Abstract
Background: This study investigated the correlation between depression, anxiety, and stress among college students engaged in online learning during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and self-directed learning (SDL) ability, which could provide a scientific basis for mental health education of the college students.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 5,558 students from two universities in Anhui province, East China. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Self-directed Learning Ability Scale were used to conduct an online questionnaire survey.Results: A total of 35.15, 36.32, and 17.24% of college students reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Males and nonmedical students were at higher risks to suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress. In adjusted model, compared with Q1 of self-management ability, the odds ratio (OR) of the Q2, Q3, and Q4 were as follows: 0.635 (0.531–0.759), 0.504 (0.415–0.611), and 0.312 (0.248–0.392) for depression; 0.639 (0.535–0.764), 0.653 (0.540–0.789), and 0.421 (0.338–0.525) for anxiety; and 0.649 (0.523–0.805), 0.579 (0.457–0.733), and 0.482 (0.364–0.637) for stress. For information capability, decrease in risk was even more pronounced: Q2 (0.654, 0.540–0.794), Q3 (0.560, 0.454–0.690), and Q4 (0.233, 0.181–0.301) for depression; Q2 (0.781, 0.646–0.945), Q3 (0.616, 0.501–0.757), and Q4 (0.276, 0.216–0.353) for anxiety; and Q2 (0.444, 0.357–0.553), Q3 (0.454, 0.357–0.578), and Q4 (0.272, 0.202–0.368) for stress. Compared with the Q2 group of cooperation learning ability, cooperation learning ability quartiles were positively associated with depression (Q1: 1.382, 95% CI: 1.138–1.678), anxiety (Q4: 1.260, 95% CI: 1.008–1.576), and stress (Q1: 2.002, 95% CI: 1.583–2.532; Q3: 1.600, 95% CI: 1.252–2.044; Q4: 1.674, 95% CI: 1.243–2.255).Conclusion: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among college students was high for those studying online at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among nonmedical students and males. SDL ability was negatively associated with negative emotions of the college students during this period of online learning.
Highlights
In December 2019, a new type of coronavirus pneumonia [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] appeared and spread nationwide, attracting widespread attention from the international community (Hui et al, 2020)
A total of 5,558 college students were enrolled in this study including 4,115 medical students and 1,443 nonmedical students
In model 3, compared with the Q2 (P25 to P50) group of cooperation learning ability, cooperation learning ability quartiles were positively associated with depression (Q1: 1.382, 95% CI: 1.138–1.678), anxiety (Q4: 1.260, 95% CI: 1.008–1.576), and stress (Q1: 2.002, 95% CI: 1.583–2.532; Q3: 1.600, 95% CI: 1.252–2.044; Q4: 1.674, 95% CI: 1.243–2.255) (Table 5)
Summary
In December 2019, a new type of coronavirus pneumonia [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] appeared and spread nationwide, attracting widespread attention from the international community (Hui et al, 2020). In order to ensure public health safety during the growing epidemic turned pandemic and timely address the issue of students unable to engage in in-person learning, the Ministry of Education required universities to postpone the start of school in the spring of 2020 (Yu et al, 2021). In a statement, it ordered “class suspension and no stop learning” (Sun and Su, 2020). This sudden change in learning style significantly impacted college students used to classroom learning (Yu et al, 2021). This study investigated the correlation between depression, anxiety, and stress among college students engaged in online learning during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and self-directed learning (SDL) ability, which could provide a scientific basis for mental health education of the college students
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
