Associations and predictors of psychological distress among students following disruption of academic activities by strikes embarked by university workers in Nigeria public universities

Year 2024, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 65 - 75, 29.04.2024

Patrick Ewah , Idoo Womboh , Peter Agba Awhen , Felicia Agbor- Obun Dan

https://doi.org/10.53811/ijtcmr.1354228

Abstract

Objective
Psychological distress is experienced to be heightened among students during health distress and the disruption of academic activities by strikes. This study sought to determine the associating and predicting factors of anxiety and depression among university students following the disruption of academic activities by strikes.
Material-Method
This cross-sectional face-to-face and online study conveniently recruited a total of 317 students aged 15-51 years. The student's socio-demographic, socioeconomic, physical characteristics, and psychological distress were assessed using a structured questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and General Anxiety Disorder–7 (GAD-7). Data analysis consists of descriptive statistics, Pearson's Chi-square test, and Logistic regression, at a significant level of p<0.05.
Results
Student category χ2 (1, n = 110) = 7.928, p = 0.005 Vs χ2 (1, n = 201) = 27.282, p = 0.000, marital status χ2 (1, n = 4) = 4.696, p = 0.030 Vs χ2 (1, n = 10) = 8.382, p = 0.004, steady family income χ2 (1, n = 31) = 11.846, p = 0.001 Vs χ2 (1, n = 68) = 14.049, p = 0.000, lost interest χ2 (1, n = 77) = 7.676, p = 0.006 Vs χ2 (1, n = 136) = 16.500, p = 0.000, and contemplating dropping out of school χ2 (1, n = 44) = 6.764, p = 0.009 Vs χ2 (1, n = 74) = 10.213, p = 0.001 were significantly associated with depression and anxiety. Steady family income was a predictor for both anxiety (OR = 0.518, 95% CI= 0.285-0.942, p = 0.031) and depression (OR =0.501, 95% CI= 0.291-0.864, p = 0.013). Student category (OR =3.545, 95% CI= 1.260-9.976, p = 0.017), leaving home (OR = 2.182, 95% CI= 1.199-3.973, p = 0.011), lost interest in my studies (OR = 2.407, 95% CI= 1.267-4.575, p = 0.007) and frequency of exercise (OR = 0.419 95% CI= 0.186-0.944, p = 0.036) also predict anxiety.
Conclusion
Overall, strike causes negative effects on the psychological states of students with some factors standing out in deteriorating the psychological states. Lack of steady family income, low frequency of exercise, loss of interest, contemplating dropping out of school, and leaving home were outstanding predicting and associating factors of depression and anxiety.

Keywords

psychological distress, anxiety, post-COVID, strike, depression, physical activity

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