Stress and headaches in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Francisco J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10664899 | biostudies-literature | 2023
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Stress and headaches in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Francisco Jenna J Golshan Faly F Morrison Todd G TG Mickleborough Marla M
PloS one 20231122 11
With regards to the relationship between mental and physical health conditions, some studies predict increased headache frequency as a result of exposure to stressful situations. Thus, the purpose of our study was to investigate whether headache characteristics among a sample of university students (N = 234) correlated with fear of COVID-19, stress and quality of life vis-à-vis the pandemic. We found statistically significant positive correlations between headache frequency and both general stre ...[more]
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Project description:BackgroundThe negative effect of COVID-19 pandemic on college students' mental health is well-demonstrated. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the pandemic on the students of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Northern Greece), in terms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and to analyze the probable correlation of various social and phycological factors.MethodsThe survey was conducted in the form of a questionnaire, which was first distributed in November 2020 and then re-launched in November 2021. The evaluation was carried out through the DASS21 screening tool. Associations regarding participants' characteristics and the three variables (stress, anxiety, and depression) were investigated with Pearson's chi-squared (Χ2) test.ResultsThe first-year results (November 2020) revealed severe prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression (37.4%, 27.2% and 47% respectively). The second-year results (November 2021) revealed a significant augmentation in all three variables, mainly for the extreme severe scales (47.3%, 41.1% and 55% respectively). Participants who were receiving psychiatric treatment exhibited higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, especially during the second year of the pandemic (p-Value < 0.00001). Female students' mental health was at higher risk, as elevated prevalence of negative symptoms was observed (p-Value < 0.00001).ConclusionsThe community of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has been greatly affected during the last 2 years. The inherent risks of the confinement measures on students' well-being and mental health are undeniable. Recurrent annual psychological evaluation in universities and colleges is strongly advised.
| S-EPMC9332455 | biostudies-literature
Project description:University students were confronted with abrupt changes to their daily lives by the COVID-19 lock-down. We investigated Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7) and anxiety levels, and the association between perceived impact on well-being, studies, and daily lives and anxiety levels, adjusted for gender, age, social class and affiliation. Early in the lock-down all students of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (N = 12,429) were invited to a voluntary longitudinal health survey. Participation rate was 20% (n = 2437): 70% females, median age 25 yrs. (IQR 23-28). A total of 10% reported a deterioration of well-being compared to pre-Corona. LCA yielded three classes varying in perceived COVID-19 impact: 1 (low, n = 675), 2 (moderate, n = 1098), and 3 (strong, n = 656). Adjusted proportion of moderate to severe anxiety by class were 45% (95% CI: 28.0-62.0), 15.5% (95% CI: 13.1-17.9), and 5.1% (95% CI: 4.7-5.6), respectively. Multivariate regression analyses yielded an OR for moderate to severe anxiety of 3.88 (95% CI: 2.5-6.0, class 2) and 22.43 (95% CI: 14.5-34.6, class 3) compared to class-1. The investigated association implies that containment measures have a selective effect on anxiety in students. The diversity of students' perception and associated anxiety should be monitored and considered in future response to pandemics.
| S-EPMC7599649 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundProtective measures like social distancing and staying home when possible were imposed by the public health authorities to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Educational institutions which had previously experienced only face-to-face traditional methods of service delivery suffered from huge difficulties in maintaining an effective teaching process. This cross-sectional study investigates the experiences of students of Hawler Medical University (Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan), exploring their e-learning experience and satisfaction when conventional classroom learning was suspended due to lockdown.MethodsA self-administered online questionnaire designed on Google Forms was administered from 14 to 31 March 2020. The main section of the questionnaire asked participants to rate their agreement with statements concerning e-learning satisfaction using a five-point Likert scale, with answers ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree.ResultsFrom an initial 1550 participants, 808 ultimately completed the processual stage. The majority of respondents were female, from the College of Medicine, of urban residence, and of an average economic situation. Three-quarters of the respondents had not participated in any online course before, 27.7% did not have the required electronic devices, 43.3% did not have the sufficient computer skills for the e-learning, and 38% thought that the University did not support the use of the e-learning system. During the processual stage, only 24.4% thought that the internet connection was good and helpful, 14.6% easily attended the online sessions, 35.6% thought that teachers have enough time to answer students' questions and concerns, and 18% that the teaching materials contributed to the course objectives and overall learning outcome.ConclusionsHawler Medical students were not well prepared to engage in the e-learning process. The majority experienced internet access and other technical problems in accessing the online sessions. They did not feel that the e-learning process has contributed to the achievement of course objectives and overall learning outcomes.
| S-EPMC9949649 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Many studies have highlighted the impact of lockdowns on the lifestyle of university students. We do not, however, know how these lifestyles have changed over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the present study was to describe changes in the levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and alcohol consumption in French university students during different periods of the pandemic. This cohort study was conducted between 23 April and 11 December 2020. Measurements were performed four times: Twice during two successive lockdowns and twice during the intervening period. A total of 1294 university students were initially included, and 91 students completed the four measurement points over a seven-month period. Alcohol consumption, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors were measured. The results revealed high levels of physical activity during the first lockdown, but a subsequent decline during the pandemic that was partly explained by time. The pandemic had a positive effect on alcohol consumption. Sedentary levels were higher during both lockdowns, and sedentary behaviors tended to persist over time. This study raises concerns about the long-term effects of the pandemic on students' health and lifestyle. The preponderance of distance learning should be reconsidered, given the negative impact of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior on long-term health, especially in young adults.
| S-EPMC8430950 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundCOVID-19 has impacted mental health globally, however, associations between anxiety and appetitive traits during the pandemic are unreported. This study evaluated anxiety symptom severity and associations with appetitive traits in students at a large public University in the U.S. during the pandemic.MethodsCurrent undergraduate and graduate/professional students completed a cross-sectional survey in fall 2020. Demographic information, anxiety symptoms in the past 2 weeks assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and appetitive traits assessed by the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ) were evaluated. Mean scores for eight AEBQ scales (four food approach and four food avoidance traits) were calculated. Differences in mean scores were examined between participants with moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 score ≥ 10) and those with mild to no anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 score < 10) via independent samples t-tests and effect sizes. Associations between GAD-7 score and individual appetitive traits were also examined, adjusting for age and gender.ResultsOf the 1243 students who completed the survey (57% undergraduates; mean age = 26.5 years), 51.9% reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. Groups experiencing the highest degree of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms included transgender, gender fluid, and other-gendered participants (73.6%); the youngest age group [18-20 years (62%)]; undergraduate students (60.7%); and Hispanic/Latinx participants (57.7%). Participants with moderate to severe anxiety symptoms had higher scores for most food approach and avoidance traits but lower scores for enjoyment of food than those with mild to no anxiety symptoms. Effect sizes were largest for hunger and emotional over-eating (Cohen's d = 0.31 and 0.30, respectively). Adjusting for age and gender, GAD-7 score was significantly and positively associated with hunger, emotional over-eating, food and satiety responsiveness, and food fussiness and negatively associated with enjoyment of food.ConclusionsOver half of students at a U.S. University reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms during COVID-19. More severe anxiety symptoms were associated with increased hunger, emotional over-eating, and food and satiety responsiveness and decreased enjoyment of food. Universities must consider strategies to address anxiety, particularly in younger students; transgender, gender fluid, and students of other genders; and across race/ethnicities keeping in mind associations with appetitive traits.
| S-EPMC8118620 | biostudies-literature
Project description:There is a dearth of evidence synthesis on the prevalence of anxiety among university students even though the risk of psychological disorders among this population is quite high. We conducted a quantitative systematic review to estimate the global prevalence of anxiety among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic search for cross-sectional studies on PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO, using PRISMA guidelines, was conducted from September 2020 to February 2021. A total of 36 studies were included, using a random-effects model to calculate the pooled proportion of anxiety. A meta-analysis of the prevalence estimate of anxiety yielded a summary prevalence of 41% (95% CI = 0.34-0.49), with statistically significant evidence of between-study heterogeneity (Q = 80801.97, I2 = 100%, p ≤ 0.0001). A subgroup analysis reported anxiety prevalence in Asia as 33% (95% CI:0.25-0.43), the prevalence of anxiety in Europe as 51% (95% CI: 0.44-0.59), and the highest prevalence of anxiety in the USA as 56% (95% CI: 0.44-0.67). A subgroup gender-based analysis reported the prevalence of anxiety in females as 43% (95% CI:0.29-0.58) compared to males with an anxiety prevalence of 39% (95% CI:0.29-0.50). University students seem to have a high prevalence of anxiety, indicating an increased mental health burden during this pandemic.
| S-EPMC8750929 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This study explored how university students remained motivated to learn, despite all the limitations they encountered and endured during the COVID-19 pandemic. This work was carried out in Indonesia, but the benefits are beyond a state boundary. The study examines how university students in developing countries have faced obstacles, and yet despite this, they are still trying their hardest to stay focused on achieving their personal goals during the pandemic. This research employed a qualitative phenomenological approach, involving eighty students that were studying at the Faculty of Education at a state university in Jakarta, Indonesia. As data collection techniques, students were asked to write learning log diaries and reflective essays and to participate in an online focus group discussion. The results showed that the students' motivation to remain learning during the COVID-19 pandemic fell into three key themes, each with associated sub-themes. The three themes and sub-themes described were: (a) personal, with sub-themes of challenge, curiosity, self-determination, satisfaction and religious commitment; (b) social, with sub-themes of relationships, inspiration, and well-being of self and others; and (c) environmental, with sub-themes of facilities and conditioning. The themes and sub-themes indicate the source of motivation for these university students to learn during the pandemic. This study concluded that these emerging adults were both intrinsically and extrinsically autonomously motivated and committed to their studies. Most of these students were motivated by their consequential aspirations, not by a controlled motivation, nor were they motivated by a reward, a penalty, or a rule that propelled them. By defining how the students managed to empower themselves, this study recommends the importance of preparing students to be more resilient and to enable them to cultivate the ability to remain optimistic and motivated to succeed and overcome any of life's adversities.
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Project description:BackgroundStudents in higher education commonly experience mental health problems. There is an ongoing need to explore potential intervention targets to focus on mental health promotion among students. Hopefulness may alleviate or be protective against various negative mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, suicide, and trauma-related disorders.ObjectiveTo explore postsecondary students' meanings and experiences of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify factors affecting hopefulness during crises.MethodsPurposive sampling was used to recruit participants for online semi-structured interviews in a university located in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsIn total, 12 participants were interviewed, and 4 themes were generated: (1) hope is a complex concept with an associated set of behaviors, (2) cognitive framing of hope as a means of student resilience, (3) COVID-19 as an antagonist which amplifies preexisting student concerns and issues, and (4) the social and physical environments serve as barriers and enablers to hope and well-being. Hope was perceived as a positive mental trait, external events and the environment were reported to impact hope, and those who were generally more hopeful adjusted better mentally when unexpected circumstances arose.ConclusionsFindings shed light on the interconnectedness and complex nature of hope, its sources, and enablers. Novel findings include the ways in which hope was affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations for individual- and community-based interventions include targeting enablers to hopefulness by promoting social support systems, offering virtual extracurricular activities, and delivering alternative approaches to teaching and learning.
| S-EPMC10366665 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The COVID-19 pandemic has created a sense of threat, and stress that has surged globally at an alarming pace. University students were confronted with new challenges. This study examined university students’ functional difficulties and concerns during COVID-19 pandemic in two countries: Israel and Ukraine. Additionally, it examined the similarities and differences in prediction of COVID-related concerns in both countries. Two large samples of university students were drawn from both countries. Results showed that students’ main functional difficulties in both countries were: worries about their family health status and their learning assignments. In both countries, COVID-related functional difficulties and stress associated with exposure to the media added a significant amount of the explained variance of COVID-related concerns after controlling for background variables. In conclusion—while the level of exposure and difficulties may differ by country and context, their associations with students’ concerns seem robust. Additionally, repeated exposure to media coverage about a community threat can lead to increased anxiety.
| S-EPMC7540431 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, a disease caused by Sars-CoV-2, has become a worldwide stressor, especially as it represents a new viral infection, which spreads quickly and easily, without prior knowledge about vaccination, and absence, to this moment, of a medication that is totally effective against the disease. Objective: The aim of this observational study was to provide a general evaluation, through a questionnaire applied to students in the health field of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, on the psychological impacts and behavioral changes generated by the COVID-19 pandemic on oral health, especially the triggering or exacerbation of bruxism and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Methods: In order to verify the impacts of the pandemic on the health of UFRJ healthcare students, a non-randomized survey was performed with 370 students. Results: It was found that 72% of the students had their sleep routine altered, 65% had greater difficulty in keeping their spirits up, there was a statistically significant increase in emotional stress, headaches, and daytime teeth clenching. Conclusion: It was possible to conclude that the outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in psychological, physiological and behavioral impacts on students.
| S-EPMC8915617 | biostudies-literature