Abstract
University students were confronted with abrupt changes to their daily lives by the COVID-19 lock-down. We investigated Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7) and anxiety levels, and the association between perceived impact on well-being, studies, and daily lives and anxiety levels, adjusted for gender, age, social class and affiliation. Early in the lock-down all students of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (N = 12,429) were invited to a voluntary longitudinal health survey. Participation rate was 20% (n = 2437): 70% females, median age 25 yrs. (IQR 23–28). A total of 10% reported a deterioration of well-being compared to pre-Corona. LCA yielded three classes varying in perceived COVID-19 impact: 1 (low, n = 675), 2 (moderate, n = 1098), and 3 (strong, n = 656). Adjusted proportion of moderate to severe anxiety by class were 45% (95% CI: 28.0–62.0), 15.5% (95% CI: 13.1–17.9), and 5.1% (95% CI: 4.7–5.6), respectively. Multivariate regression analyses yielded an OR for moderate to severe anxiety of 3.88 (95% CI: 2.5–6.0, class 2) and 22.43 (95% CI: 14.5–34.6, class 3) compared to class-1. The investigated association implies that containment measures have a selective effect on anxiety in students. The diversity of students’ perception and associated anxiety should be monitored and considered in future response to pandemics.
Highlights
Public health measures implemented in reaction to COVID-19 had an enormous impact on daily lives of all citizens
Estimates that 60% of all students globally are affected by school closures [4], and numerous experts anticipate an adverse impact on mental health due to the pandemic and its containment measures [5,6,7,8,9]
Students who answered the question on health concerns regarding COVID-19 (N = 2080) voiced little concern for themselves, while major concern for relatives was frequent (some concern: parent (p) 53.1%, grandparents 49.6%; major concern: p 23.8%, gp 41.1%)
Summary
Public health measures implemented in reaction to COVID-19 had an enormous impact on daily lives of all citizens. University students are not considered a risk group for COVID-19; the threatening news can potentially cause stress, fear [2], concern for family members, and drastic changes in daily routines, social contacts, and finances [3]. Estimates that 60% of all students globally are affected by school closures [4], and numerous experts anticipate an adverse impact on mental health due to the pandemic and its containment measures [5,6,7,8,9]. Mental health problems and disorders are a serious public health issue in students with a fifth of. Public Health 2020, 17, 7433; doi:10.3390/ijerph17207433 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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