scholarly journals War-related trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder prevalence among Syrian university students

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S43-S43
Author(s):  
Fatema Mohsen ◽  
Yousef Latifa ◽  
Bisher Sawaf

AimsPTSD is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in war-affected regions. Syria has endured 10 years of war and yet little is known about the impact of the conflict on the well-being of Syrians who remain. This study aimed to provide an estimated prevalence of PTSD among trauma-exposed university students in Deir-ez-Zor, Syria, a war-ridden region, that was under siege by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) for over 3 years. Moreover, we aimed to study the different types of trauma to which the students were exposed and studied the association between PTSD and multiple covariates including, socio-demographic characteristics, smoking habits, academic performance, and stress levels, and identify factors that influence the development of PTSD symptoms.MethodA descriptive cross-sectional study design was used on a sample of Al-Furat university students in Deir-ez-Zor. We collected data on socio-demographics, trauma exposure, and stress levels. PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 was used to carry out PTSD diagnosis and to determine the severity of the disorder.ResultA total of 833 Syrian students were recruited into the study, the mean was 22.4 ± 3.2 years. Of those, (22.2%) have been displaced 3 times, while (18.8%) were displaced over 5 times. (86.4%) reported experiencing at least one traumatic event, (33.8%) of the participants were exposed to one traumatic event, and (44.7%) experienced four or more traumatic events. PTSD prevalence was (28.2%), and the highest PTSD rates were found among students who were forced into sexual acts (46.3%), followed by those who witnessed childhood trauma or violence and those who witnessed violence as adults (42.6%). Sample distribution over stress levels was as follows: normal (39.5%), mild (16.0%), moderate (17.8%), severe (17.3%), and extremely severe (9.8%). A statistically significant association was found between PTSD prevalence and stress severity (p = 0.000). A significant association was found between PTSD and internal displacement (p = 0.032), academic year (p = 0.002), and social-economic status (p = 0.000). Binary logistic regression revealed that smokers (vs non-smokers, OR = 0.259, p = .034) and third-year students (vs fifth year, OR = 0.44, p = .019) were significantly associated with PTSD.ConclusionThe results presented in this research revealed a high prevalence of trauma exposure and PTSD among a sample of university students in Deir-ez-Zor. These findings call for immediate actions to help the affected population in restoring their mental health, so they can be prepared to face the challenges and demands of the post-conflict period.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Mayara Matos Fialho ◽  
Franca Spatafora ◽  
Lisa Kühne ◽  
Heide Busse ◽  
Stefanie M. Helmer ◽  
...  

Background: Results of previous studies examining the impact of the SARS-CoV-1 epidemic in 2003 on university students' mental well-being indicated severe mental health consequences. It is unclear how the current COVID-19 pandemic and the changes in study conditions due to federal regulations affected mental well-being in the German student population. We examined university students' perceptions of study conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and investigated associations between study conditions and depressive symptoms.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Germany in May 2020 at four universities (N = 5,021, 69% female, mean age: 24 years, SD: 5.1). Perceived study conditions, as well as sociodemographic information, were assessed with self-generated items and the CES-D 8 scale was used to determine depressive symptoms. Associations between perceived study conditions (academic stress and academic satisfaction), in general, and confidence to complete the semester, in particular, and depressive symptoms were analyzed using generalized linear regressions.Results: Fifty-four percent of survey participants felt that the university workload had significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic; 48% were worried that they would not be able to successfully complete the academic year; 47% agreed that the change in teaching methods caused significant stress. Regarding depressive symptoms, the mean score of the CES-D 8 scale was 9.25. Further, a positive association between perceived study conditions and depressive symptoms was found (p < 0.001), indicating that better study conditions were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Results of the generalized linear regression suggest that better student mental well-being was related to higher confidence in completing the semester.Conclusions: This study provides first insights into perceived study conditions and associations with depressive symptoms among students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Findings underline the need for universities to provide intervention strategies targeting students' mental well-being during the course of the pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail Bradley ◽  
Andrea Howard

The current study used device-logged screen time records to measure week-to-week within-person associations between stress and smartphone use in undergraduate students (N = 187, Mage = 20.1) during Fall 2020, focusing on differences across types of app used and whether accumulated screen use each week predicted end-of-week mood states. Participants uploaded weekly screenshots from their “Screen Time” settings display and completed surveys measuring stress, mood, and COVID-19 experiences. Results of multilevel models showed no week-to-week change in smartphone hours of use or device pickups. Higher stress levels were not concurrently associated with heavier smartphone use, either overall or by type of app. Heavier smartphone use in a given week did not predict end-of-week mood states, but students who tended to spend more time on their phones in general reported slightly worse moods—a between-person effect potentially reflecting deficits in well-being that are present in students’ offline lives as well. Our findings contribute to a growing scholarly consensus that time spent on smartphones tells us little about young people’s well-being.


Author(s):  
David Bolton

In the Introduction, the author describes the background to the book and his personal experiences of violence in Northern Ireland - as a social worker and health and social services manager in Enniskillen and Omagh. He addresses the impact of loss and trauma linked to conflict and the implications for mental health and well-being. The structure of the book is outlined and the author sets the rest of the book in the argument that the mental health of conflict affected communities should be an early and key consideration in peace talks, politics and post-conflict processes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
Miranda Yendrembam ◽  
Arundhati Devi Maibam ◽  
Sanjenbam Yaiphaba Meitei ◽  
Henry Konjengbam

Background - Perceived stress experiences differ amongst individuals due to psychological, physical and socio-economic factors and with the outbreak of COVID-19, the impact on mental health has been unavoidable. Another dimension of understanding stress is also put forth by Ayurveda, an ancient medicine system of India. Aim – Aims to find the association of bio-social parameters including prakriti body types with perceived stress levels amidst COVID -19 pandemic. Material and Methods – Data were collected from 390 individuals aged ranging from 18 – 45 years through an online survey. Prakriti were determined by prakriti assessment questionnaire. Stress level was assessed by using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS 10) and relevant statistical analysis were carried out. Results - Significant association (p < 0.05) is found in body mass index (BMI), prakriti body types, sex, and effects of COVID–19 on mental and physical well – being with perceived stress levels. Vata prakriti (19.71%), underweight individuals (12.65%), and females (11.44%) are significantly more prone to develop high stress. Salaried individuals are significantly less likely to be affected by moderate stress. VIF is less than 5 and Tolerance is greater than 0.2. And, Nagelkerke value is found to be 29.3%.  Conclusion – The study concludes that there is a significant association of biosocial parameters including prakriti body types with perceived stress levels amidst COVID–19 pandemic. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Erlis Manita ◽  
Marty Mawarpury ◽  
Maya Khairani ◽  
Kartika Sari

This study aimed to determine the correlation of stress and well-being with gratitude moderation in early adults in Aceh. The method of this research was carried out using a quantitative approach. This study involved 349 early adults (264 female, 85 male) with age range of 20-40 years (M = 22.20) selected through the nonprobability sampling method with incidental sampling techniques. Individual’s stress levels were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale, well-being was measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, and gratitude was measured using the Skala Bersyukur Indonesia. Data were analyzed using moderated regression analysis to test the research hypothesis. The results showed that stress had a significant negative relationship to well-being (β1 = -0.788; p < 0.05), then gratitude was able to moderate the relationship of stress and well-being (β3 = 3.257; p < 0.05). This study showed that there was a correlation between stress and well-being with gratitude moderation. It meant that grateful people focus on things that are grateful for every day, so that the impact on low stress levels and can improve individual well-being.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Sehar-un-Nisa Hassan ◽  
Fahad D. Algahtani ◽  
Mohammad Raafat Atteya ◽  
Ali A. Almishaal ◽  
Ahmed A. Ahmed ◽  
...  

Educational institutions in Saudi Arabia extended e-learning until the third semester of the academic calendar to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection and to achieve 70% inoculation for the Saudi population. This study assesses the impact of extended e-learning and other associated stressors on the emotional health of university students in Saudi Arabia. An online cross-sectional survey collected data between the months of January–March 2021. The emotional signs of stress were measured by using a subset of items from the COVID-19 Adolescent Symptom and Psychological Experience Questionnaire (CASPE). Data about demographic variables, educational characteristics and academic performance were also collected. A regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of emotional health. A total of 434 university students including females (63%) and males (37%) provided responses. One-third of students (33%) indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting changes including online distance studies greatly influenced their daily lives in a negative way. The regression analysis demonstrated that female students and students with average academic performance had increased vulnerability to experience emotional signs of stress (p < 0.05). The factors ‘Not going to university’ and ‘Not having a routine life’ were significant predictors of stress responses (p < 0.01) and (p < 0.001) respectively. E-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic made it possible for students to complete their studies as per academic calendar; simultaneously, it increased the vulnerability to experience stress, particularly for female students and students with average academic performance. These findings imply that academic advising and counseling services should be more readily available during digital studies to support at risk students.


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