Changes in mental health during three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic: a repeated cross-sectional study among polish university students

Abstract Background Research indicates that mental health worsened during the Coronavirus crisis, in particular among women and university students. However, few longitudinal studies have so far investigated the changes in mental health outcomes across three subsequent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to examine changes in mental health among university students. Methods A total of 1,961university students from Poland, at mean age 23.23 years (SD = 3.16, 57.47% of women) were included in this repeated cross-sectional study across three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic: W1 (n = 657), W2 (n = 654), and W3 (n = 650). They completed the online survey with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), General Self-Rated Health (GSRH), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), as well as sociodemographic variables. Results The prevalence of people at high risk of anxiety and perceived stress, poorer physical health, and low life satisfaction changed significantly across three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the two-way ANOVA showed that both the wave (W1<W2<W3) and gender (men<women) had a significant impact on the level of anxiety. Statistically significant changes in perceived stress were found between pandemic waves (W1>W2, W1>W3), and genders (men<women). Self-reported physical health significantly deteriorated in W3 compared to W1 and W2 (W1>W3, W2>W3), and was significantly worse in women than in men. The level of life satisfaction also decreased significantly in W3 (W1>W3, W2>W3), but did not differ between men and women. High GAD risk was presented two times more frequently among women and people who subjectively assessed their health as poor, three times more likely in participants dissatisfied with their lives, and seven times more probably in persons with high-stress levels. Conclusions The results of this study consistently indicate (using parametric and non-parametric statistical analysis) that there are significant differences in mental health problems across three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. It suggests that pandemic waves should be considered in future review studies and meta-analyses. Furthermore, these findings indicate a potential role for prevention and intervention programs aimed at alleviating life satisfaction and subjective assessment of health and improving coping skills to reduce stress and anxiety.

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Associations Between Family Communication, Perceived Stress and Resilience with Life Satisfaction Among UPM Pre-University Students

10.53350/pjmhs211561756 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 1756-1764

Author(s):

Manoochehr Taghi Pour ◽

Asmah Ismail ◽

Wan Marzuki Wan Jaafar ◽

Gholamreza Rajabi

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

University Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Family Communication ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: Alfred W. Adler (1870-1937), psychotherapist and founder of the school of individual psychology, believed that education, marriage, and job play important role in human development. Higher learning is a demanding and challenging period for students that can result in high rates of psychological distress affecting their life satisfaction. Aim: The research is to study the links between family communications, perceived stress and resilience with life satisfaction among pre-university students in UPM. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 310 (females 158 and 152 males) pre-university students from a public university in Malaysia. Four instruments were used in this research namely the Family Communication Scale (FCS, Olson et al., 2004), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS, Cohen et al., 1983) Resilience Scale (CD-RISC, Connor-Davidson, 2003) & The Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al. 1985). The data were analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regressions. Results: The finding of this study revealed that there are simple and multiple relationships between family communications, perceived stress and resilience with life satisfaction among pre-university students. Conclusion: The research may guide university counselors to view adolescents’ life satisfaction holistically and assist them in developing preventive and intervention plans for the university new enrolled students. Also, the results will provide students with some knowledge on their life satisfaction and its effects on their future accomplishments. Keyword: Family Communication; Perceived Stress; Resilience; Life Satisfaction; Pre-University Students

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Caffeine consumption, intoxication, and stress among female university students: a cross-sectional study

Middle East Current Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s43045-021-00109-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Deemah A. AlAteeq ◽

Razan Alotaibi ◽

Raneem Al Saqer ◽

Njoud Alharbi ◽

Maram Alotaibi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

High Stress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Caffeine Consumption ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Dsm 5 ◽

Stress Levels

Abstract Background University students use caffeine to cope with stress in spite of its adverse effects. The purpose of this study is to explore caffeine consumption among university students in Saudi Arabia, as well as its correlation with stress and caffeine intoxication. This cross-sectional study examined a convenience sample of 547 students at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU). A self-administrated questionnaire was used to assess caffeine consumption in milligrams per day, stress was assessed by the perceived stress scale (PSS), and caffeine intoxication was assessed using the DSM-5 criteria. Results The mean total caffeine consumption was 424.69 ± 385.31 mg/day. High levels of caffeine consumption were found among students of non-health colleges and students who were undiagnosed with psychiatric disorders (p values <0.040 and 0.027, respectively). A significant positive correlation was found between caffeine consumption and perceived stress (p<0.045). Only 13.26% of all participants fulfilled the DSM-5 criteria for caffeine use disorder. The majority of participants showed moderate and high stress levels (69.9% and 18.7%). Conclusion This study revealed high caffeine consumption and perceived stress levels among female undergraduate students with a significant positive association between them. The results emphasize the importance of educational campaigns about caffeine consumption and intoxication. They also encourage the development of stress management programs. Longitudinal studies need to be designed for evidence-based intervention.

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The prevalence rate and demographic correlates of perceived stress in Alberta during the COVID-19 pandemic: A one-week cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-30858/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wesley Vuong ◽

April Gusnowski ◽

Shireen Surood ◽

Reham Shalaby ◽

Marianne Hrabok ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Prevalence Rate ◽

High Stress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Housing Status ◽

Demographic Correlates ◽

The One

Abstract Background Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to have an unprecedented global effect on health and daily life, with many countries struggling to adapt to the adverse pandemic impact. While strict public health measures are necessary to slow the virus’ spread, these measures may adversely affect individual mental health and wellbeing. Texting-based programs offer organizations a feasible and cost-effective option to deliver mental health supports and to collect population-level data. This study reports on the prevalence rate and demographic correlates of perceived stress on the one-week data obtained from Text4Hope enrollees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that used the Perceived Stress Scale to determine the one-week prevalence for perceived stress in Alberta. Univariate and binomial logistic regression analysis were used to determine the demographic correlates (i.e., gender, age, ethnicity, educational attainment, employment status, relationship status, and housing status) of moderate/high perceived stress. Results One week after the program launch, 32,805 individuals were enrolled. 6,041 enrollees completed the baseline survey (18.4% response rate). 84.7% of respondents reported moderate/high stress. All demographic variables, except ethnicity, were significantly associated with moderate/high stress (p < 0.001). Females were 1.5 times more likely to report moderate/high stress (95% CI = 1.2–1.9) than males. Compared to respondents in the 26–40 years, 41–60 years, and > 60 years of age categories, those ≤ 25 years of age were 1.9 (95% CI = 1.1–3.4), 3.4 (95% CI = 1.9–6.3), and 5.3 (95% CI = 2.8–10.0) times more likely to report moderate/high stress, respectively. Unemployed individuals were 2.5 times more likely to report moderate/high stress (95% CI = 1.8–3.6) than employed individuals. Retirees were 1.6 times less likely to report moderate/high stress (95% CI = 1.1–2.2) than employed respondents. Respondents renting a home were 1.7 times more likely to report moderate/high stress (95% CI = 1.3–2.1) than home owners. Conclusion Prevalence rate for perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic is very high in Alberta, signaling detrimental pandemic impacts on mental health. Our demographic correlates of perceived stress align with research results from other jurisdictions. Trail registration: The study was approved by the University of Alberta Human Research Ethics Board (Pro00086163).

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Perceived Stress and Increased Food Consumption during the ‘Third Wave’ of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13072380 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 2380

Author(s):

Eduardo Sánchez-Sánchez ◽

Jara Díaz-Jimenez ◽

Ignacio Rosety ◽

Maria José M. Alférez ◽

Antonio Jesús Díaz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

High Stress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Third Wave ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stress Scale ◽

The Third ◽

Moderate Stress

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of people worldwide. An increase in perceived stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as increased food consumption. The aim of this study was to find the level of perceived stress and its relationship with increased food consumption during the “third wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. This was a cross-sectional study that employed anonline self-reported frequency of consumption questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale-10. A total of 637 subjects participated and 83.6% of respondents had moderate or high stress—more prevalent in the female and young respondents. Moreover, 36.1% of respondents reported that they had increased the frequency of consumption of some foods, mainly nuts, snacks, and jellybeans, along with coffee, tea, cocoa, and soft drinks. Eating between meals was more pronounced in those with high stress (65.1%) than in those with moderate stress (40.4%) and low stress (20.2%). Furthermore, the respondents with high stress reported greater weight gain. Thus, the results show that the level of perceived stress during the ‘third wave’ of this pandemic increased food consumption.

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Loneliness, self-esteem, and life satisfaction as predictors of Internet addiction: A cross-sectional study among Turkish university students

Scandinavian Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1111/sjop.12049 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 54 (4) ◽

pp. 313-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 117

Author(s):

Bahadir Bozoglan ◽

Veysel Demirer ◽

Ismail Sahin

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

University Students ◽

Internet Addiction ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Turkish University Students

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Review for "Mental health status of the general population, healthcare professionals, and university students during 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak in Jordan: A cross‐sectional study"

10.1002/brb3.1730/v1/review2 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Status ◽

General Population ◽

University Students ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Disease Outbreak ◽

Mental Health Status ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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Mental health of undergraduate distance learners: a cross-sectional study

Asian Association of Open Universities Journal ◽

10.1108/aaouj-08-2021-0097 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Gayani P. Gamage ◽

H.M.Chulani J. Herath

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Distance Learning ◽

Physical Health ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Distance Learners ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type

PurposeMental health is as important as physical health and new university entrants report high prevalence of depression. In open and distance learning (ODL), students must manage both work and studies. Those who are unable to effectively balance these aspects may experience negative outcomes such as dropping out, distress and physical health problems. Therefore, the study aims to investigate psychological distress amongst distance-learning undergraduate students to gather evidence for recommending necessary interventions.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was conducted using depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS-21). Participants were undergraduate students from the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL). The students' socio-demographic details, history of physical and mental illnesses were also recorded.FindingsAccording to scoring, 51% of the sample was categorised as “psychologically distressed” relating to the anxiety levels they reported whilst depression (35%) and stress remained (20%) at low levels. The three-factor structure of DASS-21 was also confirmed with reliability scores of 0.8 obtained for all three sub-scales.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations were low-response rate (less than 50%) and inability to provide causal explanations for psychological distress. Further research could address these.Practical implicationsThe current research identified anxiety as a psychologically distressing factor for ODL students with the use of a reliable screening tool. Therefore, exploring reasons and interventions to help reduce anxiety could be developed.Social implicationsMajority of distance learners are contributing to a country's economy whilst learning to improve their current socio-economic status. Therefore, addressing these negative impacts is important.Originality/valueThe study explored ODL students' psychological distress and highlighted the need to identify causes and development of support systems to enhance mental well-being.

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