Ahmad N AlHadi1,2, Mohammed A Alarabi3,4, Khulood M AlMansoor4,5. 1. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. alhadi@ksu.edu.sa. 2. SABIC Psychological Health Research & Applications Chair (SPHRAC), Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. alhadi@ksu.edu.sa. 3. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 4. SABIC Psychological Health Research & Applications Chair (SPHRAC), Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 5. Self-Development Skills Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people's lives globally. The outbreak in Saudi Arabia worsened when the number of cases and deaths rose in March and April of 2020, leading to a national lockdown. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with mental health symptoms in a sample of people residing in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study using an online survey distributed via social media, completed by 3032 respondents from all Saudi regions. We collected demographic data, illness history, and scores of validated self-report scales to assess mental health symptoms, intolerance of uncertainty, and coping strategies. RESULTS: In total, respondents indicated moderate to very severe symptoms during the pandemic as follows: 20.9% for depression, 17.5% for anxiety, and 12.6% for stress. Younger age, female gender, and history of mental illness were associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Intolerance of uncertainty and certain coping strategies (such as denial or self-blame) were associated with more severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health is a key concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for the identified vulnerable groups. Agencies concerned with mental health during crises may use the studied associated factors of mental health symptoms to generate targeted policies or interventions.
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people's lives globally. The outbreak in Saudi Arabia worsened when the number of cases and deaths rose in March and April of 2020, leading to a national lockdown. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with mental health symptoms in a sample of people residing in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study using an online survey distributed via social media, completed by 3032 respondents from all Saudi regions. We collected demographic data, illness history, and scores of validated self-report scales to assess mental health symptoms, intolerance of uncertainty, and coping strategies. RESULTS: In total, respondents indicated moderate to very severe symptoms during the pandemic as follows: 20.9% for depression, 17.5% for anxiety, and 12.6% for stress. Younger age, female gender, and history of mental illness were associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Intolerance of uncertainty and certain coping strategies (such as denial or self-blame) were associated with more severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health is a key concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for the identified vulnerable groups. Agencies concerned with mental health during crises may use the studied associated factors of mental health symptoms to generate targeted policies or interventions.
Authors: Jun Shigemura; Robert J Ursano; Joshua C Morganstein; Mie Kurosawa; David M Benedek Journal: Psychiatry Clin Neurosci Date: 2020-02-23 Impact factor: 5.188
Authors: Mohamad-Hani Temsah; Shuliweeh Alenezi; Mohammed Alarabi; Fadi Aljamaan; Khalid Alhasan; Rasha Assiri; Rolan Bassrawi; Fatimah Alshahrani; Ali Alhaboob; Ali Alaraj; Nasser S Alharbi; Abdulkarim Alrabiaah; Rabih Halwani; Amr Jamal; Naif Abdulmajeed; Lina Alfarra; Wafa Almashdali; Ayman Al-Eyadhy; Fahad AlZamil; Sarah Alsubaie; Mazin Barry; Ziad A Memish; Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-09 Impact factor: 3.390