scholarly journals Association of Covid-19 pandemic-related stress and depressive symptoms among international medical students

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Lu ◽  
Xiaobin Wang ◽  
Xuehang Wang ◽  
Xiaoxi Guo ◽  
Bochen Pan
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
International Students ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Negative Coping ◽  
Related Stress

Abstract Background The outbreak of Covid-19 had negative impacts on the mental stress and induced psychological distress among university students worldwide. This study proposed a moderated mediation model, and hypothesized that the Covid-19 pandemic-related stress was positively related to depressive symptoms among international medical students. Methods An online survey on stress and depressive symptoms of international students was conducted in a medical university. Questions on Covid-19 pandemic-related stress, Patient Health Quesionnaire-9, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire and the Perceived Social Support Scale were used as measurements, and model analyses were conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS macro for SPSS. Results It was found that 9.83%, 3.08% and 2.12% students had mild, moderate and severe depressive symptoms, respectively, and the positive association between Covid-19 pandemic-related stress and depressive symptoms was significant (β = 0.27, t = 6.87, P < 0.01). Negative coping was also significantly correlated to depressive symptoms (β = 0.26, t = 6.60, P < 0.01), and partially mediated the association between Covid-19 pandemic-related stress and depressive symptoms. Perceived social support had a negative association with depressive symptoms (β=-0.26, t=-6.25, P < 0.01), played a negative moderating role in the relationship between negative coping and depressive symptoms, and moderated the indirect effect of Covid-19 pandemic-related stress on depressive symptoms via negative coping. Conclusions Results of the study suggested that under the background of continuing pandemic, intervention or prevention of mental health problem is urgently needed for the international students, and depression may be alleviated through reducing negative coping and increasing perceived social support.

scholarly journals Depressive and anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-related factors among men and women in Nigeria

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256690
Author(s):  
Olakunle Ayokunmi Oginni ◽  
Ibidunni Olapeju Oloniniyi ◽  
Olanrewaju Ibigbami ◽  
Victor Ugo ◽  
Ayomipo Amiola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Middle Income

Despite the greater adverse economic impacts in low and middle-income (LAMI) compared to high-income countries, fewer studies have investigated the associations between COVID-19-related stressor and mental health in LAMI countries. The objectives of this study were to determine the associations between COVID-19-related stressors and anxiety and depressive symptoms while controlling for known risk and protective factors and to investigate any sex differences. An online survey was carried out to assess sociodemographic, psychosocial (previous mental health conditions, sexual orientation, intimate partner violence and perceived social support) and COVID-19-related variables. Hierarchical linear regression was carried out with anxiety and depressive symptoms as separate outcomes. Of the COVID-19-related factors, testing positive for COVID-19 infection, having COVID-19 symptoms, having other medical conditions, self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms, worry about infection, perception of the pandemic as a threat to income and isolation during the lockdown were significantly associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Of these, worry about infection, isolation during lockdown and disruption due to the pandemic retained independent associations with both outcomes. The variance in anxiety and depressive symptoms explained by COVID-19-related factors was larger in women (11.8%) compared to men (6.1% and 0.8% respectively). COVID-19-related stressors are associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms, with these effects being larger in men compared to women. Enhancing social support can be an affordable strategy to mitigate this risk but this needs to be investigated using appropriate designs.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Among International Medical Students in China During COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu-Lu Yuan ◽  
Lu Lu ◽  
Xue-Hang Wang ◽  
Xiao-Xi Guo ◽  
Hong Ren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Coping Style ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Place Of Residence ◽  
Negative Coping

Background: The rapid spread of Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) infection has been the most important public health crisis across the globe since the end of 2019. Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems among people during the pandemic, and many studies have reported anxiety and depressive symptoms in college students. However, information on the mental health status of international medical students during this critical period of time has been scarce, which hinders the efforts in making proper policy or strategies to help these students. The present study aims to explore the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in international medical students in China and to find out the factors that have potential predictive value for anxiety and depressive symptoms.Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out for international medical students during November 2020 at China Medical University in Shenyang, China. Five hundred and nineteen international students were interviewed with questionnaires containing demographic variables, Stressors in school, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) and Resilience Scale-14 (RS-14). Univariate logistic regression and stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted where appropriate to explore the predictive factors of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms.Results: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms in the sample population was 28.5% (148/519) and 31.6% (164/519), respectively. Stressors in school (β = 0.176, OR = 1.192, CI: 1.102–1.289), negative coping style (β = 0.639, OR = 1.894, CI: 1.287–2.788) and perceived stress (β = 0.230, OR = 1.258, CI: 1.184–1.337) were found to be the predictors of anxiety symptoms among the international medical students; while gender (β = −0.594, OR = 0.552, CI: 0.315–0.968), stay up late (β = 0.828, OR = 2.288, CI: 1.182–4.431), current place of residence (β = 1.082, OR = 2.951, CI: 1.256–6.931), stressors in the school (β = 0.303, OR = 1.354, CI: 1.266–1.496), negative coping style (β = 0.866, OR = 2.377, CI: 1.516–3.725), perceived stress (β = 0.233, OR = 1.262, CI: 1.180–1.351) were found to be predictors of depressive symptoms.Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms was moderate among international medical students in China. The communal predictors of anxiety and depressive symptoms were stressors in school, negative coping style and perceived stress; while demographic factors such as gender (male), stay up late at night and current place of residence were found associated with depressive symptoms. These results suggest that proper stress management and specific interventions are needed to help students maintain their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

scholarly journals Depressive and anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-related factors among men and women in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olakunle Ayokunmi Oginni ◽  
Ibidunni O Oloniniyi ◽  
Olanrewaju Ibigbami ◽  
Victor Ugo ◽  
Ayomipo Amiola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Middle Income

Despite the greater adverse economic impacts in low and middle-income (LAMI) compared to high-income countries, fewer studies have investigated the associations between COVID-19-related stressor and mental health in LAMI countries. The objectives of this study were to determine the associations between COVID-19-related stressors and anxiety and depressive symptoms while controlling for known risk and protective factors and to investigate any sex differences. An online survey was carried out to assess sociodemographic, psychosocial (previous mental health conditions, sexual orientation, intimate partner violence and perceived social support) and COVID-19-related variables. Hierarchical linear regression was carried out with anxiety and depressive symptoms as separate outcomes. Of the COVID-19-related factors, testing positive for COVID-19 infection, having COVID-19 symptoms, having other medical conditions, self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms, worry about infection, perception of the pandemic as a threat to income and isolation during the lockdown were significantly associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Of these, worry about infection, isolation during lockdown and disruption due to the pandemic retained independent associations with both outcomes. The variance in anxiety and depressive symptoms explained by COVID-19-related factors was larger in women (6.1% and respectively) compared to men (6.1% and respectively). COVID-19-related stressors are associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms, with these effects being larger in men compared to women. Enhancing social support can be an affordable strategy to mitigate this risk but this needs to be investigated using appropriate designs.

International Students’ Experience of Medical Training in an English-Speaking European Country

2020 ◽  
pp. 102831532097602
Author(s):  
Alice McGarvey ◽  
Deepak Karivelil ◽  
Elaine Byrne
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Multicultural Environment ◽  
The Impact

European medical schools are recruiting increasing numbers of international students. This study explores the impact of cultural backgrounds and language on the transition of international medical students to the clinical years of their training when they are predominantly based in hospitals and interacting with health professional staff and patients. A mixed-methods study was undertaken, incorporating 31 peer interviews and a focus group discussion and the development and conducting of an online survey ( n = 144; 50% response rate). We compared levels of social adjustment and integration between the students on a regional basis. Overall students adjusted well, but there were statistically significant regional differences in social adjustment and integration. The impact of communication difficulties from a language and cultural practice perspective was a dominant challenge highlighted, as was the differences in hospital culture and interprofessional communication norms. International medical students experience many challenges and benefits from studying in a multicultural environment. More nuanced demographic data need to be collected on admission to assist in potentially identifying those who may experience difficulties with academic and daily life transitions. In addition, all students in a multicultural environment would benefit from a program of acculturation for personal and career development.

scholarly journals Impact of Perceived Social Support on the Relationship between ADHD and Depressive Symptoms among First Year Medical Students: A Structural Equation Model Approach

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 401
Author(s):  
Nuntaporn Karawekpanyawong ◽  
Tinakon Wongpakaran ◽  
Nahathai Wongpakaran ◽  
Chiraphat Boonnag ◽  
Sirinut Siritikul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
First Year ◽  
Adhd Symptoms ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
First Year Medical Students ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with depression among college students, while perceived social support is also associated with depression, especially among young adults. This study aimed to examine to what extent perceived social support mediated the relationship between ADHD symptoms and depressive symptoms. Methods: In total, 124 first year medical students completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener (ASRS), the Patient Health questionnaire-9 and the revised Thai Multidimensional scale of perceived social support reflecting ADHD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and perceive social support, i.e., family members, friends and other significant people, respectively. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate the hypothesized mediation model. Results: ADHD symptoms exhibited a significant indirect effect on depressive symptoms via perceived social support. ADHD symptoms initially had a direct effect on depression; thereafter, it reduced to a non-significance effect after perceived social support was added. The total variance explained by this model was 35.2%. The mediation model with family support as a mediator showed the highest effect size. Conclusions: The study highlighted the importance of perceived social support, particularly family support, on depressive symptoms among young medical students experiencing ADHD symptoms. The model suggests promising relationships for further research on ADHD-related depression and potential treatment in the future.

scholarly journals Perceived Social Support and Mental Health After Suicide Loss

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Oexle ◽  
Lindsay Sheehan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Caucasian Women ◽  
Linear Regression Modeling

Abstract. Background: Despite great need, social support is limited after suicide loss, which could contribute to worse mental health outcomes including increased suicidality among suicide loss survivors. Aims: To examine the associations between perceived social support, grief difficulties, depressive symptoms, suicidality, and personal growth among 195 suicide loss survivors. Method: The associations between perceived social support, grief difficulties, depressive symptoms, suicidality, and personal growth were tested using linear regression modeling. Results: In controlled models, more perceived social support was significantly associated with decreased grief difficulties, depressive symptoms, and suicidality, as well as with increased personal growth. Limitations: Participants were mostly Caucasian women who participated in a cross-sectional online survey. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that programs to increase social support after suicide loss may be an important aspect of suicide postvention.

scholarly journals Personal and Family Resources Related to Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Women during Puerperium

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (14) ◽  
pp. 5230 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Feligreras-Alcalá ◽  
Antonio Frías-Osuna ◽  
Rafael del-Pino-Casado
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Family Resources ◽  
Perceived Burden

Introduction: This study investigated the relationship between personal and family resources (i.e., social support, family functioning, self-efficacy in care, sense of coherence and perceived burden of care) and depressive and anxiety symptoms in women during the puerperium, adjusting for stressors. Methods: This is a quantitative research design, carried out through a descriptive, cross-sectional correlation study. This study includes 212 women over the age of 19 who gave birth from March to September 2019 in Maternal and Child Hospital of Jaén (Spain). Women were selected during the immediate postpartum period. The variables analysed were postpartum depressive symptoms (Edinburgh scale), anxiety symptoms (STAI state anxiety questionnaire), perceived social support (Duke-UNC-11), family functioning (family APGAR), self-efficacy in care (Lawton), sense of coherence (SOC-13), perceived burden (Caregiver Strain Index) and stressful life events (Holmes and Rahe). The main analysis consisted of a multiple linear regression. Results: The regression model of depressive symptoms found a positive association with perceived burden (β = 0.230, p = 0.015) and negative associations with self-efficacy in care (β = −0.348, p < 0.001), social support (β = −0.161, p < 0.001) and sense of coherence (β = −0.081, p = 0.001). The regression model of anxiety symptoms obtained a positive association with perceived burden (β = 1.052, p < 0.001) and negative associations with self-efficacy in care (β = −0.329, p = 0.041), social support (β = −0.234, p = 0.001) and sense of coherence (β = −0.262, p < 0.001). Discussion: Firstly, depressive and anxiety symptoms in the puerperium period may be more prevalent than in other periods of a woman’s life. Secondly, perceived social support, self-efficacy in caring for the newborn and sense of coherence may be protective factors for depressive and anxiety symptoms in the puerperium period. Finally, perceived burden in caring for the newborn may be a risk factor for these symptoms.

scholarly journals International Students in the U.S.: Social and Psychological Adjustment

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Jackson ◽  
Sukanya Ray ◽  
Danica Bybell
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
International Students ◽  
Acculturative Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Sociocultural Adjustment

In this study, we examined the role of self-esteem, hope, optimism, coping, acculturative stress, and social support on international students’ depressive symptoms and sociocultural adjustment. Seventy international students completed a self-report online survey. The most notable finding was that the international students used adaptive and maladaptive coping techniques at similar rates. Greater use of coping techniques, higher acculturative stress and less social support were associated with more depressive symptoms and more difficulty with sociocultural adjustment. Lower self-esteem, less hope, and less optimism were associated with more depressive symptoms, but not sociocultural difficulty. Clinical implications and future directions are also discussed.

scholarly journals The Association Between Social Support, COVID-19 Exposure, and Medical Students' Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Yin ◽  
Xingjie Yang ◽  
Lan Gao ◽  
Suoyuan Zhang ◽  
Meng Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Virus Exposure

Background: The coronavirus disease−2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has halted in-person medical education worldwide. Limited studies have reported on the mental health status of medical students during this public health emergency. This study aimed to explore the association of personal virus exposure, regional epidemic condition, and social support with medical students' depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak in China.Methods: In February 2020, 5,982 medical students (60.0% females, Meanage = 21.7 years, Medianage = 22 years) completed an online survey consisting of demographics, personal virus exposure, the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the Social Support Rating Scale.Results: The prevalence rates of mild to severe depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were 35.2 and 22.8%, respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that students with low- or medium-level social support had a higher risk of experiencing depressive or anxiety symptoms than those with high-level social support. COVID-19 exposure was positively associated with mild to severe depressive or anxiety symptoms. Respondents living in provinces with 500–1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases had an increased risk of experiencing mild to severe depressive symptoms compared with those living in provinces with &lt;100 cases. Other related factors were gender and years of training.Conclusions: Some medical students suffered from a poor psychological status during the COVID-19 outbreak. Low social support was a stronger factor related to poor mental status compared with COVID-19 exposure or the provincial epidemic condition. Thus, we suggest that colleges or universities provide social support and mental health screening.

scholarly journals Professional Identity of Chinese Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingjie Yang ◽  
Lan Gao ◽  
Suoyuan Zhang ◽  
Libin Zhang ◽  
Ligang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Career Attitudes ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Chinese Medical Students

Abstract Background: Although professional identity is a strong predictor of career choice, only a few studies report on career attitudes of medical students during a public health emergency. This study investigates the changes in medical students’ professional identity and career attitude during the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluates their mental health and social support system under stress, and explores the relationship between their career attitude and other factors. Method: An online survey of 6226 Chinese medical students was conducted to collect information on demographics, professional identity, and career attitudes. The collected data were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the Social Support Rating Scale. Results: The results revealed that most participants had their professional identity strengthened, did not change their career attitude, and preferred to participate in the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic. Low social support, depressive symptoms, male gender, and senior year residency were factors that affected career attitude negatively. Conclusions: After the outbreak of the pandemic, it was necessary to carry out diversified professional identity research to support medical students, especially those with low social support and depressive symptoms.

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