<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The COVID-19 pandemic, which has spread across the world, has made an impact on every student’s ordinary life and mental health, from studying conditions, internship, employment to freedom of movement. This was a cross-sectional study where Latvian university and college students were asked to fill the self-report online questionnaire developed as part of an international study. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and investigate clinical depression, distress and identify the predicting factors. Depression and distress were determined using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) with a previously developed algorithm and cut-off scores. The statistical analysis included the Pearson’s chi-square test and binomial logistic regression. The study included 1047 students. The prevalence of distress was 18% (n =188) and prevalence of depression was 33.8% (n = 354). Depression was more common among women — 35.9 % (n = 298). Risk factors for depression were poor quality of sleep (OR = 8.31), unemployment (OR = 1.42), excessive internet usage (OR = 7.17), thoughts about death (OR = 12.14), and suicidal behaviour (OR = 4.99). Physical activities operated as a protective measure to prevent depression. This study potentially could help to develop a plan in the future for dealing with psychological support for the student population.</p>
</abstract>

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has spread across the world, has made an impact on every student’s ordinary life and mental health, from studying conditions, internship, employment to freedom of movement. This was a cross-sectional study where Latvian university and college students were asked to fill the self-report online questionnaire developed as part of an international study. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and investigate clinical depression, distress and identify the predicting factors. Depression and distress were determined using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) with a previously developed algorithm and cut-off scores. The statistical analysis included the Pearson’s chi-square test and binomial logistic regression. The study included 1047 students. The prevalence of distress was 18% (n =188) and prevalence of depression was 33.8% (n = 354). Depression was more common among women — 35.9 % (n = 298). Risk factors for depression were poor quality of sleep (OR = 8.31), unemployment (OR = 1.42), excessive internet usage (OR = 7.17), thoughts about death (OR = 12.14), and suicidal behaviour (OR = 4.99). Physical activities operated as a protective measure to prevent depression. This study potentially could help to develop a plan in the future for dealing with psychological support for the student population.

Prevalence of Distress and Depression and Related Health and Behavioural Factors in the Student Population of Latvia During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Department of Psychiatry, Narcology, Psychotherapy and Clinical Psychology

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has spread across the world, has made an impact on every student’s ordinary life and mental health, from studying conditions,...

Prevalence of Distress and Depression and Related Health and Behavioural Factors in the Student Population of Latvia During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Published Online: Mar 09, 2023

Page range: 15 - 23

Received: Mar 16, 2022

Accepted: Sep 06, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2023-0002

Keywords
mental health, pandemic, lockdown, anxiety, predictors

© 2023 Jūlija Vorobjova et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Prevalence of Distress and Depression and Related Health and Behavioural Factors in the Student Population of Latvia During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Published Online: Mar 09, 2023

Page range: 15 - 23

Received: Mar 16, 2022

Accepted: Sep 06, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2023-0002

Keywordsmental health, pandemic, lockdown, anxiety, predictors

© 2023 Jūlija Vorobjova et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
mental health, pandemic, lockdown, anxiety, predictors