open access publication

Article, 2024

Students' mental health during the pandemic: results of the observational cross-sectional COVID-19 MEntal health inTernational for university Students (COMET-S) study

Frontiers in Psychiatry, ISSN 1664-0640, Volume 14, Page 1320156, 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1320156

Contributors

Fountoulakis, Konstantinos N 0000-0001-5503-0811 [1] Alias, Nor Aziah 0000-0002-6405-1400 [2] Bjedov, Sarah [3] Fountoulakis, Nikolaos K (Corresponding author) [4] Gonda, Xenia 0000-0001-9015-4203 [5] Hilbig, Jan [6] Jakovljević, Miro [7] Kulig, Barbara [5] Mahale, Girija [8] Manafis, Alexandros [1] Mohammed, Muftau [9] Nadareishvili, Ilia 0000-0001-8749-125X [10] Navickas, Alvydas [6] Patsali, Mikaella E [11] [12] Pavlichenko, Alexey [13] Pilaga, Sindija Mairita [14] Razali, Salmi 0000-0003-3955-2729 [2] Romanov, Dmitry [15] Rossitza, Iakimova [16] Salihu, Auwal Sani [17] [18] Sinauridze, Ana [19] Stoyanova, Maria [16] Thosar, Ketaki [8] Vorobjova, Julija [14] Vrublevska, Jelena [14] [20] Rancans, Elmars 0000-0002-8329-7887 [14] [20] Javed, Afzal [21] [22] [23] Theodorakis, Pavlos N [24] Breda, Joao Joaquim 0000-0002-8177-4926 [24] Smirnova, Daria Alexandrovna 0000-0002-9591-4918 [15]

Affiliations

  1. [1] Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
    2. [NORA names: Greece; Europe, EU; OECD];
  2. [2] Universiti Teknologi MARA
    3. [NORA names: Malaysia; Asia, South];
  3. [3] University Hospital Centre Zagreb
    4. [NORA names: Croatia; Europe, EU];
  4. [4] Medical University of Sofia
    5. [NORA names: Bulgaria; Europe, EU];
  5. [5] Semmelweis University
    6. [NORA names: Hungary; Europe, EU; OECD];

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to search rates of depression and mental health in university students, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study. A protocol gathering sociodemographic variables as well as depression, anxiety and suicidality and conspiracism was assembled, and data were collected anonymously and online from April 2020 through March 2021. The sample included 12,488 subjects from 11 countries, of whom 9,026 were females (72.2%; aged 21.11 ± 2.53), 3,329 males (26.65%; aged 21.61 ± 2.81) and 133 "non-binary gender" (1.06%; aged 21.02 ± 2.98). The analysis included chi-square tests, correlation analysis, ANCOVA, multiple forward stepwise linear regression analysis and Relative Risk ratios. Results: Dysphoria was present in 15.66% and probable depression in 25.81% of the total study sample. More than half reported increase in anxiety and depression and 6.34% in suicidality, while lifestyle changes were significant. The model developed explained 18.4% of the development of depression. Believing in conspiracy theories manifested a complex effect. Close to 25% was believing that the vaccines include a chip and almost 40% suggested that facemask wearing could be a method of socio-political control. Conspiracism was related to current depression but not to history of mental disorders. Discussion: The current study reports that students are at high risk for depression during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified specific risk factors. It also suggested a role of believing in conspiracy theories. Further research is important, as it is targeted intervention in students' groups that are vulnerable both concerning mental health and conspiracism.

Keywords

ANCOVA, COVID-19, COVID-19 pandemic, University, analysis, anxiety, changes, chi-square test, chip, comet, complex effects, conspiracism, conspiracy, conspiracy theories, control, correlation, correlation analysis, countries, cross-sectional study, current depression, data, depression, development, development of depression, disorders, dysphoria, effect, facemask, factors, females, forward stepwise linear regression analysis, gender, group, health, high risk, history, history of mental disorders, identified specific risk factors, increase, intervention, lifestyle, lifestyle changes, linear regression analysis, male, materials, mental disorders, mental health, method, model, non-binary gender, observational cross-sectional study, pandemic, protocol, rate, rates of depression, ratio, regression analysis, relative risk ratios, research, results, risk, risk factors, risk ratio, samples, socio-political control, sociodemographic variables, specific risk factors, stepwise linear regression analysis, student groups, students, students' mental health, study, subjects, suicide, targeted interventions, test, theory, university students, vaccine, variables

Funders

  • World Health Organization
  • World Health Organization - India

Data Provider: Digital Science

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