Depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour among college students: Comparisons pre-COVID-19 and during the pandemic
Background: Many students struggle with psychological problems during their college years. These problems may be even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic with the accompanying restrictions and transition to an online learning environment, but few longitudinal studies have been conducted to da...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Psychiatry Research Communications |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277259872100012X |
| _version_ | 1818943448066031616 |
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| author | Margaret McLafferty Natasha Brown Rachel McHugh Caoimhe Ward Ailis Stevenson Louise McBride John Brady Anthony J. Bjourson Siobhan M. O'Neill Colum P. Walsh Elaine K. Murray |
| author_facet | Margaret McLafferty Natasha Brown Rachel McHugh Caoimhe Ward Ailis Stevenson Louise McBride John Brady Anthony J. Bjourson Siobhan M. O'Neill Colum P. Walsh Elaine K. Murray |
| author_sort | Margaret McLafferty |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Many students struggle with psychological problems during their college years. These problems may be even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic with the accompanying restrictions and transition to an online learning environment, but few longitudinal studies have been conducted to date. The aim of this study was to compare symptoms of depression, anxiety and suicidality prior to and during the pandemic, and identify stressors. Methods: This study was conducted among students attending Ulster University, Northern Ireland (NI) and LYIT, Republic of Ireland (ROI), as part of the World Mental Health International College Student Initiative (WMH-ICS). Data was collected from first year students in September 2019. The completed response rate was 25.22% (NI) and 41.9% (ROI) in relation to the number of first-year students registered. A follow up study was conducted in Autumn 2020, with 884 students fully completing the online survey in both years, equating to just under half of those who completed initially. Results: High levels of mental health problems were found in year 1, especially in the ROI. Levels of depression increased significantly in year 2, particularly among students in NI, however, levels of anxiety decreased. No significant variations were found for suicidal behaviour. Several stressors were revealed, including increased social isolation, and worrying about loved ones. Limitations: The findings may not be generalised to other student populations. Conclusions: This study reveals variation in symptoms of depression and anxiety since the onset of the pandemic. In particular, the large increase in students with depression is of concern. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T07:27:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2cf68da06fa54dc398bcfe97466a5aff |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2772-5987 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T07:27:29Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Psychiatry Research Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-2cf68da06fa54dc398bcfe97466a5aff2022-12-21T19:48:30ZengElsevierPsychiatry Research Communications2772-59872021-12-0112100012Depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour among college students: Comparisons pre-COVID-19 and during the pandemicMargaret McLafferty0Natasha Brown1Rachel McHugh2Caoimhe Ward3Ailis Stevenson4Louise McBride5John Brady6Anthony J. Bjourson7Siobhan M. O'Neill8Colum P. Walsh9Elaine K. Murray10Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, C-TRIC, Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, Londonderry, UKLetterkenny Institute of Technology, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, IrelandSchool of Psychology, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus, Coleraine, Co. Derry, UKNorthern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, C-TRIC, Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, Londonderry, UKNorthern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, C-TRIC, Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, Londonderry, UKLetterkenny Institute of Technology, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, IrelandWestern Health and Social Care Trust, Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, UKNorthern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, C-TRIC, Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, Londonderry, UKSchool of Psychology, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus, Coleraine, Co. Derry, UKGenomics Medicine Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus, Coleraine, Co. Derry, UK; Centre for Research and Development, Region Gävleborg/Uppsala University, Gävle, SwedenNorthern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, C-TRIC, Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, Londonderry, UK; Corresponding author.Background: Many students struggle with psychological problems during their college years. These problems may be even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic with the accompanying restrictions and transition to an online learning environment, but few longitudinal studies have been conducted to date. The aim of this study was to compare symptoms of depression, anxiety and suicidality prior to and during the pandemic, and identify stressors. Methods: This study was conducted among students attending Ulster University, Northern Ireland (NI) and LYIT, Republic of Ireland (ROI), as part of the World Mental Health International College Student Initiative (WMH-ICS). Data was collected from first year students in September 2019. The completed response rate was 25.22% (NI) and 41.9% (ROI) in relation to the number of first-year students registered. A follow up study was conducted in Autumn 2020, with 884 students fully completing the online survey in both years, equating to just under half of those who completed initially. Results: High levels of mental health problems were found in year 1, especially in the ROI. Levels of depression increased significantly in year 2, particularly among students in NI, however, levels of anxiety decreased. No significant variations were found for suicidal behaviour. Several stressors were revealed, including increased social isolation, and worrying about loved ones. Limitations: The findings may not be generalised to other student populations. Conclusions: This study reveals variation in symptoms of depression and anxiety since the onset of the pandemic. In particular, the large increase in students with depression is of concern.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277259872100012XDepressionAnxietySuicidalityCollege studentsPandemic |
| spellingShingle | Margaret McLafferty Natasha Brown Rachel McHugh Caoimhe Ward Ailis Stevenson Louise McBride John Brady Anthony J. Bjourson Siobhan M. O'Neill Colum P. Walsh Elaine K. Murray Depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour among college students: Comparisons pre-COVID-19 and during the pandemic Psychiatry Research Communications Depression Anxiety Suicidality College students Pandemic |
| title | Depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour among college students: Comparisons pre-COVID-19 and during the pandemic |
| title_full | Depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour among college students: Comparisons pre-COVID-19 and during the pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour among college students: Comparisons pre-COVID-19 and during the pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour among college students: Comparisons pre-COVID-19 and during the pandemic |
| title_short | Depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour among college students: Comparisons pre-COVID-19 and during the pandemic |
| title_sort | depression anxiety and suicidal behaviour among college students comparisons pre covid 19 and during the pandemic |
| topic | Depression Anxiety Suicidality College students Pandemic |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277259872100012X |
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