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Mental health in times of pandemic from the perspective of professors and students

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Bibliographic Details
Summary:Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic brought profound societal changes and disruptions, including in the education system, which underwent swift modifications. It presented unique challenges for both professors and students, contributing to an increase in the prevalence of mental health-related symptoms. Objective: To determine the prevalence of mental health disorders symptoms, coping strategies, and concerns among students (≥18 years) and professors at different times during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was an online cross-sectional study (Student: N = 6,609; Phase 1 = 3,325; Phase 2 = 1,402; Phase 3 = 1,882; Professor: N = 9,096; Phase 1 = 3,924; Phase 2 = 2,223; Phase 3 = 2,949). Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Impact of Event Scale-revised (IES-R), and BriefCOPE inventory were used. The probability of presenting the symptoms was calculated by multiple logistic regression and odds ratio (OR). Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and distress symptoms among students and professors was high (≥59.5% and ≥ 33.5%, respectively). Students, women, and those diagnosed with a mental disorder were more likely to have symptoms or distress. In the face of the pandemic, professors used more adaptive coping strategies than students. Health was the focus of professors’ concerns, while for students, future and labor market uncertainty were concerns derived from the health core. Conclusion: The results point to the need to strengthen psychosocial support for both professors and students.
Main Authors:Campos, Juliana Alvares Duarte Bonini
Other Authors:Campos, Lucas Arrais; Ramos De Azevedo, Maria Antonia; Martins, Bianca Gonzalez; Silva, Bianca Núbia Souza; Marôco, J. P.
Year:2024
Country:Portugal
Document type:article
Access type:open access
Associated institution:Ispa-Instituto Universitário
Language:English
Origin:Repositório do Ispa - Instituto Universitário
Description
Summary:Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic brought profound societal changes and disruptions, including in the education system, which underwent swift modifications. It presented unique challenges for both professors and students, contributing to an increase in the prevalence of mental health-related symptoms. Objective: To determine the prevalence of mental health disorders symptoms, coping strategies, and concerns among students (≥18 years) and professors at different times during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was an online cross-sectional study (Student: N = 6,609; Phase 1 = 3,325; Phase 2 = 1,402; Phase 3 = 1,882; Professor: N = 9,096; Phase 1 = 3,924; Phase 2 = 2,223; Phase 3 = 2,949). Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Impact of Event Scale-revised (IES-R), and BriefCOPE inventory were used. The probability of presenting the symptoms was calculated by multiple logistic regression and odds ratio (OR). Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and distress symptoms among students and professors was high (≥59.5% and ≥ 33.5%, respectively). Students, women, and those diagnosed with a mental disorder were more likely to have symptoms or distress. In the face of the pandemic, professors used more adaptive coping strategies than students. Health was the focus of professors’ concerns, while for students, future and labor market uncertainty were concerns derived from the health core. Conclusion: The results point to the need to strengthen psychosocial support for both professors and students.

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