Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Symptom, and the Demands for Psychological Knowledge and Interventions in College Students During COVID-19 Epidemic: A Large Cross-sectional Study

Overview

Journal J Affect Disord

Date 2020 Aug 1

PMID 32734907

Citations 146

Authors

Zheng-He Wang

Hai-Lian Yang

Yun-Qing Yang

Dan Liu

Zhi-Hao Li

Xi-Ru Zhang

Yu-Jie Zhang

Dong Shen

Pei-Liang Chen

Wei-Qi Song

Xiao-Meng Wang

Xian-Bo Wu

Xing-Fen Yang

Chen Mao

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Although studies have suggested experiencing the epidemic of severe infectious diseases increased the prevalence of mental health problems, the association between COVID-19 epidemic and risk of anxiety and depression symptom in college students in China was unclear.

Methods: A large cross-sectional online survey with 44,447 college students was conducted in Guangzhou, China. The Zung's Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D Scale) were used to define the anxiety and depression symptom, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between COVID-19 epidemic and risk of anxiety and depression symptom.

Results: The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptom was 7.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.5%, 8.0%) and 12.2% (95%CI: 11.9%, 12.5%), respectively. Compared with students who reported have not infected or suspected cases in family members and relatives, students who reported having confirmed (OR=4.06; 95%CI: 1.62, 10.19; P = 0.003), and suspected (OR=2.11; 95%CI: 1.11, 4.00; P = 0.023) cases in family members and relatives had higher risk of depression symptom. Additionally, the proportions of students with anxiety and depression symptom reported more demand of psychological knowledge and interventions than those without (P<0.001).

Limitations: All the data in this study was collected through online questionnaire, and we did not evaluate the reliability and validity.

Conclusions: The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptom was relatively low in college students, but the COVID-19 epidemic-related factors might be associated with higher depression symptom risk.

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