Mental health of undocumented college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a surge in mental health problems across the United States, and some reports suggest a more severe impact for racial and ethnic minorities. The present study was conducted to gain a preliminary understanding of the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic specifically for dreamers, i.e., undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as minors. A population of about 150 dreamers currently enrolled at a public university in Delaware were invited to participate in an online survey. The survey contained questions about demographics, mental health, academics, immigration, COVID-19 infection, and unemployment, in addition to mental health screens for anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), and stress (PSS-10). In total, 109 dreamers completed the survey. We observed remarkably high clinical levels of anxiety and depression: 47% of the dreamers met the clinical cutoff for anxiety, 63% met the cutoff for depression, and 67% (2 in 3) met the cutoff for anxiety and/or depression. Rates of anxiety and depression in our sample were significantly higher than those recently reported for college students overall, suggesting that dreamers may be experiencing a more severe mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also found that pandemic-induced concerns about finances, COVID-19 infection, immigration, and unemployment (among other factors) were associated with greater anxiety, stress, and depression among the dreamers in our sample. The present findings are consistent with recent predictions by social scientists that the COVID-19 pandemic would have a disproportionately negative impact on the mental health of undocumented immigrants.

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Stress-related emotional and behavioural impact following the first COVID-19 outbreak peak

Molecular Psychiatry ◽

10.1038/s41380-021-01219-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Asaf Benjamin ◽

Yael Kuperman ◽

Noa Eren ◽

Ron Rotkopf ◽

Maya Amitai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Impact ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Distress Symptoms ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Physiological Symptoms ◽

Individual Ability ◽

And Coping

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic poses multiple psychologically stressful challenges and is associated with an increased risk for mental illness. Previous studies have focused on the psychopathological symptoms associated with the outbreak peak. Here, we examined the behavioural and mental-health impact of the pandemic in Israel using an online survey, during the six weeks encompassing the end of the first outbreak and the beginning of the second. We used clinically validated instruments to assess anxiety- and depression-related emotional distress, symptoms, and coping strategies, as well as questions designed to specifically assess COVID-19-related concerns. Higher emotional burden was associated with being female, younger, unemployed, living in high socioeconomic status localities, having prior medical conditions, encountering more people, and experiencing physiological symptoms. Our findings highlight the environmental context and its importance in understanding individual ability to cope with the long-term stressful challenges of the pandemic.

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Perception of Health Conditions and Test Availability as Predictors of Adults’ Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey Study of Adults in Malaysia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17155498 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (15) ◽

pp. 5498 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Huiyang Dai ◽

Stephen X. Zhang ◽

Kim Hoe Looi ◽

Rui Su ◽

Jizhen Li

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Condition ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Survey Study ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Curvilinear Relationships ◽

Perception Of Health ◽

Anxiety Depression

Research identifying adults’ mental health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic relies solely on demographic predictors without examining adults’ health condition as a potential predictor. This study aims to examine individuals’ perception of health conditions and test availability as potential predictors of mental health—insomnia, anxiety, depression, and distress—during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey of 669 adults in Malaysia was conducted during 2–8 May 2020, six weeks after the Movement Control Order (MCO) was issued. We found adults’ perception of health conditions had curvilinear relationships (horizontally reversed J-shaped) with insomnia, anxiety, depression, and distress. Perceived test availability for COVID-19 also had curvilinear relationships (horizontally reversed J-shaped) with anxiety and depression. Younger adults reported worse mental health, but people from various religions and ethnic groups did not differ significantly in reported mental health. The results indicated that adults with worse health conditions had more mental health problems, and the worse degree deepened for unhealthy people. Perceived test availability negatively predicted anxiety and depression, especially for adults perceiving COVID-19 test unavailability. The significant predictions of perceived health condition and perceived COVID-19 test availability suggest a new direction for the literature to identify the psychiatric risk factors directly from health-related variables during a pandemic.

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The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Autistic Adults in the UK: A Mixed-Methods Study

10.31219/osf.io/9v5qh ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rebecca Bundy ◽

William Mandy ◽

Laura Crane ◽

Hannah Belcher ◽

Laura Bourne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Online Survey ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Health Impact ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Autistic People ◽

Autistic Adults ◽

The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with mental health declines in the general population. Those with pre-existing vulnerabilities are known to be at particular risk. This may include autistic people, who have high levels of mental and physical health problems. Yet little is currently known about the impact of the pandemic on autistic people. Using an online survey, this mixed-methods study gathered data from 133 autistic adults in the United Kingdom (UK), about their experiences of the pandemic in relation to their mental health. Results indicated that the mental health impact of the pandemic on autistic adults was variable. A sizeable minority reported improvements in their mental health associated with COVID-19 restrictions. By contrast, most participants described an overall negative impact their levels of depression, anxiety and stress. Analysis of qualitative data using thematic analysis highlighted four themes that contributed to mental health changes in autistic adults: (i) adjusting to changes to the social world, (ii) living with uncertainty, (iii) disruptions to self-regulation, and (iv) barriers to fulfilling basic needs. Based on these findings, we discuss recommendations about how to support autistic people; both as the pandemic persists and once normality ensues.

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Anxiety and Depression Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in Japan Rugby Top League Players

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18031205 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 1205

Author(s):

Yasutaka Ojio ◽

Asami Matsunaga ◽

Kensuke Hatakeyama ◽

Shin Kawamura ◽

Masanori Horiguchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Elite Athletes ◽

Japanese Version ◽

The United States ◽

Health Problems ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Epidemiological Surveys

Clinical and research interest is growing in mental health support for elite athletes, based on findings from epidemiological surveys conducted in Australia, the United States, and European countries. However, little is known about the mental health status of elite athletes in Asia, including Japan. In the current study, we examine the prevalence of mental health problems and suicidal ideation and its risk factors in Japan Rugby Top League players. We analyze anonymous web-based self-reported data from 251 currently competing Japan Rugby Top League male players. During the off-season from December 2019 to January 2020, data on anxiety and depression symptoms were collected using the Japanese version of the 6-item Kessler-6. Suicidal ideation was assessed using the Baron Depression Screener for Athletes. Among the players, 81 players (32.3%) had experienced symptoms of mild anxiety and depression during the previous 30 days, while 12 (4.8%) and 13 (5.2%) had suffered from moderate and severe symptoms, respectively. Nineteen athletes (7.6%) reported that they had experienced suicidal ideation during the previous 2 weeks. Players with mental health problems experienced more events in competitions and daily life, including reduced subjective performance, missing opportunities to play during the last season, changes in health condition, and thinking about a career after retirement, compared with players without such problems. Mental health issues in Japan Rugby Top League players, as elite athletes, may be common, and research and practice development is expected in the near future.

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Growing Job-Related Income Losses, Increasing Social Inequalities, and Physical and Mental Health Impact During the COVID-19 Pandemic, United States, April – December 2020

International Journal of Translational Medical Research and Public Health ◽

10.21106/ijtmrph.347 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 76-89

Author(s):

Gopal K Singh ◽

Hyunjung Lee ◽

Romuladus E. Azuine

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Social Inequalities ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Impact ◽

The United States ◽

Health Problems ◽

Poor Health ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Fair Poor

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to substantial socioeconomic disruptions and increases in mental health problems in the United States (US) and globally. Whether social inequalities in job losses and resultant physical and mental health problems have worsened over the course of the pandemic are not well studied. Using temporal, nationally representative data, this study examines racial/ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities in job-related income losses and their associated health impact among US adults aged 18-64 years during the pandemic. Methods: Using April, August, and December 2020 rounds of the US Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey (N = 56,788 for April; 83,244 for August; and 52,150 for December), social determinants of job-related income losses and associated impacts on self-assessed fair/poor health and depression were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Results: In December, more than 108 million or 55.5% of US adults reported that they or someone in their household experienced a loss of employment income since March 13, 2020. An additional 68 million or 34.6% of adults reported expecting this economic hardship in the next four weeks due to the pandemic. Blacks/African Americans, Hispanics, other/multiple-race groups, low-income, and low-education adults, and renters were significantly more likely to experience job-related income losses. Controlling for covariates, those reporting job-related income losses had 51% higher odds of experiencing fair/poor health and 106% higher odds of experiencing serious depression than those with no income losses in December 2020. The prevalence of fair/poor health varied from 11.6% for Asians with no job/income losses to 28.8% for Hispanics and 32.3% for Blacks with job/income losses. The prevalence of serious depression varied from 6.5% for Asians with no income losses to 21.6% for Non-Hispanic Whites and 21.8% for Blacks with job/income losses. Conclusion and Implications for Translation: Job-related income losses and prevalence of poor health, and serious depression increased markedly during the pandemic. More than half of all ethnic-minority and socially disadvantaged adults reported job-related income losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, with 20-45% of them experiencing poor health or serious depression. Copyright © 2021 Singh, et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in this journal, is properly cited.

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Investigating Mental Health of US College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/22817 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (9) ◽

pp. e22817 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Xiaomei Wang ◽

Sudeep Hegde ◽

Changwon Son ◽

Bruce Keller ◽

Alec Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

College Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

The United States ◽

Survey Study ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Suicidal Thoughts ◽

The Impact

Background Evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has generally increased levels of stress and depression among the public. However, the impact on college students in the United States has not been well-documented. Objective This paper surveys the mental health status and severity of depression and anxiety of college students in a large university system in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An online survey was conducted among undergraduate and graduate students recruited from Texas A&M University via email. The survey consisted of two standardized scales—the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the General Anxiety Disorder-7—for depression and anxiety, and additional multiple-choice and open-ended questions regarding stressors and coping mechanisms specific to COVID-19. Results Among the 2031 participants, 48.14% (n=960) showed a moderate-to-severe level of depression, 38.48% (n=775) showed a moderate-to-severe level of anxiety, and 18.04% (n=366) had suicidal thoughts. A majority of participants (n=1443, 71.26%) indicated that their stress/anxiety levels had increased during the pandemic. Less than half of the participants (n=882, 43.25%) indicated that they were able to cope adequately with the stress related to the current situation. Conclusions The proportion of respondents showing depression, anxiety, and/or suicidal thoughts is alarming. Respondents reported academic-, health-, and lifestyle-related concerns caused by the pandemic. Given the unexpected length and severity of the outbreak, these concerns need to be further understood and addressed.

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Stress, functioning, and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from an online convenience sample

10.31234/osf.io/jmctv ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alayna Park ◽

Clarissa V. Velez ◽

Kamini Kannan ◽

Bruce F. Chorpita

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Online Survey ◽

Behavioral Activation ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Impact ◽

The United States ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Managing Stress ◽

And Coping

This study explored how individuals living in the United States were experiencing and responding to stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020. Participants (N = 408; 60% non-Hispanic White) completed an online survey regarding traumatic stress, functional impairment, and use of and perceived helpfulness of various coping strategies. Results showed that 37% of participants endorsed clinically-elevated PTSD symptoms. Approximately half of participants reported changes in their daily functioning from before the pandemic to present, most notably in their number of social interactions, physical activity, and time spent working. To cope, participants reported engaging in safety planning and behavioral activation, which they also perceived to be helpful in managing stress. Avoidance coping strategies involving use of alcohol, tobacco products, or recreational substances were infrequently endorsed and perceived to be minimally helpful. These findings offer an initial, data-based glimpse into the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and shed light onto opportunities for promoting mental health and well-being during this unprecedented and multifaceted crisis.

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Canadian Adolescents’ Mental Health and Substance Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations with COVID-19 Stressors

10.31234/osf.io/kprd9 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Stephanie Craig ◽

Megan E. Ames ◽

Bianca C. Bondi ◽

Debra Pepler

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Family Stress ◽

Health Impact ◽

Health Problems ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Positive Coping ◽

At Home

Objective: There have been significant concerns regarding the mental health impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), due to isolation, anxiety around the pandemic, and increased conflict in the home. The purpose of this study was to examine the rates of mental health problems and substance use, and to assess which COVID-19 related stressors were predictors of mental health and substance use in a large Canadian sample of adolescents, with comparisons across genders. Method: Participants (N = 809, Mage = 15.67, SD = 1.37) identified as a girl (56.2%), boy (38.7%), or trans/non-binary individual (TNBI; 5.1%) and were recruited via social media to complete an online survey. Results: A high proportion of adolescents met clinical cut-offs for depression (51%), anxiety (39%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (45%). Other mental health problems ranged from 9%-20%. Adolescents were mainly concerned with the health of family members and vulnerable populations, as well as the increased family stress at home during COVID-19. Rates of substance use were higher than expected, with over 50% of youth engaging in some form of substance use in the past 90 days, and almost 20% engaging in substance use at least once a week. TNBI and girls reported higher rates of mental health problems compared to boys. Family stress due to confinement and violence at home predicted higher rates of mental health, but not substance use problems. Conclusions: Increased rates of mental health problems and substance use necessitate targeted supports that encourage positive coping amidst the additional stresses of COVID-19.

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706 Sleep and Mental Health in College Students Before and During the Initial COVID-19 Shutdown

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.704 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A275-A276

Author(s):

Michele Okun ◽

Allison Walden ◽

Leilani Feliciano

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Students ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Online Survey ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Sleep Onset ◽

Sleep Onset Latency ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

The U.S

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unparalleled impact on college students. Following the initial and abrupt shutdown of campuses in March 2020, several investigators assessed the immediate effects on University students. Early reports found that college students reported a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression, sedentary behavior, and sleep problems. Most were conducted outside the U.S. Data from U.S. college students are critical to identify which areas are should receive resources and interventions as the U.S. continues to experience exponential COVID cases along with continued remote learning, social restrictions and/or lockdowns. Methods Students enrolled in the Spring 2020 semester (18 years of age +) were invited to participate in an online survey (April – May 2020). A final sample of 491 completed the entire survey (length ~45 minutes) which asked about sleep quality, psychological stress, depression, and exercise.Paired t-tests were conducted to compare pre-COVID and during COVID data. Results There were significant differences in sleep onset latency (26.44 ± 23.53 min vs 32.06 ± 26.88 min; t = -3.81, P < .001), sleep duration (7.30 ± 1.45 hours vs 7.63 ± 2.07 hours; t = -2.23, p = 0.027) and overall sleep quality (6.29 ± 3.29 vs 7.44 ± 3.86; t = -7.26, p < .001), as well as depression scores (IDS no sleep questions) (5.61 ± 4.18 vs 17.59 ± 5.45; t = -54.9, P < .001). There was no difference in perceived stress (28.03 ±5.27 vs 28.39 ±5.53, t = -1.49, p = .138). Exercise (vigorous, moderate and walking) all decreased with regards to days and time spent, (all P’s < .001), whereas minutes sitting significantly increased (426.50 ± 239.88 vs 542.26 ± 249.63, p < .001). Conclusion These data empirically support the claim that the pandemic is having a significant negative impact on physical and mental health among college students. In the best of times, college students have irregular sleep patterns and significant depression, but these behaviors are worsened under government restrictions. These findings underscore the need to prioritize prevention and intervention of modifiable behaviors, especially if the pandemic extends into 2021. Support (if any):

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Prevalence and Related Factors of Depression, Anxiety, Acute Stress, and Insomnia Symptoms Among Medical Staffs Experiencing the Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Xinjiang, China

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.671400 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Yongzhi Zhao ◽

Junlong Guo ◽

Shuai Liu ◽

Muyeseer Aizezi ◽

Qiong Zeng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Health Impact ◽

Related Factors ◽

The Impact ◽

Second Wave ◽

Insomnia Symptoms

The prevalence and related factors of mental health impact among medical staffs who experienced the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in China is unknown. Therefore, this survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence and related factors of depressive, anxiety, acute stress, and insomnia symptoms in medical staffs in Kashi, Xinjiang, China during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among medical staffs working in First People's Hospital of Kashi, Xinjiang. The questionnaire collected demographic data and self-design questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Impact of Events Scale-6, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory-15, and the Trait Coping Style Questionnaire were used to measure psychological symptoms or characteristics. Binary logistic regression was carried out to examine the associations between socio-demographic factors and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. In total, data from 123 participants were finally included, among which the prevalence rate of depressive, anxiety, acute stress, and insomnia symptoms is 60.2, 49.6, 43.1, and 41.1%, respectively. The regression model revealed that minority ethnicity, being worried about infection, spending more time on following pandemic information, and neurotic personality were positively associated with the mental health symptoms, while extraversion personality, higher education level, and better social support were negatively associated. In our study, the prevalence of mental health impact was high among medical staffs in Kashi, China who experienced the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several factors were found to be associated with mental health conditions. These findings could help identify medical staffs at risk for mental health problems and be helpful for making precise mental health intervention policies during the resurgence. Our study may pave way for more research into Xinjiang during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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