University students’ changes in mental health status and determinants of behavior during the COVID-19 lockdown in Greece

Autor: Chrysi K. Kaparounaki, Mikaella E. Patsali, Konstantinos N. Fountoulakis, Danai-Priskila V. Mousa, Eleni V.K. Papadopoulou, Ioannis Diakogiannis, Konstantina Papadopoulou
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: Psychiatry Research
ISSN: 0165-1781
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113298
Popis: Highlights • During the lockdown: • Two thirds of university students reported at least ‘much’ increase in anxiety • One third in depressive feelings and • 2.59% an increase in suicidal thoughts. • Major depression was present in 12.43% • Severe distress was present in 13.46% • Risk factors were: • Female sex • History of self-injury • History of suicidal attempts • Following studies of law, literature, pedagogics, political sciences and related studies as well as technical but not health sciences • Beliefs in conspiracy theories • Enjoyed acceptance ranging from 20-68% • Students of law, literature, pedagogics, political sciences and related studies manifested higher acceptance rates.
Introduction : The aim of the study was to investigate mental health in university students in Greece, during lockdown due to COVID-19. Material and Methods : The data were collected online and anonymously, during lockdown; they included 1104 females (aged 22.08±4,96) and 431 males (aged 22.35±3.11). The analysis included transformation of the data with post-stratification method, descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Factorial Analysis of Variance and Relative Risk ratios Results : The results suggest that during, lockdown major depression was present in 12.43% with 13.46% experiencing severe distress. Risk factors were female sex, history of self-injury, suicidal attempts and following theoretical studies (RR=2-5.71). Conspiracy theories were accepted by 20-68%, with students of theoretical studies manifesting higher rates. Discussion : The results of the current study confirmed that students are at high risk to develop depression and suicidality in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak. They also identified specific risk factors and pointed to the role of believing in conspiracy theories in copying with stress. They also identified populations with higher prevalence of these beliefs. Further targeted research is necessary as well as targeted intervention in vulnerable groups but concerning mental health as well as the reduction of believing in conspiracy theories.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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