Somatic Symptoms and Emotional Health during the COVID-19 Epidemic in Spanish University Students

Abstract Background Eating disorders (ED) and behavioural risk factors among students in higher education remain to be investigated. The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of ED and the behavioural factors associated with ED in university students in four European universities: Chisinau (Ch) in Republic of Moldava, Cluj-Napoca (CN) in Romania, Miskolc (Ms) in Hungary and Rouen (R) in France. Methods In the four countries, students in higher education completed an anonymous standardized self-questionnaire, from 2016 to 2018. The questionnaire collected age, gender (M, W), housing, curricula, smoking, cannabis consumption, alcohol abuse problems (ADOSPA test), and perceived stress (Cohen score). The Sick, Control, One stone, Fat, Food (SCOFF scale) screening test was used to identify student with ED. Results A total of 3076 students were included, 705 in Ch, 582 in CL, 534 in Ms and 1255 in R. The sex-ratio was M:F=0.31 Ch, 0.30 in CN, 0.44 in Ms and 0.66 in R. The mean age was 21.2 (SD = 3.98) in Ch, 21.2 (SD = 3.2) in CL, 23.8 (SD = 5.1) in Ms and 20.0 (SD = 3.4) in R. The global prevalence of ED was 23.8%. According to the gender, the prevalence of ED in the four universities was 14.7% in M and 38.3% in W in Ch, 21.8% in M and 24.7% in W in CN, 19.7% in M and 21.4% in W in Ms and 16.1% in M and 34.0% in W in R (p < 10-4). After logistic regression, significant positive relation between the positive SCOFF was observed with female gender, alcohol abuse problems and stress level. Conclusions ED prevalence patterns were quite similar in the four countries, with high prevalence of ED, even in men. Associated behavioural risk-factors were quite similar. It might be necessary in the future to screen students for potential ED upon entry to the university and also to inform student about the risk of ED and advise them to consult a healthcare professional. Key messages Our study highlights the high prevalence of eating disorders, with similar behaviours in university students in four countries. Because of the detrimental effects of ED on physical and emotional health, it seems mandatory to set up public health programs (health promotion, prevention).

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What mental health promotion do university students need?

Polish Journal of Applied Psychology ◽

10.1515/pjap-2015-0062 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 53-72 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ewa Sokołowska ◽

Lidia Zabłocka-Żytka ◽

Sylwia Kluczyńska ◽

Joanna Wojda-Kornacka

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Promotion ◽

Young People ◽

University Students ◽

Biopsychosocial Model ◽

Emotional Health ◽

Healthy Person ◽

Mental Health Promotion ◽

Open Questions

Abstract Our aim was to find out what university students expect of mental health promotion. 610 young people were asked a few open questions. 81% of respondents expressed an interest in mental health promotion activities. They associated promotional activities with physical, social and/or emotional health care. Basically, these positive expectations are in agreement with the biopsychosocial model of mental health formulated by the WHO (2005). No interest in the idea of promotion (11%) is caused by the erroneous assumption that mental health promotion is targeted at people with mental disorders; therefore, a mentally healthy person does not benefit from participating in such a programme.

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PERSONALITY CORRELATES OF HEALTH OUTCOMES IN SUDANESE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.2004.32.4.321 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 321-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Abdalla A.R.M. Hamid

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Personality Traits ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Somatic Symptoms ◽

Positive Association ◽

Vital Role ◽

Eysenck Personality Questionnaire ◽

Age Difference ◽

Psychological Disturbances ◽

Strong Positive Relationship

Individual differences play a salient and vital role in the person's responses to different stressors. Hence, various individuals are expected to differ in health outcome resulting from encountering stressful situations. This study aimed at identifying personality traits in Sudanese university students and investigating the nature of the relationship between these traits and psychological disturbances measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28-item version, Goldberg & Williams, 1988). The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R, 48 items, Eysenck, Eysenck,& Barrett, 1985) was used to assess personality traits. One hundred psychology students (mean age 23.7) participated in the study. The majority (80%) of the students were females. The results revealed a strong positive relationship between neuroticism (N) on one hand and somatic symptoms, anxiety and depression on the other hand. Extraversion (E) was negatively related to anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms and social dysfunction. No significant sex or age difference was found in psychological disturbances measured by the GHQ or in personality traits – apart from a positive association between E and age. Unlike studies carried out in other countries which showed females to be more anxious and more neurotic, the present study did not find sex differences in anxiety and neuroticism. When a cutoff point of 4 was used, 20% of the students were classified as psychiatric cases. This may indicate the widespread prevalence of psychological disorders amongst Sudanese university students.

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Relationship between Belief in Good Luck and General Health

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1999.85.3.971 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 85 (3) ◽

pp. 971-972 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Liza Day ◽

John Maltby ◽

Ann Macaskill

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

General Health ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Somatic Symptoms ◽

Good Luck ◽

Health Questionnaire ◽

Social Dysfunction ◽

Undergraduate University Students

62 undergraduate university students were administered the 12-item Belief in Good Luck Scale of Darke and Freedman and the General Health Questionnaire of Goldberg and Williams. Scores on belief in good luck showed a significant correlation of −.29 with anxiety and −.35 with depression but correlations were not significant for somatic symptoms (.15) and social dysfunction (.15).

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Determination of anxiety levels of Turkish University students and affecting factors in COVID-19 pandemic: sample of a private university

ABCS Health Sciences ◽

10.7322/abcshs.2020191.2003 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ayla Tisinli ◽

Şeyda Saydamlı ◽

Cüneyt Ulutin ◽

Kübra Ersoy ◽

Zeliha Kalın

Keyword(s):

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Online Education ◽

University Students ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Somatic Symptoms ◽

Private University ◽

Psychological Services ◽

Generalised Anxiety Disorder ◽

Turkish University Students ◽

Anxiety Levels

Introduction: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its consequences have created anxiety in various segments of society. In particular, the transition to online education brought by this process has made the education process of university students difficult. Therefore, in the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to examine the anxiety levels of university students and their relationship with somatic symptoms. Objective: To examine the level of generalised anxiety disorder and to reveal the relationship between somatic symptoms and the generalised anxiety disorder level of Turkish university students. Methods: Empirical research. Participants in the research constituted a total of 605 students studying at a private university in İstanbul. The Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used to collect data. Data were analysed using the chi-square test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: It was found that, among the participants, 193 (31.90%) of the students had mild anxiety, 149 (24.63%) had moderate anxiety and 121 (20.00%) had severe anxiety. The study revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between the number of somatic symptoms and generalised anxiety disorder scores of university students. Conclusion: Most of the university students are affected by anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic and this effect is correlated with the frequency of somatic symptoms. In this context, it would be beneficial for universities to plan for acute and long-term psychological services and to cooperate with the government to provide timely crisis-oriented psychological services.

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The Impact of Extended E-Learning on Emotional Well-Being of Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

Children ◽

10.3390/children9010013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 13

Author(s):

Sehar-un-Nisa Hassan ◽

Fahad D. Algahtani ◽

Mohammad Raafat Atteya ◽

Ali A. Almishaal ◽

Ahmed A. Ahmed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Academic Performance ◽

University Students ◽

Emotional Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Female Students ◽

Academic Calendar ◽

E Learning ◽

The Impact

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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Efficacy of a guided internet-based intervention (iSOMA) for somatic symptoms and related distress in university students: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024929 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. e024929 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Severin Hennemann ◽

Katja Böhme ◽

Harald Baumeister ◽

Eileen Bendig ◽

Maria Kleinstäuber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

University Students ◽

Somatic Symptom ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Somatic Symptoms ◽

Symptom Burden ◽

Control Group ◽

Age Cohorts ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Internet Based Intervention

IntroductionPersistent and distressing somatic symptoms are common in younger age cohorts such as university students. However, the majority does not receive adequate psychosocial care. Internet-based and mobile-based interventions may represent low threshold and effective extensions to reduce somatic and associated mental symptom severity. The planned study aims to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of an internet-based intervention in reducing somatic and psychological symptoms in an international population of university students with somatic symptom burden.Methods and analysisThis parallel two-armed randomised controlled trial evaluates an 8-week guided intervention, including web-based consecutive modules based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) principles against a waitlist control group. Guidance will be provided by trained psychologists with weekly written supportive feedback. As part of the ‘Studicare’ project, the present study aims to recruit n=154 university students indicating somatic symptom burden at baseline in German-speaking universities. Self-report assessments will take place at baseline and after intervention completion (8, 16 weeks after randomisation). The primary outcome will be the severity of somatic symptoms and associated mental distress. Secondary outcomes include depression, (health) anxiety, disability, intervention satisfaction and adherence.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been granted. Results from this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.Trial registration numberDRKS00014375; Pre-results.

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Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Somatic Symptoms, Somato-Sensory Amplification, Self-Absorption, and Experiential Avoidance of University Students with Somatic Symptoms

Korean Journal of Stress Research ◽

10.17547/kjsr.2015.23.3.127 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 127-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mina Hong ◽

ChongNak Son

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽

Experiential Avoidance ◽

Somatic Symptoms ◽

Commitment Therapy ◽

Acceptance And Commitment

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Sexuality and Quality of Life in Postmodernism in University of Mexico

Global Research in Higher Education ◽

10.22158/grhe.v1n2p118 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 118

Author(s):

Julio Cufarfan Lopez ◽

Jesus Alberto Garcia Garcia ◽

Gabriela Moran Delgado

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Young People ◽

University Students ◽

Emotional Health ◽

The State ◽

Sexually Active ◽

Quality Life ◽

Unplanned Pregnancies

This study analyzes the responses of a group of young University students from the state of Coahuila, México, in relation to variables on Quality of Life. Their responses are analyzed in two groups: sexually active young people, and those who do not. It seeks to find a different lifestyle in relation to Sexuality. They are young people aged between 17 and 25 years old. Although Sexuality is not mentioned as a part of quality life, it is certainly part of the physical, psychological and emotional health of people. Sexuality in Mexico is stigmatized, and deeply rooted in morality; that is why unplanned pregnancies are increasing and at an earlier age. Several authors refer changes in lifestyles between modernity and Postmodernity (Lechner, Lyotard, Lipovetsky, Lanceros, etc.) have been little explored in relation to the Quality of Life and the indicators that measure it. The results allow to affirm that studied youth perceive themselves in two different models of lifestyle: the sexual active with a tendency to postmodern styles, while the non-active, to modern lifestyles.

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The influence of university students' stress mindsets on health and performance outcomes

10.31234/osf.io/skpbw ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Jacob J Keech ◽

Martin S Hagger ◽

Frances O'Callaghan ◽

Kyra Hamilton

Keyword(s):

Academic Performance ◽

University Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Somatic Symptoms ◽

Performance Outcomes ◽

Psychological Wellbeing ◽

Adaptive Responses ◽

Coping Behaviors ◽

Physical Wellbeing ◽

And Performance

Background: Emerging evidence indicates that holding particular stress mindsets have favorable implications for peoples’ health and performance under stress. Purpose: The aim of the current study was to examine the processes by which implicit and explicit stress mindsets relate to health- and performance-related outcomes. Specifically, we propose a stress beliefs model in which somatic responses to stress and coping behaviors mediate the effect of stress mindsets on outcomes. Methods: Undergraduate university students (N = 218, n = 144 female) aged 17 to 25 years completed measures of stress mindset, physical and psychological wellbeing, perceived stress, somatic responses to stress, proactive behaviors under stress, and an implicit association test assessing an implicit stress mindset. At the end of the semester, students’ academic performance was collected from university records. Results: Path analysis indicated significant indirect effects of stress mindset on psychological wellbeing and perceived stress through proactive coping behaviors and somatic symptoms. Stress mindset directly predicted perceived stress and physical wellbeing, and physical wellbeing and academic performance were predicted by stress mindset through perceived somatic symptoms. Implicit stress mindset did not predict proactive behavior as anticipated. Conclusions: Current findings indicate that behaviors with the goal of proactively meeting demands under stress and perceived somatic symptoms are important mediators of the effect of stress mindset on health- and performance-related outcomes. The findings from this study provide formative data which can inform the development of future interventions aiming to encourage more adaptive responses to stress.

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