An Investigation of Stress, Anxiety And Depression States of University Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: This study was planned to investigate the stress, anxiety, and depression states of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: This research was designed as a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The research population comprised individuals over 18 years of age, living in Turkey, who volunteered to participate in the study, and who were attending university. An online survey was introduced to 540 university students (sample). An introductory information form, developed by the research authors, was used in the study along with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: The majority of students were women (73.2%); undergraduate students comprised the majority of the sample (64.9%); more than half (54.8%) the participants were aged 20–21 years; more than 1/3 (34.6%) of the participants had a low or very low income level. The majority of the students (96.3%) stayed with their families during the pandemic, and one fifth lived in villages. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most university students reported depression (79.7%), anxiety (61.4%), and stress (68.6%). Gender, income, chronic disease, presence of an at-risk individual (persons with a chronic disease, a health worker etc.), lack of hope for the future, and feeling unwell after sleep were found to be those factors affecting the students’ depression, anxiety, and stress levels. A positive correlation was found between both stress and employment anxiety, and between future anxiety and depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has a significant psychosocial effect on university students.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• student
• depression
• anxiety
• stress

References

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