Title
Prevalence and Associations between Anxiety, Depression, and Stress among Peruvian University Students during the covid-19 Pandemic
Other title
Prevalencia y asociaciones de ansiedad, depresión y estrés en estudiantes universitarios peruanos durante la pandemia de covid-19 Prevalência e associações de ansiedade, depressão e estresse em estudantes universitários peruanos durante a pandemia de covid-19
Date Issued
01 September 2022
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Publisher(s)
Universidad del Rosario
Abstract
Introduction: The pandemic has brought about social changes, which may have affected mental health. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of and associations between anxiety, depression, and stress among Peruvian university students during the covid-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This was an analytical, multi-centered, cross-sectional study conducted with 2,572 university students from 16 Peruvian cities. Depression, anxiety, and stress diagnoses were obtained with the dass-21 scale (stress alpha: 0.85; anxiety alpha: 0.84; and depression alpha: 0.87). The values were crossed with significant social and educational variables. Results: Anxiety was the most common condition (extremely severe in 4%, severe in 3%, and moderate in 10%). Whereas stress and depression were not associated with the course of studies (p > 0.330 and p > 0.440, respectively), anxiety was lower among students pursuing health-related degrees (p = 0.011). Women showed higher levels of stress (p = 0.040) and anxiety (p = 0.017). Older participants had relatively lower stress (p = 0.002), depression (p = 0.006), and anxiety (p = 0.044) levels. Third-year students had higher depression levels than first-year students (p = 0.011). Conclusions: Significant prevalence levels and associations were identified for the three conditions, which should be monitored to determine their current status, given the possible future occurrence of panic attacks or post-traumatic stress, among other complications.
Start page
1
End page
14
Volume
20
Issue
3
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Epidemiología Educación general (incluye capacitación, pedadogía) Psicología (incluye relaciones hombre-máquina)
Publication version
Version of Record
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85137758637
Source
Revista Ciencias de la Salud
ISSN of the container
1692-7273
Sources of information: Directorio de ProducciĂłn CientĂ­fica Scopus