychiatry, Kragujevac, Serbia
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
- Center for Harm Reduction of Biological and Chemical Hazards, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Milena Jovicic
- University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Clinic for Psychiatry, Kragujevac, Serbia
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Sladjana Veselinovic
- Department of Communication Skills, Ethics, and Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
- University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Clinic for Psychiatry, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Ivana Simic Vukomanovic
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Katarina Janicijevic
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Zivana Slovic
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
- University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Service, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Snezana Radovanovic
- Center for Harm Reduction of Biological and Chemical Hazards, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Ognjen Djordjevic
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Milan Djordjic
- Department of Communication Skills, Ethics, and Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
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Legros DN, Boyraz G. Mental health and help-seeking among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Roles of campus mental health climate and institutional support. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-9. [PMID: 37437198 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2227716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine college students' perceived mental health and help-seeking behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to determine the roles of campus mental health climate and institutional support on students' help-seeking behaviors and well-being. Participants: The sample included 123 students from a Northeastern United States University. Methods: Using a web-based survey and convenience sampling, data were collected in late 2021. Results: Most participants retrospectively reported a perceived decline in their mental health during the pandemic. Sixty-five percent of the participants reported that they did not receive professional help at a time when they needed it. Both campus mental health climate and institutional support were negatively related to anxiety symptoms. Greater institutional support predicted less social isolation. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of campus climate and support on students' well-being during the pandemic and the need for increasing students' access to mental health care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Güler Boyraz
- Psychology Department, Pace University, New York, New York, USA
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Gogoi M, Webb A, Pareek M, Bayliss CD, Gies L. University Students’ Mental Health and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the UniCoVac Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159322. [PMID: 35954680 PMCID: PMC9367732 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020 affected all major sectors, including higher education. The measures to contain the spread of this deadly disease led to the closure of colleges and universities across the globe, disrupting the lives of millions of students and subjecting them to a new world of online learning. These sudden disturbances coupled with the demands of a new learning system and the experiences of living through a pandemic have placed additional strains on the mental health of university students. Research on university students’ mental health, conducted during the pandemic, have found high levels of stress, anxiety and depression among students. In this qualitative study, we aimed to understand how pandemic experiences have affected student well-being by conducting in-depth interviews with 34 undergraduate students enrolled in a UK university. All interviews were conducted through Microsoft Teams and recorded with prior permission. Transcripts of recorded interviews were thematically analysed which identified two broad themes: (i) University students’ mental health and well-being experiences during the pandemic; (ii) factors that influenced students’ mental health and well-being. These factors were further distributed across six sub-themes: (a) isolation; (b) health and well-being; (c) bereavement; (d) academic concerns; (e) financial worries and; (f) support, coping, and resilience. Our study identifies the importance of mental health support to university students during pandemics and calls for measures to improve access to support services through these crisis points by universities. Findings can also inform students’ mental health and risk assessments in the aftermath of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayuri Gogoi
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK; (M.G.); (M.P.)
| | - Adam Webb
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK; (A.W.); (C.D.B.)
| | - Manish Pareek
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK; (M.G.); (M.P.)
- Department of Infection and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK
| | - Christopher D. Bayliss
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK; (A.W.); (C.D.B.)
| | - Lieve Gies
- School of Media, Communication and Sociology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
- Correspondence:
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Karikari I, Karikari G, Kyere E. Differential impact, differential adjustments: diverse experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic by college students in an Upper-Midwestern University, USA. SN SOCIAL SCIENCES 2021; 1:289. [PMID: 34909702 PMCID: PMC8660564 DOI: 10.1007/s43545-021-00287-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic though widespread is not monolithic. Therefore, a differentiated understanding of the pandemic’s impact on people is critical. Further, it is important to recognize that even within the same group people’s experiences may differ. The current study explored how the onset of COVID-19 and its mitigation measures impacted university students across the broad spectrum of their lives. The study utilized a qualitative approach based on individual and focus group interviews through Zoom. Participants were recruited using convenience and purposive sampling strategies. Twenty-one students (mean age = 33.8, over 76% whites, 15 females) participated in the study. Guided by systems and ecological systems theories and grounded in a contextualist paradigm, the data were analyzed thematically. Pseudonyms were adopted to preserve the anonymity of the participants. The findings revealed that COVID-19 has impacted students in varied ways ranging from the seemingly simple to the multi-layered and complex. An overarching theme, “same storm, different boats”, which conveys the notion of differential impact, and differential adjustments was identified. Nested under the overarching theme are two main themes (1) Impact of COVID-19: disruptions, stressors, and silver linings and (2) Coping with COVID-19. Participants reported positive as well as negative impacts. Factors that helped students cope included institutional support, empathy from instructors, and family support. The findings suggest that to effectively respond to the impact of COVID-19 on students, it will be important to identify and attend to the distinct and diverse stressors within this population, and systems and ecological systems theories are important guiding frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Karikari
- Department of Social Work, College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines, University of North Dakota, Gillette Hall 302, 225 Centennial Drive, Stop 7135, Grand Forks, ND 58202 USA
| | - Grace Karikari
- School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Room E161, 1301 N Columbia Rd Stop 9037, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037 USA
| | - Eric Kyere
- Indiana University School of Social Work, 902 W. New York St. Suite ES 4143C, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
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Zhu J, Racine N, Xie EB, Park J, Watt J, Eirich R, Dobson K, Madigan S. Post-secondary Student Mental Health During COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:777251. [PMID: 34955924 PMCID: PMC8709535 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.777251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed notable challenges to post-secondary students, causing concern for their psychological well-being. In the face of school closures, academic disruptions, and constraints on social gatherings, it is crucial to understand the extent to which mental health among post-secondary students has been impacted in order to inform support implementation for this population. The present meta-analysis examines the global prevalence of clinically significant depression and anxiety among post-secondary students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several moderator analyses were also performed to examine sources of variability in depression and anxiety prevalence rates. A systematic search was conducted across six databases on May 3, 2021, yielding a total of 176 studies (1,732,456 participants) which met inclusion criteria. Random-effects meta-analyses of 126 studies assessing depression symptoms and 144 studies assessing anxiety symptoms were conducted. The pooled prevalence estimates of clinically elevated depressive and anxiety symptoms for post-secondary students during the COVID-19 pandemic was 30.6% (95% CI: 0.274, 0.340) and 28.2% (CI: 0.246, 0.321), respectively. The month of data collection and geographical region were determined to be significant moderators. However, student age, sex, type (i.e., healthcare student vs. non-healthcare student), and level of training (i.e., undergraduate, university or college generally; graduate, medical, post-doctorate, fellow, trainee), were not sources of variability in pooled rates of depression and anxiety symptoms during the pandemic. The current study indicates a call for continued access to mental health services to ensure post-secondary students receive adequate support during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO website: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42021253547.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenney Zhu
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nicole Racine
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Julianna Park
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Julianna Watt
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Rachel Eirich
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Keith Dobson
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sheri Madigan
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
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