Screening for Anxiety and Its Determinants Among Secondary School Students During the COVID-19 Era: a Snapshot from Qatar in 2021

Overview

Journal Discov Ment Health

Publisher Springer

Date 2022 Jun 7

PMID 35668751

Authors

Alia Albinali

Sarah Naja

Noora Al Kaabi

Nagah Slim

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Anxiety among adolescents may lead to disability and has a tremendous impact on one's quality of life. The alarming COVID-19 pandemic is expected to increase the anxiety level of adolescents especially with enforced governmental management strategies. This study will assess anxiety symptoms among secondary school students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar.

Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study among adolescents attending independent secondary schools in Qatar. First, potential participants were invited through Microsoft teams. Next, a total of 750 participants were assessed through the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) tool. We then conducted descriptive analyses and the Chi-square test to examine significant determinants of anxiety, which was followed by logistic regression analysis. In the end, the scale was tested for its internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha.

Results: Anxiety symptoms were seen in 37.2% of the participants. Female gender, previous history of mental illness, comorbidities, permissive parenting style, and spending more than 12 h per day on the internet were significant determinants of anxiety. Furthermore, a previous history of mental illness, low perceived social support, isolation, and social distancing predicted anxiety.

Conclusions: Anxiety is common among secondary school students in Qatar, and preventive interventions must target the determinants, especially during a pandemic.

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