Stress Symptom Severity Research Articles

Psychological impacts during the COVID-19 outbreak among adult population in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

In response to the initial outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the pandemic-related restraints and preventive measures implemented, the global population has been experiencing a wide range of immediate psychological reactions, such as fear and psychological distress. The present study aimed to assess the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of adults during the national lockdown implemented in Jordan. A quantitative, descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design was used. An anonymous online questionnaire was used to collect data on the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, the changes in daily life they had experienced, their fear of COVID-19, and their depression, anxiety, and stress levels. A total of 725 Jordanian adults aged 18–65 years (mean = 33.7, SD = 9.3) were included in this study, with most of the participants being female (n = 409, 56.4%). The majority of the participants reported changes in their daily routines and activities during the COVID-19 lockdown, with 62.8% of the participants reporting weight changes, 92% reporting increased social media use, and 86.5% reporting increased mobile phone use and checking. Further, 41.4% of the participants reported high levels of fear of COVID-19, while 41.8%, 24.5%, and 22.8% reported mild to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, respectively. Female participants had significantly higher levels of fear of COVID-19 and stress than did males. Fear of COVID-19 was significantly positively correlated with depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Anxiety, stress, gender, having physical disorders, and having mental disorders were identified as being significant predictive factors of fear of COVID-19. The findings of this study highlight the urgent need to pay further attention towards maintaining the psychological well-being of the public during this global crisis. The findings may guide the development of appropriate public health strategies aimed at promoting healthy living, improving mental health, and reducing fear and other psychological problems among at-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the findings may guide further qualitative, longitudinal, and experimental studies both during and after the lockdown.

The Pandemic Is Not Occurring in a Vacuum: The Impact of COVID-19 and Other Disasters on Workforce Mental Health in Australia.

Prior to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many Australians experienced extreme bushfires, droughts, and floods. A history of experiencing these events might be a risk factor for increased psychological distress during COVID-19. This study aimed to provide insight into the mental health of Australian workers during the initial COVID-19 outbreak, with an additional focus on whether previous disaster exposure and impact from that disaster is a risk factor for increased psychological distress. A snowball recruitment strategy was used. Participants (n = 596) completed an online survey, which included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, and questions related to mental health and disaster exposure. Overall, 19.2%, 13.4%, and 16.8% of participants were experiencing moderate to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, respectively. Multiple regression found that higher depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were associated with a pre-existing mental health diagnosis; only higher stress symptoms were associated with having experienced a disaster, with impact, in addition to COVID-19. People who have experienced impact from an additional disaster might need additional support to protect their mental health during COVID-19. A focus on the cumulative mental health impacts of multiple disasters and the implications for organizational communities where recovery work is undertaken, such as schools and workplaces, is needed.

Psychological Responses of the Patients in Cabin Hospital to the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Comparative Epidemiologic Analysis.

The building of cabin hospitals in Wuhan has been proven to be clinically successful in curing mild-symptom COVID-19 patients shortly after the outbreak of COVID-19 in late 2019. At the same time, the psychological effect of patients being treated in cabin hospitals and the features of the psychological status of the whole society remained ambiguous. This study adopted a self-administrated questionnaire to investigate the stress, depression, and anxiety status of patients in cabin hospitals (n = 212) and healthy participants outside of Hubei province (n = 221) in a population level from February 29 to March 01, 2020. The research measured participants’ stress response, depression level, and anxiety level as well as their social support system and their resilience level. Results indicated that in this sudden outbreak of an unknown pandemic, all people (whether or not infected) showed a generally high level of stress, depression, and anxiety, regardless of age, gender, education level, and employment. It also showed that people with a lower level of psychological resilience and social support reported more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Moreover, the research also found a positive effect of cabin hospitals on the psychological recovery of COVID-19 patients. Stress response of patients increased after entering into cabin hospitals, while after 3–4 weeks’ treatment, patients showed a decrease in their depression and anxiety levels. This research advances the understanding of COVID-19 and gives suggestions to optimize the design and the allocation of resources in cabin hospitals and better deal with the unknown pandemics in the future.

Implementation of a Trauma-Informed Suicide Prevention Intervention for Youth Presenting to the Emergency Department in Crisis

ABSTRACT Given the increasing number of children presenting to the emergency department (ED) in psychiatric crisis, our tertiary children’s hospital ED adopted SAFETY-Acute/Family Intervention for Suicide Prevention (SAFETY-A), an evidence-based practice for suicide prevention. Because of the relationship between trauma and suicide among youth, this study piloted the feasibility of combining SAFETY-A and a standardized approach to the detection and response to trauma in youth, the Care Process Model for Pediatric Traumatic Stress (CPM-PTS) within a busy ED setting. Over a three-month period, 30 youth with low to moderate risk for suicide received SAFETY-A+CPM in the ED. 62% of respondents reported trauma exposure, with the majority endorsing moderate or severe traumatic stress symptoms. Twenty-nine of the 30 youth were able to be safely discharged home with follow-up care. Fifteen youth were provided referrals/linkages with new providers, 5 of which were to trauma-focused assessment and treatment as indicated by the CPM-PTS. Overall, crisis workers found that offering SAFETY-A +CPM was “more rewarding” than traditional crisis evaluations and that using trauma-specific data identified with the CPM-PTS was quite helpful. Post-intervention surveys with parents indicated a favorable experience, comfort with maintaining safety, and overall satisfaction with the ED intervention. Clinical and system barriers identified over the course of the pilot are critical to address for sustained delivery. Overall, SAFETY-A was able to be delivered to fidelity and blended with the CPM-PTS.

A Call for Person-Centered and City-Centered Student Supports

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is devastating the well-being of college students and society. This article examines the need for attention to collegiate mental health during public health emergencies, with a particular focus on college students in urban settings. The article begins with a brief description of the unique challenges faced by cities during pandemics and continues with a historical overview of pandemics. College students attending three public colleges (n = 719) were surveyed regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their psychological health. Preliminary findings reveal a prevalence of students (44.9%) reporting moderate or severe traumatic stress symptoms in response to COVID-19 stressors. A definition of what we define as “astonishing” is the high trending prevalence of college students reporting that they know someone who died due to COVID-19 (70.6%). The article concludes with recommendations for future research and offers person-centered approaches for social workers and leadership in higher education.

Impact of online education on fear of academic delay and psychological distress among university students following one year of COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh

ObjectivesExtreme fear of academic delay (FAD) and psychological distress among students have arisen as great public health concerns worldwide due to the devastating actions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The precise aim of this study was to assess the impact of ongoing online education on current university students’ FAD and psychological stress symptoms following one year of calamitous COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh. MethodsA cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted from March 15 to 30, 2021, for data collection through a snowball simple sampling technique among Bangladeshi University students, where a total of 1,299 respondents (age: ≥ 18 years) responded in the questionnaire. After obtaining informed consent from the participants, we evaluated the association of various sociodemographic factors and the effects of current e-Learning activities on FAD and subsequent psychological distress among university students in Bangladesh. After excluding the partial responses (n = 177), we analyzed the clean data sheet (n = 1,122) by three consecutive statistical methods: univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. ResultsAlarmingly, near 60% of the current students exerted extreme FAD and were suffering from severe stress. Besides, 78.1% of students having severe FAD were severely psychologically stressed. Logistic regression analyses revealed that the students of the female gender, rural area, lower-income families, and who suffered from the highest FAD were more significantly (p < 0.05) stressed than their reference groups. ConclusionThe current analysis demonstrates that most Bangladeshi university students are battling with the unrivaled trend of FAD and facing severe psychological stress symptoms, which must be alleviated by the concerted efforts of the Government, Universities, and educationalists.

The Staff Mental Health Service in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough: a new model for assessment and treatment of healthcare workers in the context of COVID-19 pandemic

AimsStaff mental health is a major determinant of a well-functioning health system that has become ever more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Poor mental health is the most common reason for NHS staff sickness absences, usually accounting for 25% of all reported sick leave. At a time when the NHS most needs an available and efficient workforce, government and NHS employers lack the necessary evidence to inform decisions about how best to support the mental health needs of its staff. In this report, we share our experience and the initial figures from a newly developed multidisciplinary assessment and treatment service for NHS staff.MethodThe Staff Mental Health Service (SMHS) at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) launched in September 2020. The SMHS is commissioned by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough sustainability and transformation partnership and is accessible to the 25,513 staff based at five NHS trusts within the region. The service received 235 referrals within 5 months of the launch. All patients had a first clinical contact within three working days and more than 80% had their initial assessment within two weeks. The SMHS clinical team is comprised of consultant psychiatrists, senior clinical psychologists, specialist mental health nurses, and an occupational health nurse set to provide rapid access, confidential, evidence-based treatments for the NHS staff. As part of service evaluation within CPFT, we collected routine screening data (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Posttraumatic Symptom Check List – 6 (PCL-6)) from patients completing the initial assessment (n = 130).ResultAccording to the initial figures (n = 130) from a diverse group of healthcare staff, on average the patients presented with moderate level of depressive symptoms (PHQ-9: 16.22 ± 5.94). Anxiety levels were in moderate to severe range (GAD-7: 13.45 ± 4.70). Average score of PCL-6 checklist for traumatic stress symptoms was higher than the established cut-off (&gt;14): 19.43 ± 5.65.ConclusionThe Staff Mental Health Service offers an innovative, multi-disciplinary rapid assessment and treatment clinic for NHS staff. The demand for the service has been immense, reaching double the number of predicted referrals. Initial data suggested high rates of moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress symptoms in healthcare workers. Our clinical observations was that many healthcare workers have had longstanding significant mental health conditions that saw deterioration during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that our experience in the SMHS will help inform models across the UK to address the clear unmet need for staff mental health.

Participation in gardening activity and its association with improved mental health among family caregivers of people with dementia in rural Uganda.

Evidence from high-income settings suggests that gardening is associated with reductions in depression,anxiety,and stress. The benefits of gardening are less well understood by mental health practitioners andresearchers from low- and middle-income countries. Our study estimated the association between participation in gardening and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among caregivers of people living with dementia in rural, southwestern Uganda. In a cross-sectional study, we interviewed 242 family caregivers of people with dementia to elicit their gardening activities; symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales); and caregiving burden (Zarit Burden Interview).Linear multivariable regression models estimated the association between participation in gardening and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Out of 242participants, 131(54%) caregivers were involved in gardening. Severe to extremely severe symptoms of depression were less prevalent among those who were involved in gardening compared with those who were not (0 [0%] vs. 105 [95%], P<0.001), as were severe to extremely severe symptoms of anxiety(36 [27%] vs.110 [99%], P<0.001) and stress (2 [2%] vs. 94 [85%], P<0.001).In regression models adjusting for covariates,we foundstatistically significantassociations betweenparticipation in gardening and symptoms of depression (b=-18.4; 95% CI,20.5 to -16.3), anxiety (b=-16.6; 95% CI, -18.6 to -14.6), and stress (b=-18.6; 95% CI, -20.6 to -16.6).Caregivers of people with dementia who participate in gardening have lower symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Gardening interventions in this at-risk population may ameliorate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

The prevalence of depression, stress and anxiety symptoms in patients with chronic heart failure

BackgroundMental health illnesses are associated with frequent hospitalisation and an increased risk of all-cause mortality. Despite the high prevalence of depression in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), there is a paucity of data on this subject from low and middle-income countries (LMIC). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in patients attending a dedicated CHF clinic.MethodsA prospective study was conducted at an outpatient heart failure clinic in a tertiary academic centre. The study participants completed a Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-21) questionnaire to screen for the presence and severity of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. Furthermore, the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) was completed and used to evaluate the impact of CHF on health-related quality of life (QoL). Descriptive statistics were used to describe patients' characteristics and logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of symptoms of depression.ResultsThe study population comprised of 103 patients, predominantly female (62.1%) with a median age of 53 (interquartile range 38–61) years. Symptoms of depression were reported by 52.4%, with 11.6% reporting symptoms suggestive of extremely severe depression. Anxiety was diagnosed in 53.4% of patients and extremely severe anxiety was reported by 18.4% of patients. Fifty patients were classified as stressed, and only 7.7% had extremely severe stress. More than half of the patients (54.4%) were in New York Heart Association functional class I. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction in the entire cohort was 30% (SD = ± 11.1%). In the multivariable logistic regression model, the MLHFQ score [odds ratio (OR) 1.04, 95% CI:1.02–1.06, p = 0.001] and the six-minute walk test [OR 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98–0.99, p = 0.014] were identified as independent predictors of depression.ConclusionDepression and anxiety symptoms were found in over half of patients attending the CHF clinic. We recommend that mental health screening should be routinely performed in patients with CHF. Prospective, adequately powered, multicentre studies from LMIC investigating the impact of depression, anxiety and stress on CHF outcomes such as health-related QoL, hospitalisation and mortality are required.

Stress, Anxiety, and Depression for Chinese Residents in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has profoundly affected the psychological well-being of foreign residents. This study examines stress, anxiety, and depression levels in Chinese residents in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. It identifies risk factors and the roles of disaster preparedness and social support. An online survey among Chinese residents in Japan was conducted from 22 June to 14 July 2020. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, Disaster Preparedness for Resilience Checklist, and Social Support Rate Scale were used to measure psychological symptoms. Multivariable linear regressions identified the risk factors and positive effects of disaster preparedness and social support. Of the total 497 participants, 45.3%, 66.6%, and 54.3% reported severe stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, respectively. People with a lower level of education, a higher level of economic influence, the presence of COVID-19 symptoms, and confirmed or suspected family or friends in China were associated with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first survey to reveal the protective role of disaster preparedness in reducing psychological symptoms during the pandemic. It offers unique data for further research on how to promote the mental health of vulnerable populations including foreign residents.

Mental Disorders of Bangladeshi Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review.

BackgroundThe unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has become a global burden disrupting peoples’ quality of life. Students being an important cohort of a country, their mental health during this pandemic has been recognized as a concerning issue. Therefore, the prevalence and associated risk factors of Bangladeshi students’ mental health sufferings (ie, depression, anxiety, and stress) are systematically reviewed herein for the first time.MethodsAdhering to the PRISMA guideline, a systematic search was performed from 1 to 5 April, 2021 in several databases including PubMed; and finally, a total of 7 articles were included to this review.ResultsThe prevalence rates of mild to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress ranged from 46.92% to 82.4%, 26.6% to 96.82%, and 28.5% to 70.1%, respectively. The risk factors concerning mental health problems included the factors related to (i) socio-demographic (younger age, gender, lower educational grade, urban residence, family size, currently living with family/parents, and having children in the family), (ii) behavior and health (smoking status, lack of physical exercise, more internet browsing time, and dissatisfaction with sleep), (iii) COVID-19 pandemic- (COVID-19 related symptoms, COVID-19 related perceptions, and fear of COVID-19 infection), (iv) miscellaneous (losing part-time teaching job, lack of study concentration, agitation, fear of getting assaulted or humiliated on the way to the hospital or home, financial problems, academic dissatisfaction, inadequate food supply, higher exposure to COVID-19 social and mass media, engaging with more recreational activities, and performing more household chores).ConclusionThe overall assumption of mental disorders’ prevalence rates can be regarded as problematic to this cohort. Thus, the authorities should consider setting up possible strategies to diminish the pandemic effect on students’ mental health.

Self-Reported Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Healthcare Workers in Ethiopia During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a public health emergency that has affected many world nations, including Ethiopia. Aside from its implications on the community as a whole, COVID-19 has also been associated with a variety of mental health problems among healthcare workers (HCWs). In this study, we aim to assess the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among HCWs in central Ethiopia.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey from June 25, 2020, to July 25, 2020, in Ethiopia. Data were collected using a self-reported Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Data were cleaned, coded, and analysed using SPSS Version 23. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify the associated factors for mental health outcomes at a p-value of less than 0.05.ResultsA total of 816 HCWs completed the self-report questionnaire. The percentage of HCWs who had moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were 60.3%, 78%, and 33.8%, respectively. Female participants, HCWs in the Oromiya Special Zone, medical laboratory professionals, and HCWs working in the COVID-19 treatment isolation centers were significantly more likely to have symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.ConclusionIn this study, HCWs reported a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Female participants, HCWs in the Oromiya Special Zone, medical laboratory professionals, and HCWs working in the COVID-19 treatment isolation centers were significantly more likely to have symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. It is imperative that the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health should develop psychological interventions to address the specific needs of HCWs who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Will the Emergence of the More Highly Infective Mutant Strains of SARS‐Cov‐2 Impose a Greater Strain on Health Care Professionals in 2021?

Provision of responsible healthcare to patients by healthcare professionals (HCP) during the COVID‐19 pandemic has lead to the development of symptoms of stress, anxiety, fear, and other strong emotions that has predisposed HCP to significant potential for mental health diagnosis including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In a metanalysis, Mealer et al (2009) and others reported that how one copes with these emotions and stressful conditions may affect the quality of healthcare provided to others, and the well‐being of the people they care about both within and outside of their work environment. The recent emergence of more highly infective mutations of SARS‐CoV‐2 [COVID‐19], identified as SARS‐CoV‐2 VUI 202012/01 in the USA with a reportedly 50‐70% greater contagious potential than the novel strain has sparked great concern throughout Europe, the United Kingdom and the USA, resulting in both International and Domestic travel limitations attempts to slow the continued spread of the coronavirus pandemic in attempts to contain the mutations, albeit it unsuccessful so far. PTSD and other mental health disorders may develop in individuals following exposure to a traumatic event or ongoing circumstances as has occurred among healthcare workers in the current pandemic as well as among returning combat veterans and disaster stricken regions and may be a precipitating cause of PTSD among HCPs and may contribute to their symptoms following prolonged exposure to their seemingly unending and highly stressful patient care responsibilities, and which symptoms may escape observation by others similarly affected in the treatment chain. The results of this metanalysis study indicate that according to Tang et al (2017), healthcare providers that were exposed to Avian Influenza virus (H7N9) patients were significantly prone (p=<0.05) to developing severe anxiety, PTSD stress and burnout symptoms, indicating a need for greater pre‐exposure training in traumatic illness stress management to better prepare them for early‐stage career management, particularly during the early stages of their careers. The recent emergence of SARS‐CoV‐2 VUI 202012/01 and more recent variants, potentially 50% or more contagious strains of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus with as yet unknown risks for morbidity and mortality particularly among smokers may pose such a threat among the general population and the among the HCP who may be tasked for their healthcare, wellbeing, and all to often, palliative supportive care, despite the best efforts of epidemiologic surveillance and containment via application of conventional public health measures and available resources.

Rates of depression, anxiety, and stress in King Abdulaziz University freshmen, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among first-year university students in Saudi Arabia.&#x0D; Method: We distributed an online survey through to 861 first-year students, aged 17-25, at King Abdulaziz University. The survey used a validated Arabic short version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, and sociodemographic factors.&#x0D; Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 80.4%, 71.8%, and 69.3%, respectively. A plurality showed extremely severe depression and anxiety, and severe stress symptoms. The frequency of exercise was inversely related to depression, anxiety, and stress. A total of 8.2% of students had visited a psychiatrist at some point in their lives, and 40.5% of students had suicidal thoughts.&#x0D; Conclusion: Programs to identify students suffering from mental illness and offer adequate care and support are essential.

Dual impacts of coronavirus anxiety on mental health in 35 societies

The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected both physical health and mental well-being around the world. Stress-related reactions, if prolonged, may result in mental health problems. We examined the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in a multinational study and explored the effects of government responses to the outbreak. We sampled 18,171 community adults from 35 countries/societies, stratified by age, gender, and region of residence. Across the 35 societies, 26.6% of participants reported moderate to extremely severe depression symptoms, 28.2% moderate to extremely severe anxiety symptoms, and 18.3% moderate to extremely severe stress symptoms. Coronavirus anxiety comprises two factors, namely Perceived Vulnerability and Threat Response. After controlling for age, gender, and education level, perceived vulnerability predicted higher levels of negative emotional symptoms and psychological distress, whereas threat response predicted higher levels of self-rated health and subjective well-being. People in societies with more stringent control policies had more threat response and reported better subjective health. Coronavirus anxiety exerts detrimental effects on subjective health and well-being, but also has the adaptive function in mobilizing safety behaviors, providing support for an evolutionary perspective on psychological adaptation.

Mental health of Tunisian women during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created a situation of general distress. Although the focus has been initially more on the physical health during the pandemic, mental health concerns linked to the lockdown have quickly risen.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic on Tunisian women’s mental health.MethodsAn online survey was conducted during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). We also collected sociodemographic information and mental health status.ResultsA total of 751 women completed the questionnaire. More than half of the participants (57.3%) reported extremely severe distress symptoms, and 53.1% had extremely severe stress symptoms as per the DASS-21. Those who had a history of mental illness were found to have more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.ConclusionsAs this study was the first one to evaluate the acute impact of COVID-19 on mental health in Tunisia, Arab world and in Africa, it may be a sound basis for developing an effective psychological intervention aimed at women in these regions.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Students of Saudi Arabia

Background: Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the numbers of cases and deaths worldwide have begun to increase, the closure of schools, universities, shops, workplaces, and the vast degree of precautionary actions, have left students feeling helpless, isolated, bored, and uncertain of what would happen to their academic advancement. Our study aims to assess the degree of the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: During the early days of the pandemic, the survey sample was based on non-probability sampling. We conducted an online-based survey using a snowball sample technique. The survey collected data on several aspects of the participants, including the psychological impact of COVID-19, using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The current study shows an extensive analysis of the survey with a focus on the impact of the pandemic on students. Results: A total of 336 students were recruited for the study and responded to the survey. The IES-R showed that 7.1% and 23.8% of the students experienced moderate and severe symptoms, respectively. On the DASS stress subscale, 13.4% and 10.7% of students experienced severe and extremely severe stress symptoms, respectively. With regards to anxiety, 6.0% and 15.8% of students experienced severe and extremely severe symptoms, respectively. As much as 11.6% and 17.6% of the students experienced severe and extremely severe symptoms of depression, respectively. Females were more likely to experience symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), stress, anxiety, and depression. Having a family member working in the field of health/medicine was significantly associated with depression; poor to average health and previous diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder was associated with a higher chance of developing PTSD, stress, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion: During the early days of the pandemic, nearly one-fourth of students experienced moderate to severe symptoms of PTSD. Our findings could help guide schools and universities in implementing a clear, effective strategy for students to navigate the coming academic year and expand the efforts made on academic and psychological counseling, especially for the vulnerable populations.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Epidemic and Mental Health Status in the General Adult Population of Serbia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Since its outbreak, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread throughout the world. The Serbian government declared a state of emergency on 15 March 2020, implementing some of Europe’s strictest measures to combat the pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the mental health of the general adult Serbian population and to identify associated factors during the state of emergency and lockdown. Data were collected with a snowball sampling method between 23 March and 25 April 2020, by using an online questionnaire. Multiple ordinal regression was performed to establish the associations between socio-demographic characteristics, self-estimated health status, and depression, anxiety, and stress. Out of 1057 participants included in the study, 28.9%, 36.9%, and 38.1% reported moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Uneasiness related to COVID-19 news, the feeling of helplessness, likeliness of impending death, and presence of COVID-19 symptoms were associated with higher depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Current smoking status was associated with a higher risk of depression and stress. Students had a significantly higher level of depression and stress, while older age was protective against anxiety and stress. Higher socioeconomic status was significantly associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Depression, anxiety and stress among Australian nursing and midwifery undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

To assess depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate nursing and midwifery students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify socio-demographic and educational characteristics associated with higher depression, anxiety and stress scores. Cross-sectional study during August-September 2020, using an anonymous, online, self-administered survey. E-mail invitations with a survey link were sent to 2,907 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing suite of courses, offered across four campuses of a single university in Victoria, Australia. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed using the DASS-21. Data on socio-demographic and educational characteristics, self-rated physical health and exposure to COVID-19 were also collected. DASS-21 subscale scores were compared with existing data for various pre-pandemic and COVID-19 samples. Multiple regression was used to investigate factors associated with higher scores on depression, anxiety and stress subscales. The response rate was 22% (n=638). Mean scores on all DASS-21 subscales were significantly higher (p<0.001) than means from all comparative sample data. The proportions of students reporting moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were 48.5%, 37.2% and 40.2% respectively. Being a woman, being younger, having completed more years of study and having poorer self-rated general health were all significantly associated (p<0.05) with higher scores on at least one DASS-21 subscale. Almost half of participants reported at least moderate symptoms of depression; more than a third reported at least moderate symptoms of anxiety or stress. Poor psychological wellbeing can impact students' successful completion of their studies and therefore, has implications for nursing and midwifery workforce recruitment and retention. During and after pandemics, universities should consider screening undergraduate students not only for anxiety and stress, but also for depression. Clear, low-cost referral pathways should be available, should screening indicate that further diagnosis or treatment is required.

Stres i zadovoljstvo životom kod zavisnika od alkohola

Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the level of stress and life satisfaction in alcohol addicts, i.e., to examine whether respondents diagnosed with alcohol dependence (F10.2) differ according to the level ofstress and life satisfaction in comparison to respondents from the general population. Methods. The research was designed as a non-experimental, observational cross-sectional study, and was conducted in the period from January to July 2021, at the University Clinical Center Kragujevac. The sample consisted of 80 subjects of both sexes, aged 22 to 36 years, divided into two groups: the clinical group (subjects diagnosed with alcohol dependence - F10.2) and the control group of subjects without psychiatric illness. Results. The study has shown that alcohol addicts have clinically significant and severe symptoms of stress, as well as that stress symptoms were positively correlated with alcoholism, and negatively with life satisfaction. In our sample, the association between stress and life satisfaction in addicts was very negative and very significant (r = - 0.645, p &lt;0.001). In the clinical group of alcohol addicts, a very strong correlation was found (r = - 0.907, p &lt;0.001), while in the control group there was a moderate correlation (r = - 0.315, p &lt;0.05). No statistically significant correlation of stress was found with marital status, as well as with work status, level of education or religious beliefs. Conclusion. In our study, it was found that higher values of stress and lower values of life satisfaction are predictive values for the possibility of alcohol dependence. These findings can be used as an auxiliary tool for orientation assessment as part of establishing the diagnosis of alcohol dependence, as well as for a better understanding of the stress phenomenon in the clinical population of alcohol addicts in our country.