Practicing COVID-19 Public Health Measures Is Associated With Anxiety and Depression in Undergraduate University Students
Practicing COVID-19 Public Health Measures Is Associated With Anxiety and Depression in Undergraduate University Students
Blog Article
BackgroundCOVID-19 has affected mental health globally, increasing depression and anxiety.This study examined relationships between practicing COVID-19-related public health measures and depression and anxiety in young adult students.MethodsA sample of 755 undergraduate students 18–25 years of age at a large public university completed a cross-sectional survey in fall 2020 during the pandemic (response rate = 18.9%).The survey included demographic questions, anxiety Voice Recorders and depression screeners (GAD-7 and PHQ-9), and questions on practicing public health measures (stay-at-home orders, quarantining, social distancing, etc.
) since March 2020.Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to calculated adjusted odds between practicing public health measures and anxiety and depression.ResultsThe majority of respondents reported practicing public health measures; however, 53% experienced anxiety (GAD-7 score >10) and 57% experienced depression (PHQ-9 score >10) in the 2 weeks prior to completing the survey.Participants who quarantined had significantly higher odds of anxiety (AOR = 1.44; 95% CL 1.
07, 1.96) and depression (AOR = 1.77; 95% CL 1.30, 2.41) than those who did not.
Participants who self-isolated also had significantly higher odds of anxiety (AOR = 1.53; 95% CL 1.13, 2.08) and depression (AOR = 1.87; 95% CL 1.
37, 2.56) compared to those who did not.Moving/changing living situations in response to the pandemic also increased odds of depression (AOR = 1.86; 95% CL 1.33, 2.
60).ConclusionYoung adult undergraduate students experienced a high prevalence of anxiety and depression.Quarantining, self-isolating, and moving/changing living situations increased Stiffeners odds of anxiety and/or depression.The public health measures necessary for COVID-19 control and prevention may adversely affect mental health.