Szabolcs Garbóczy1,2, Anita Szemán-Nagy3, Mohamed S Ahmad4, Szilvia Harsányi1, Dorottya Ocsenás5,6, Viktor Rekenyi4, Ala'a B Al-Tammemi1,7, László Róbert Kolozsvári8,9. 1. Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. 3. Department of Personality and Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. 4. Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. 5. Department of Social and Work Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. 6. Doctoral School of Human Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. 7. Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Móricz Zs. krt. 22, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary. 8. Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. kolozsvari.laszlo@med.unideb.hu. 9. Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Móricz Zs. krt. 22, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary. kolozsvari.laszlo@med.unideb.hu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the case of people who carry an increased number of anxiety traits and maladaptive coping strategies, psychosocial stressors may further increase the level of perceived stress they experience. In our research study, we aimed to examine the levels of perceived stress and health anxiety as well as coping styles among university students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online-based survey at the University of Debrecen during the official lockdown in Hungary when dormitories were closed, and teaching was conducted remotely. Our questionnaire solicited data using three assessment tools, namely, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI). RESULTS: A total of 1320 students have participated in our study and 31 non-eligible responses were excluded. Among the remaining 1289 participants, 948 (73.5%) and 341 (26.5%) were Hungarian and international students, respectively. Female students predominated the overall sample with 920 participants (71.4%). In general, there was a statistically significant positive relationship between perceived stress and health anxiety. Health anxiety and perceived stress levels were significantly higher among international students compared to domestic ones. Regarding coping, wishful thinking was associated with higher levels of stress and anxiety among international students, while being a goal-oriented person acted the opposite way. Among the domestic students, cognitive restructuring as a coping strategy was associated with lower levels of stress and anxiety. Concerning health anxiety, female students (domestic and international) had significantly higher levels of health anxiety compared to males. Moreover, female students had significantly higher levels of perceived stress compared to males in the international group, however, there was no significant difference in perceived stress between males and females in the domestic group. CONCLUSION: The elevated perceived stress levels during major life events can be further deepened by disengagement from home (being away/abroad from country or family) and by using inadequate coping strategies. By following and adhering to the international recommendations, adopting proper coping methods, and equipping oneself with the required coping and stress management skills, the associated high levels of perceived stress and anxiety could be mitigated.
BACKGROUND: In the case of people who carry an increased number of anxiety traits and maladaptive coping strategies, psychosocial stressors may further increase the level of perceived stress they experience. In our research study, we aimed to examine the levels of perceived stress and health anxiety as well as coping styles among university students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online-based survey at the University of Debrecen during the official lockdown in Hungary when dormitories were closed, and teaching was conducted remotely. Our questionnaire solicited data using three assessment tools, namely, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI). RESULTS: A total of 1320 students have participated in our study and 31 non-eligible responses were excluded. Among the remaining 1289 participants, 948 (73.5%) and 341 (26.5%) were Hungarian and international students, respectively. Female students predominated the overall sample with 920 participants (71.4%). In general, there was a statistically significant positive relationship between perceived stress and health anxiety. Health anxiety and perceived stress levels were significantly higher among international students compared to domestic ones. Regarding coping, wishful thinking was associated with higher levels of stress and anxiety among international students, while being a goal-oriented person acted the opposite way. Among the domestic students, cognitive restructuring as a coping strategy was associated with lower levels of stress and anxiety. Concerning health anxiety, female students (domestic and international) had significantly higher levels of health anxiety compared to males. Moreover, female students had significantly higher levels of perceived stress compared to males in the international group, however, there was no significant difference in perceived stress between males and females in the domestic group. CONCLUSION: The elevated perceived stress levels during major life events can be further deepened by disengagement from home (being away/abroad from country or family) and by using inadequate coping strategies. By following and adhering to the international recommendations, adopting proper coping methods, and equipping oneself with the required coping and stress management skills, the associated high levels of perceived stress and anxiety could be mitigated.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; Coping styles; Health anxiety; Hungary; Lockdown; Pandemic; Perceived stress; University students
Authors: Siew E Chua; Vinci Cheung; Charlton Cheung; Grainne M McAlonan; Josephine W S Wong; Erik P T Cheung; Marco T Y Chan; Michael M C Wong; Siu W Tang; Khai M Choy; Meng K Wong; Chung M Chu; Kenneth W T Tsang Journal: Can J Psychiatry Date: 2004-06 Impact factor: 4.356
Authors: José Rafael González-López; Diego Serrano-Gómez; Verónica Velasco-González; Ana Rosa Alconero-Camarero; Daniel Cuesta-Lozano; Esther García-García; Pilar González-Sanz; Iván Herrera-Peco; Esther Martínez-Miguel; José María Morán-García; José Ignacio Recio-Rodríguez; Carmen Sarabia-Cobo Journal: J Pers Med Date: 2022-03-22
Authors: Ala'a B Al-Tammemi; Muna Barakat; Dua'a Al Tamimi; Sami A Alhallaq; Dima M Al Hasan; Ghena M Khasawneh; Khalil Abu Naqera; Raghad M Jaradat; Fadi W Farah; Hindya O Al-Maqableh; Alaa Abuawad; Bayan Othman; Zeinab Tarhini; Hamza Odeh; Moawiah Khatatbeh; Amal Akour; Musheer A Aljaberi; László Róbert Kolozsvári Journal: Tob Use Insights Date: 2021-11-23
Authors: Louis Delamarre; Salma Tannous; Ines Lakbar; Sébastien Couarraze; Bruno Pereira; Marc Leone; Fouad Marhar; Julien S Baker; Reza Bagheri; Mickael Berton; Hana Rabbouch; Marek Zak; Tomasz Sikorski; Magdalena Wasik; Hijrah Nasir; Binh Quach; Jiao Jiao; Raimundo Aviles; Maëlys Clinchamps; Fréderic Dutheil Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-26 Impact factor: 4.614