Factors associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress post-COVID-19, in university students: a cross-sectional study, Minas Gerais, 2023-2024.
To identify the prevalence and factors associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among university students in Minas Gerais after the COVID-19 pandemic.
A cross-sectional study was conducted with students from four federal universities in Minas Gerais. Data collection was carried out online. To identify associated factors, a structured questionnaire was administered, encompassing sociodemographic, clinical, and academic variables, as well as the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). To determine the risk and protective factors associated with the investigated symptoms, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, with a 5% significance level.
A total of 2,333 students participated in the study, comprising 75.6% (n=1,764) females and 24.4% (n=569) males, aged 18 to 62 years. The prevalence of symptoms was 77.2% (n=1,802) for depression, 76.8% (n=1,790) for anxiety, and 77.3% (n=1,803) for stress. Identified risk factors for all three outcomes were female sex (p-value<0.050), overload with academic routine after the pandemic (p-value<0.001), and the impact of the pandemic on academic performance (p-value<0.001) and future professional outlook (p-value<0.001). Family income equal to or above four minimum wages was a protective factor against symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (p-value<0.001). Receiving a student scholarship was specifically a protective factor for symptoms of anxiety (p-value 0.046).
A large proportion of university students in Minas Gerais presented symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress after the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of psychosocial policies and interventions grounded in the identified protective factors is necessary.
A cross-sectional study was conducted with students from four federal universities in Minas Gerais. Data collection was carried out online. To identify associated factors, a structured questionnaire was administered, encompassing sociodemographic, clinical, and academic variables, as well as the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). To determine the risk and protective factors associated with the investigated symptoms, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, with a 5% significance level.
A total of 2,333 students participated in the study, comprising 75.6% (n=1,764) females and 24.4% (n=569) males, aged 18 to 62 years. The prevalence of symptoms was 77.2% (n=1,802) for depression, 76.8% (n=1,790) for anxiety, and 77.3% (n=1,803) for stress. Identified risk factors for all three outcomes were female sex (p-value<0.050), overload with academic routine after the pandemic (p-value<0.001), and the impact of the pandemic on academic performance (p-value<0.001) and future professional outlook (p-value<0.001). Family income equal to or above four minimum wages was a protective factor against symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (p-value<0.001). Receiving a student scholarship was specifically a protective factor for symptoms of anxiety (p-value 0.046).
A large proportion of university students in Minas Gerais presented symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress after the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of psychosocial policies and interventions grounded in the identified protective factors is necessary.
Authors
Moura Moura, Toledo Toledo, Nogueira Nogueira, Boscarol Boscarol, Chaves Chaves, Marinho Marinho, Rodrigues Rodrigues, Santana Santana, Alves Alves, Lourenço Lourenço, Chaves Chaves, Chianca Chianca
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