scholarly journals Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Swedish University Students Before and During Six Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cohort Study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Johansson ◽  
Pierre Côté ◽  
Sheilah Hogg-Johnson ◽  
Ann Rudman ◽  
Lena W. Holm ◽  
...  

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has a profound effect on societies and citizens worldwide, raising concerns about potential mental health impacts. We aimed to describe trajectories of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to before, and determine if trajectories were modified by pre-pandemic loneliness, poor sleep quality and mental health problems. We conducted a cohort study with 1836 Swedish university students entering before the onset of the pandemic, March 13, 2020, with follow-ups within three (FU1) and six months (FU2) of the outbreak. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to estimate mean differences in symptom levels over time-periods, and to estimate potential effect modifications. We found small differences in mean levels of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) over time. Compared to before the pandemic, depression increased by 0.25 points of 21 (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.45) at FU1 and decreased by -0.75/21 (95% CI: -0.97 to -0.53) at FU2. Anxiety decreased from baseline to FU1 by -0.09/21 (95% CI: -0.24 to 0.07) and by -0.77/21 (95% CI: -0.93 to -0.61) to FU2. Stress decreased from baseline to FU1 by -0.30/21 (95% CI: -0.52 to -0.09) and by -1.32/21 (95% CI: -1.55 to -1.09) to FU2. Students with pre-pandemic loneliness, poor sleep quality and pre-pandemic mental health problems did not show worse trajectories of mean mental health symptoms. In conclusion, symptom levels were relatively stable during the first three months of the pandemic, while there was a slight decrease during the summer months, probably due to seasonality effects.

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482110158
Author(s):  
Fred Johansson ◽  
Pierre Côté ◽  
Sheilah Hogg-Johnson ◽  
Ann Rudman ◽  
Lena w. Holm ◽  
...  

Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on societies and citizens worldwide, raising concerns about potential mental health impacts. We aimed to describe trajectories of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to before the outbreak, and to determine if trajectories were modified by pre-pandemic loneliness, poor sleep quality and mental health problems. Methods: We conducted a cohort study with 1836 Swedish university students entering the study before 13 March 2020, the onset of the pandemic, with follow-ups within three (FU1) and six months (FU2) of the outbreak. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to estimate mean differences in symptom levels over time-periods, and to estimate potential effect modifications. Results: We found small differences in mean levels of the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21) over time. Compared to before the pandemic, depression increased by 0.25 points of 21 (95% CI: 0.04 to −0.45) at FU1 and decreased by 0.75/21 (95% CI:−0.97 to −0.53) at FU2. Anxiety decreased from baseline to FU1 by 0.09/21 (95% CI: −0.24 to −0.07) and by 0.77/21 (95% CI: −0.93 to −0.61) to FU2. Stress decreased from baseline to FU1 by 0.30/21 (95% CI: −0.52 to −0.09) and by 1.32/21 (95% CI: −1.55 to −1.09) to FU2. Students with pre-pandemic loneliness, poor sleep quality or pre-pandemic mental health problems did not have worse trajectories of mean mental health symptoms. Conclusions: Symptom levels were relatively stable during the first three months of the pandemic, while there was a slight decrease during the summer months, probably due to seasonality effects.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Johansson ◽  
Pierre Côté ◽  
Sheilah Hogg-Johnson ◽  
Ann Rudman ◽  
Lena W. Holm ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on societies, economies, and daily life of citizens worldwide. This has raised important concerns about the mental health of different populations. We aimed to determine if symptom levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were different during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to before, with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale as main outcome. We also aimed to determine whether pre-pandemic loneliness, poor sleep quality and mental health problems were associated with worse trajectories of mental health. Methods. We conducted a cohort study with 1658 Swedish university students answering questionnaires before the pandemic and a 81 % response-rate to follow-ups during the pandemic. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to estimate mean levels of symptoms before and during the pandemic, and to estimate effect modification by levels of loneliness, sleep quality and pre-existing mental health problems. Results. We found small differences in symptoms. Mean depression increased by 0.23/21 (95% CI:0.03 to 0.43), mean anxiety decreased by -0.06/21 (95% CI: -0.21 to 0.09) and mean stress decreased by - 0.34/21 (95% CI: -0.56 to -0.12). Loneliness, poor sleep quality and pre-existing mental health problems minimally influenced trajectories. Conclusions. Contrary to widely held concerns, we found minimal changes in mental health among Swedish university students during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 148-155
Author(s):  
Niyatisheokand a ◽  
◽  
Nimmi A. Jose ◽  
Abhishek Kapoor ◽  
Priya Arora ◽  
...  

Introduction:Sleep is naturally recurring state of mind and body, characterized by altered consciousness, inhibition of nearly all voluntary muscles and reduced interactions with surroundings. Chronic disturbances can lead to poor sleep quality which may manifest as increased irritability, anxiety, tension, depression, confusion. The undergraduate years are a period of vulnerability when considering sleep problems and mental health may tend to worsen over time. Alcohol, tobacco, and stimulant beverages such as tea/ caffeine affect the quality of sleep. Students are more prone to adopt and practice maladaptive sleep hygiene such as irregular bedtime, academic pressure, internet addiction, electronic media exposure, alcohol consumption and smoking, which affects quality of sleep. Material and Methods:The study was a cross sectional, interview based, non-interventional studyconducted on the engineering students at SGT University, Budhera, Gurgaon, Haryana, India. Data was collected through questionnaires such as Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, The Epworth `Sleepiness Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, The general health questionnaire. Results:A total of 274 students were included in the study. The mean age was20.11 ± 1.30 years and there were more male (77.3%) students as compared to females (22.7%). Alcohol use was present in 43(11.7%) of students, cannabis intake was present in 11(4%), nicotine intake was reported by 39(14.2%) of students and only one student reported of taking opioid. DASS-A, DASS-S, DASS-D, GHQ-12, PSQI were positively correlated with each other when associations were studied individually. Conclusion:In our study,it was established that poor sleep quality in engineering students was significantly associated with poor mental and physical health.


2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402096602
Author(s):  
Héctor Badellino ◽  
María Emilia Gobbo ◽  
Eduardo Torres ◽  
María Emilia Aschieri

Background: On March 20 2020, the Argentine Ministry of Health enforced a mandatory quarantine throughout the country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims: The object of this study is to determine the initial impact on mental health of Argentine population, by measuring the prevalence of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and self-perceived stress and by determining the associated risk factors, and to analyze that impact in relation to the number of confirmed cases and deaths. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted through a digital questionnaire, which was completed by 1,985 respondents between March 29 and April 12. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia was measured with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale (GAD-7), the 9-Item Patients Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9); the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. Results: The 62.4% of the surveyed population reported signs of psychological distress. It was found that being a woman, being 18 to 27 years old, living with family members or a partner, smoking, and having a poor sleep quality were the significant risk factors. Conclusion: Despite the low number of COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths at that time, a strong impact on mental health indicators was revealed. The authors of this study recommend the monitoring of the population at risk over time and early interventions in order to avoid long-lasting mental health problems.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
S.K. Malakouti ◽  
M. Foroughan ◽  
M. Nojomi ◽  
M. Ghalebandi

Complaints of sleep disturbance increase with age and many studies have been reported on the relation of sleep problems with greater use of health services, physical and mental morbidity, functional decline and all cause mortality. This study aimed to examine the sleep patterns and sleep disturbances in Iranian older people and to see how their sleep quality relates to their health status. 400 men and women, 60 years or older, interviewed by trained psychiatrist regarding their physical and mental health status, then the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and General Health Questionnaire implemented on them. The gathered data analyzed by chi-square test, t-test, one-way analysis of variance and logistic regression. The results showed that the majority of participants (82.6%) suffered from poor sleep quality and approximately one third had sleepiness (29.2%) during daytime. Difficulty falling (p≤0.001) and maintaining (p≤0.01) sleep and feeling too hot at night sleep (p≤0.005) were significantly more prevalent in women, but men suffered more from leg twitching (p≤0.01). Being female (OR=2.52), and having GHQ scores more than 11 (OR=4.14) increased the risk of poor sleep quality considerably. Promoting sleep hygiene education and screening of mental health problems in primary health care services for older people are recommended.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eoin McElroy ◽  
Marc Tibber ◽  
Pasco Fearon ◽  
Praveetha Patalay ◽  
George Ploubidis

BackgroundStudies using symptom-based screeners have suggested that mental health problems have increased in adolescents in recent decades, however, few studies have explicitly tested the equivalence of their instruments, which is critical for inferring changes in prevalence. In addition, few studies have explored whether changes in socioeconomic position (SEP) and sex inequalities across generations have impacted trends in adolescent mental health. MethodsUsing structural equation modelling, we explore sex differences in harmonised parent-reports of emotional and behavioural problems, using data from four UK birth cohorts: the 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS’58; N= 11,398), the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS’70; N= 8,161), the 1991-92 Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC’91; N= 5,304), and the 2001 Millennium Cohort Study (MCS’01; N= 10,384). We also delineate associations between four harmonised indicators of childhood SEP and adolescent mental health, and test whether changes in SEP account for increases in mental ill-health over time. Results We found an increase in the latent means of parent-reported emotional and behavioural problems across time in both males and females in more recent cohorts, with the exception of ALSPAC’91. Sex-inequalities did not change over time, with females having consistently higher emotional problems. The associations between the four indicators of SEP and emotional problems were strongest in the MCS’01, with housing tenure having the strongest association. All four SEP indicators were associated with behavioural problems in all of the cohorts, with housing tenure again more strongly associated with problems in the MCS’01. Inconsistent mediation (i.e. regression suppression) suggested that the increases in mental health problems occurred despite broadly improving average socio-economic conditions. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that parent-reported adolescent mental health problems have risen in recent generations and that this trend is not due solely to reporting styles. A failure to address widening inequalities may result in further increases in mental ill-health amongst disadvantaged young people.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heba Saadeh ◽  
Maha Saadeh ◽  
Wesam Almobaideen ◽  
Assem Al Refaei ◽  
Nour Shewaikani ◽  
...  

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the effect of COVID-19 home quarantine and its lifestyle challenges on the sleep quality and mental health of a large sample of undergraduate University students in Jordan. It is the first study applied to the Jordanian population. The aim was to investigate how quarantine for several weeks changed the students' habits and affected their mental health.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random representative sample of 6,157 undergraduate students (mean age 19.79 ± 1.67 years, males 28.7%) from the University of Jordan through voluntarily filling an online questionnaire. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to assess sleep quality and depressive symptoms, respectively.Results: The PSQI mean score for the study participants was 8.1 ± 3.6. The sleep quality of three-quarters of the participants was negatively affected by the extended quarantine. Nearly half of the participants reported poor sleep quality. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among participants was 76% (males: 71.5% and females: 77.8%). Similarly, the prevalence of the depressive symptoms was 71% (34% for moderate and 37% for high depressive symptoms), with females showing higher prevalence than males. The overall mean CES-D score for the group with low depressive symptoms is 9.3, for the moderate group is 19.8, while it is 34.3 for the high depressive symptoms group. More than half of the students (62.5%) reported that the quarantine had a negative effect on their mental health. Finally, females, smokers, and students with decreased income levels during the extended quarantine were the common exposures that are significantly associated with a higher risk of developing sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms.Conclusions: Mass and extended quarantine succeeded in controlling the spread of the COVID-19 virus; however, it comes with a high cost of potential psychological impacts. Most of the students reported that they suffer from sleeping disorders and had a degree of depressive symptoms. Officials should provide psychological support and clear guidance to help the general public to reduce these potential effects and overcome the quarantine period with minimum negative impacts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengjia Zhao ◽  
Nani Ding ◽  
Xue Yang ◽  
Huihui Xu ◽  
Xinyi Lai ◽  
...  

Background and Aims: This three-wave longitudinal study investigated the effects of stressful life events on problematic smartphone use and the mediating roles of mental health problems (i.e., depressive symptoms, poor sleep quality, and suicidal ideation) in Chinese undergraduate students.Methods: A total of 197 undergraduate students completed the three-wave surveys. Their severity of stressful life events, mental health problems, and problematic smartphone use were assessed.Results: Regression analyses revealed that stressful life events at T1 was significantly associated with problematic smartphone use at T3. Mediation analyses showed that mental health problems (i.e., depressive symptoms, poor sleep quality, and suicidal ideation) at T2 fully mediated the association between stressful life events at T1 and problematic smartphone use at T3 (B = 0.042, 0.034, and 0.022, respectively).Conclusions: The present study revealed that stressful life events and mental health problems (i.e., depressive symptoms, poor sleep quality, and suicidal ideation) are predictors of problematic smartphone use in Chinese college students.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 809-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Chun Yeh ◽  
Mei-Feng Huang ◽  
Yu-Yu Wu ◽  
Huei-Fan Hu ◽  
Cheng-Fang Yen

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships of pain and pain-induced functional impairment with bullying involvement, as well as the relationships between pain and mental health problems among 474 children and adolescents with ADHD. Method: The levels of pain, pain-induced functional impairment, involvement in bullying, depression, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and sleep quality were assessed. Results: Both victims of verbal and relational bullying and victims of physical bullying were more likely to have pain and pain-induced functional impairment than nonvictims. The perpetrators of verbal and relational bullying were more likely to have pain than the nonperpetrators. Participants with pain and pain-induced functional impairment experienced more severe depression and anxiety and worse sleep quality than did those without pain or pain-induced functional impairment. Conclusion: Clinical and educational professionals should consider the possibility of involvement in bullying and comorbid depression, anxiety, and poor sleep quality among ADHD children and adolescents with pain problems.


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