Yuanyuan Li1, Jingbo Zhao2, Zijuan Ma3, Larkin S McReynolds4, Dihuan Lin5, Zihao Chen3, Tong Wang3, Dongfang Wang3, Yifan Zhang3, Jinfang Zhang3, Fang Fan6, Xianchen Liu7. 1. Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. 2. Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. 3. Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China. 4. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, USA. 5. Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. 6. Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: fangfan@scnu.edu.cn. 7. Center for Public Health Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Growing evidence supports a clear association between COVID-19 pandemic and mental health. However, little is known about the longitudinal course of psychopathology in young adults at different stages of the pandemic. METHODS: This large-scale, longitudinal, population-based survey was conducted among college students in China. The rates of three mental health problems (acute stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms), and their change patterns at two phases of the pandemic (early vs under-control) were measured. Predictors of changes in mental health symptoms were examined utilizing multivariate regression. RESULTS: Among the 164,101 college students who participated in the first wave survey (T1=during onset of outbreak), 68,685 (41.9%) completed a follow-up survey (T2=during remission). In the follow-up survey, the prevalence of probable acute stress (T1: 34.6%; T2: 16.4%) decreased, while the rates of depressive (T1: 21.6%; T2: 26.3%) and anxiety symptoms (T1: 11.4%; T2: 14.7%) increased. Senior students, with suspected or conformed cases in their community and COVID-19 related worries (all AORs > 1.20, ps < 0.001) were found to have a higher risk of developing mental health problems in at least one wave. Less physical exercise, low perceived social support, and a dysfunctional family were found to negatively impact psychological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Acute stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms have been prevalent among college students during the COVID-19 epidemic, and showed a significant increase after the initial stage of the outbreak. Some college students, especially those with the risk factors noted above, exhibited persistent or delayed symptoms.
BACKGROUND: Growing evidence supports a clear association between COVID-19 pandemic and mental health. However, little is known about the longitudinal course of psychopathology in young adults at different stages of the pandemic. METHODS: This large-scale, longitudinal, population-based survey was conducted among college students in China. The rates of three mental health problems (acute stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms), and their change patterns at two phases of the pandemic (early vs under-control) were measured. Predictors of changes in mental health symptoms were examined utilizing multivariate regression. RESULTS: Among the 164,101 college students who participated in the first wave survey (T1=during onset of outbreak), 68,685 (41.9%) completed a follow-up survey (T2=during remission). In the follow-up survey, the prevalence of probable acute stress (T1: 34.6%; T2: 16.4%) decreased, while the rates of depressive (T1: 21.6%; T2: 26.3%) and anxiety symptoms (T1: 11.4%; T2: 14.7%) increased. Senior students, with suspected or conformed cases in their community and COVID-19 related worries (all AORs > 1.20, ps < 0.001) were found to have a higher risk of developing mental health problems in at least one wave. Less physical exercise, low perceived social support, and a dysfunctional family were found to negatively impact psychological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Acute stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms have been prevalent among college students during the COVID-19 epidemic, and showed a significant increase after the initial stage of the outbreak. Some college students, especially those with the risk factors noted above, exhibited persistent or delayed symptoms.
Authors: Kristina Schröpfer; Nicole Schmidt; Sandra Kus; Clemens Koob; Michaela Coenen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-19 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Zaichao Han; Xiujuan Tang; Xiaoshan Li; Youtian Shen; Li Li; Jingjing Wang; Xiaowei Chen; Zhijun Hu Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-06-18
Authors: Matthew J Savage; Philip J Hennis; Daniele Magistro; James Donaldson; Laura C Healy; Ruth M James Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-12 Impact factor: 3.390