| Autor: |
Owens M; Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK., Townsend E; Self-Harm Research Group, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK., Hall E; Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK., Bhatia T; Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK., Fitzgibbon R; Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK., Miller-Lakin F; Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK. |
| Abstrakt: |
This study aimed to assess the levels of mental wellbeing and potential for clinical need in a sample of UK university students aged 18-25 during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also tested the dose-response relationship between the severity of lockdown restrictions and mental wellbeing. We carried out a prospective shortitudinal study (one month between baseline and follow up) during the pandemic to do this and included 389 young people. We measured a range of facets of mental wellbeing, including depression, depressogenic cognition (rumination), wellbeing, stress and sleep disturbance. Our primary outcome was 'probable depression' as indexed by a score of ≥10 on the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-8). The prevalence of probable depression was significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels (55%) and did not decrease significantly over time (52%). Higher levels of lockdown severity were prospectively associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Nearly all students had at least one mental wellbeing concern at either time point (97%). The evidence suggests that lockdown has caused a wellbeing crisis in young people. The associated long-term mental, social, educational, personal and societal costs are as yet unknown but should be tracked using further longitudinal studies. |
