scholarly journals Examining the Psychosocial and Academic Factors Predicting Depression and Anxiety Symptomology Across First-Year and Later-Year University Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Eckberg ◽  
Aileen M. Pidgeon ◽  
Heidi Magyar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
First Year ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
First Year University

University students across the world report higher levels of mental health problems compared to the general population. Past research has focused on investigating mental health problems among first-year university students. However, a paucity of existing research compares the prevalence of mental health problems in first-year university students to students in later year-levels. To address this gap, the current study compared the level of depression and anxiety symptomology experienced by university students (n = 198) from Australia and the United States, across first, second, third, and fourth-year levels. The results found no significant differences in the level of depression and anxiety symptomology between university students from these countries, and no significant differences in the level of depression symptoms across year-levels. However, university students in the secondyear level reported significantly higher levels of anxiety symptoms compared to first, third, and fourth-year levels. The current study assessed the role of stress appraisal, psychosocial, and coping factors as predictors of depression and anxiety symptoms across all year-levels of university students. Hierarchical multiple regressions indicated higher levels of perceived stress and lower levels of perceived social support from family significantly predicted higher levels of depression symptoms. Higher levels of perceived stress and academic avoidance coping, and lower levels of campus connectedness significantly predicted higher levels of anxiety symptoms. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Gender differences of depression and anxiety among social media users during the COVID-19 outbreak in China:a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengsu Hou ◽  
Fengying Bi ◽  
Rong Jiao ◽  
Dan Luo ◽  
Kangxing Song
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression

Abstract Background Studies have shown that the outbreak of infectious diseases would result in mental health problems. Females are in greater risk for psychological problems than males. The present study investigated gender differences of depression and anxiety and explored associated factors during the COVID-19 epidemic among Chinese social media users. Methods We recruited 3088 participants through social media cross China. Participants completed sociodemographic and the COVID-19 epidemic related questions, the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), and the 2-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-2), the Chinese version of the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. We applied Chi-square test and ANOVA for data description and linear regression analysis for exploring factors associated with depression and anxiety. Results Of 3063 participants eligible for analysis, the total prevalence of depression and anxiety was 14.14 and 13.25%. Females were experiencing more severe stress and anxiety symptoms, while males showed better resilience to stress. The severity of depression symptoms would decrease with the increase of age resilience, and it would increase if being unemployed, feeling less adapted, being more stressed. The severity of anxiety symptoms would decrease with higher education and better resilience, and it would increase if being female, spending over 60 min on COVID-19 related information, less adapted, and being more stressed. Conclusion The findings show the increased prevalence of depression and anxiety in Chinese population during the COVID-19 epidemic, and females are experiencing more severe anxiety symptoms than males. As social media is the current main resource of information related to COVID-19, interventions should be implemented to help users to limit the time they spend on social media and to get key information related to the epidemic from authoritative and authentic resource to avoid infodemic and prevent mental health problems.

scholarly journals Experiences and attitudes towards mental health problems in first year German university students

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Koschig ◽  
Ines Conrad ◽  
Steffi G. Riedel-Heller
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
First Year ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
University System ◽  
Category System ◽  
First Year University

Abstract Objectives The study should show how familiar German first year university students are with mental health issues and what their attitudes are regarding mental illness. Methods The study sample consisted of 293 first year German university students (20.37 years ± 1.88), most of them women (82.9%). The majority (77.6%) was studying a social type subject. An additive focus group consisted of four experts. The participants of the quantitative part were recruited at prevention workshops that were offered during the induction week at the beginning of the semester at 15 German universities. Experts of the focus group were recruited by telephone call. In addition to quantitative analysis, we realized a focus group with experts of our target group concerns and university system. For statistical analysis, we used statistic software programme “SPSS” 24 to conduct t-tests. We used content-analytical evaluation to build a category system. Results Every fourth participant reported having had a mental health problem. Male participants had a slightly greater desire for social distance (p=0.008; df=288) and slightly stronger stereotypes (p<0.001; df=289). Conclusions The present study shows that first year university students in Germany have substantial experience with mental health problems.

scholarly journals The effect of intolerance of uncertainty on anxiety and depression, and their symptom networks, during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack L Andrews ◽  
Meiwei Li ◽  
Savannah Minihan ◽  
Annabel Songco ◽  
Elaine Fox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Intolerance Of Uncertainty ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
First Year ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Over Time

Individuals vary in their ability to tolerate uncertainty. High intolerance of uncertainty is a known risk factor for mental health problems. In the current study we examined the degree to which intolerance of uncertainty predicted depression and anxiety symptoms and their interrelations across the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined these associations across three time points (May 2020 – April 2021) in an international sample of adults (N = 2087, Mean age = 41.13) from three countries (UK, USA, Australia) with varying degrees of COVID-19 risk. We found that individuals with high and moderate levels of intolerance of uncertainty reported reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms over time. However, symptom levels remained significantly elevated compared to individuals with low intolerance of uncertainty. Individuals with low intolerance of uncertainty had low and stable levels of depression and anxiety across the course of the study. Network analyses further revealed that the relationships between depression and anxiety symptoms became stronger over time among individuals with high intolerance of uncertainty and identified that feeling afraid showed the strongest association with intolerance of uncertainty. Our findings are consistent with previous work identifying intolerance of uncertainty as an important risk factor for mental health problems, especially in times marked by actual health, economic and social uncertainty. The results highlight the need to explore ways to foster resilience among individuals who struggle to tolerate uncertainty, as ongoing and future geopolitical, climate and health threats will likely lead to continued exposure to significant uncertainty.

scholarly journals The effects of cumulative stressful educational events on the mental health of doctoral students during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasilis Sideropoulos ◽  
Emily Midouhas ◽  
Dora Kokosi ◽  
Jana Brinkert ◽  
Keri Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Coping Skills ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety

High rates of psychological distress including anxiety and depression are common in the doctoral community. With the COVID-19 pandemic taking a toll on mental health it is necessary to explore the riskand protective factors for this population. Using data from the Covid-19: Global Study of Social Trust and Mental Health, the present study examined the relationship between COVID-19-related cumulativestressful educational experiences and doctoral students’mental health problems. Moreover, it assessed therole of attentional ability and coping skills in promoting good mental health.Mental health problems were assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire and the 7-itemGeneralized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire to measure depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively.We measured coping skills using a 14-item questionnaire and attentional ability using a 7-itemquestionnaire. The results of multiple linear regression analyses showed that cumulative stressful educational experiencewere related to increased depression symptoms but not anxiety symptoms in fully adjusted models.Additionally, coping skills and attentional ability were related to both depression and anxiety symptoms.Finally, no associations between mental health problems and demographic factors or other covariates werefound. The experience of multiple educational stressful events due to COVID-19 is a key risk factor for increasedmental illness in the doctoral community. This could be explained by the uncertainty that the COVID-19pandemic has caused to the students.

scholarly journals Mental Health Problems and Related Factors in Chinese University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang-Jiang Zhou ◽  
Meng Qi ◽  
Lei-Lei Wang ◽  
Xing-Jie Yang ◽  
Li-Gang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
University Students ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Chinese University

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a serious threat to global public health, including a wide range of metal health problems. Current research focuses mainly on mental health status and related factors among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Data from 11133 participants was obtained through an online survey of university students in mainland China. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), respectively.Results: In total, 37.0% of the subjects were experiencing depressive symptoms, 24.9% anxiety symptoms, 20.9% comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms, and 7.3% suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed an increased presence of mental health problems in female students, graduate students, and those with personal COVID-19 exposure. Living with family and awareness of COVID-19 were protective factors against depressive and anxiety symptoms. In addition, male, depressive and anxiety symptoms were risk factors for suicidal ideation. Living with family, graduate students, prevention and control measures and projections of COVID-19 trends were protective factors against suicidal ideation.Conclusions: The findings underlined that the mental health of university students should be monitored, and provided important information for healthcare planning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Mental Health Problems and Related Factors in Chinese University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang-Jiang Zhou ◽  
Meng Qi ◽  
Lei-Lei Wang ◽  
Xing-Jie Yang ◽  
Lan Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
University Students ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Chinese University

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a serious threat to global public health, including a wide range of metal health problems. Current research focuses mainly on mental health status and related factors among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Data from 11133 participants was obtained through an online survey of university students in mainland China. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), respectively.Results: In total, 37.0% of the subjects were experiencing depressive symptoms, 24.9% anxiety symptoms, 20.9% comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms, and 7.3% suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed an increased presence of mental health problems in female students, graduate students, and those with personal COVID-19 exposure. Living with family and awareness of COVID-19 were protective factors against depressive and anxiety symptoms. In addition, male, depressive and anxiety symptoms were risk factors for suicidal ideation. Living with family, graduate students, prevention and control measures and projections of COVID-19 trends were protective factors against suicidal ideation.Conclusions: The findings underlined that the mental health of university students should be monitored, and provided important information for healthcare planning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depression and anxiety symptoms in 17 teams of female football players including 10 German first league teams

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 471-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Junge ◽  
Birgit Prinz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Generalised Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression

BackgroundInformation on the prevalence of mental health problems of elite athletes is inconclusive, most probably due to methodological limitations, such as low response rates, heterogeneous samples.AimsTo evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of depression and anxiety symptoms in high-level female football players.MethodsFemale football players of 10 German first league (Bundesliga) and 7 lower league teams were asked to answer a questionnaire on players’ characteristics, the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale.ResultsA total of 290 players (184 first and 106 lower league players) took part in the study. The CES-D score indicated mild to moderate symptoms of depression in 48 (16.6%) and severe symptoms in 41 (14.1%) players. The GAD-7 score indicated an at least moderate generalised anxiety disorder in 24 (8.3%) players. The prevalence of depression symptoms and generalised anxiety disorders was similar to the female general population of similar age. However, significantly more second league players reported symptoms of depression than first league players, and thus the prevalence of depression symptoms in second league players was higher than in the general population. Only a third of the 45 (15.7%) players who stated that they currently wanted or needed psychotherapeutic support received it.ConclusionThe prevalence of depression and generalised anxiety symptoms in elite football players is influenced by personal and sport-specific variables. It is important to raise awareness of athletes’ mental health problems in coaches and team physicians, to reduce stigma and to provide low-threshold treatment.

scholarly journals Change in Physical Activity During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Lockdown in Norway: The Buffering Effect of Resilience on Mental Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick Anyan ◽  
Odin Hjemdal ◽  
Linda Ernstsen ◽  
Audun Havnen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems

Imposition of lockdown restrictions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was sudden and unprecedented and dramatically changed the life of many people, as they were confined to their homes with reduced movement and access to fitness training facilities. Studies have reported significant associations between physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and common mental health problems. This study investigated relations between participants’ reports of change in physical activity (PA; i.e., Reduced PA, Unchanged PA, or Increased PA) and levels of anxiety and depression symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Norway in the time period from March 12, 2020 to June 15, 2020. The relations between age and gender and levels of anxiety and depression symptoms as well as how different levels of resilience influenced the relation between changes in PA and levels of anxiety and depression symptoms were also investigated. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Participants (N = 1,314; females = 31%) were members of an endurance sports organization aged between 18 and 81 years (M = 49 years; SD = 11.50 years). Participants completed the Resilience Scale for Adults and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and reported their changes in PA after lockdown restrictions were implemented on March 12, 2020. Regression analysis, independent samples t-test, and two-way multivariate analysis of variance were conducted. Reduced PA was associated with a higher risk of anxiety and depression symptoms. Younger participants in Reduced PA and Unchanged PA subgroups scored significantly higher on levels of anxiety symptoms and significantly higher on depression symptoms in Unchanged PA subgroup. Females in Unchanged PA and Increased PA subgroups scored significantly higher on levels of anxiety symptoms, whereas no gender differences were found for depression symptoms. The main and interaction effects of change in PA and resilience were significantly associated with depression symptoms. For anxiety symptoms, only the main effect of resilience, but not PA, and the interaction effect were significant. Results further showed that resilience was an important factor that influenced the levels of change in PA. High levels of resilience were associated with lower anxiety and depression symptoms in Reduced, Unchanged, and Increased PA subgroups during the COVID-19 lockdown. Promoting PA while boosting resilience factors such as confidence in own ability and drawing on the social support of even reduced social networks or connections while under lockdown can protect against common mental health problems.

scholarly journals Positive Mental Imagery and Mental Health amongst University Students in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akhtar Bibi ◽  
Simon Edward Blackwell ◽  
Jürgen Margraf
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mental Imagery ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Cultural Pressures

Objective: Mental health problems amongst university students pose a major public health challenge, and is particularly the case in Pakistan. Alongside broader societal and cultural pressures, cognitive factors likely also play a role in the development of and resilience to mental health problems and may provide a feasible target for interventions. The current study built on previous research in primarily European samples investigating the relationship between one cognitive factor, positive future-oriented mental imagery, and mental health, and aimed to extending this to university students in Pakistan.Method: The study used a cross-sectional design, with a sample of university students in Pakistan (N = 1838) completing measures of mental imagery and mental health either on paper (N = 1430) or online (N = 408). Results: Higher vividness of positive future-oriented mental imagery was associated with lower levels of depression symptoms and higher levels of positive mental health. In the sample completing the measures on paper, these relationships remained statistically significant even when controlling for socio-demographic and mental health-related variables. Conclusion: The results provide a foundation for further investigating positive mental imagery as a potential mechanism of mental health and intervention target amongst university students in Pakistan.

Demographics Associated With Stress, Severe Mental Distress, and Anxiety Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: Nationwide Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruhiko Midorikawa ◽  
Hirokazu Tachikawa ◽  
Takaya Taguchi ◽  
Yuki Shiratori ◽  
Asumi Takahashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Web Based

BACKGROUND With the spread of COVID-19, the deterioration of public mental health has become a major global and social problem. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between the 3 mental health problems associated with COVID-19, that is, perceived stress, severe mental distress, and anxiety symptoms, and the various demographic factors, including occupation. METHODS A nationwide web-based questionnaire survey was conducted in Japan from August 4 to 31, 2020. In addition to sociodemographic data, the degrees of perceived stress, severe mental distress, and anxiety symptoms associated with COVID-19 were measured. After performing a descriptive statistical analysis, factors related to stress, severe mental distress, and anxiety symptoms were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 8203 respondents submitted survey responses, among whom 34.9% (2861/8203) felt intense stress associated with COVID-19, 17.1% (1403/8203) were depressed, and 13.5% (1110/8203) had severe anxiety symptoms. The logistic regression analysis showed that each of the 3 mental health problems were prevalent in females, nonbinary gender, people in their 50s, 60s and older, respondents who visited psychiatrists, and those currently in psychiatric care. Severe mental distress and anxiety symptoms were associated with the number of effective lifestyle coping strategies during the lockdown period. Severe mental distress was only prevalent in teenagers and respondents in their 20s, as students tended to develop stress and severe mental distress. With regard to occupation, working in nursing care and welfare, education and research, and medical and health sectors was associated with stress; however, working in these occupations was not associated with severe mental distress and anxiety symptoms. Unemployment was associated with severe mental distress and anxiety symptoms. All 3 mental health problems were prevalent in part-time workers and those working in entertainment and arts sectors. CONCLUSIONS Gender, age, occupation, history of psychiatric visits, and stress coping mechanisms were associated with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, but their associations with stress, severe mental distress, and anxiety symptoms differed. In addition, the actual state of mental health varied according to the respondents’ occupation. It is necessary to consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health not only at the individual level but also at the occupational level.

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