Introduction: Mental health problems have increased internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adolescents and their caregivers form a vulnerable group for the development of mental health problems. However, most data stems from high-income countries, and there is a clear lack of prevalence rates and potential risk factors from Balkan countries. No data is available on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in adolescents and their caregivers in North Macedonia. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on adolescents and their caregivers in a school setting in rural and urban areas of North Macedonia. Survey items assessed symptoms of depression, anxiety, and respondents’ fear of COVID-19, as well as a number of risk factors, such as gender and living environment. Results: 506 adolescents and 492 caregivers completed the survey. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were mild to moderate in adolescents and their caregivers. Women and girls generally scored higher than men and boys, and adolescents in high school scored higher than those in elementary school. Prevalence rates for depression were 29.2% for adolescents and 10.4% for caregivers, while rates of anxiety were 23.7% for adolescents and 6.1% for caregivers. Conclusion: This study provides a first insight into the mental health of adolescents and their caregivers after the COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia. Further research is required to investigate the relatively low rates of caregivers’ mental health problems compared to data from other countries.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the factor structure of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS‐21) among caregivers of young children in Southeastern Europe.BackgroundThe DASS‐21 is a widely used measure in prevention and intervention research with families. Studies regarding the scale's psychometric properties among caregivers, particularly from non‐Western countries, are limited and additional research is required.MethodThe DASS‐21 was administered to N = 835 primary caregivers from North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, and Romania. Competing models were tested with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Measurement invariance was assessed using multigroup CFA (MGCFA). Bifactor dimensionality and reliability indices were used to evaluate the validity of the composite and subscale scores.ResultsA tripartite bifactor model with two specific factors (depression and anxiety) and one general factor (negative affectivity) represented the data well. This model showed cross‐country configural and partial metric invariance. Dimensionality and reliability indices supported a unidimensional interpretation of the measure, with the general negative affectivity factor accounting for a substantial share of the variance (82%) compared to the specific factors of depression (10%) and anxiety (8%).ConclusionThe tripartite model best represented the data. Configural and partial metric invariance were verified for this model. Dimensionality and reliability indices, however, indicate that the DASS‐21 functions best as a general measure of negative affectivity.ImplicationsFuture intervention studies involving caregivers from Southeastern Europe should consider using the DASS‐21 as an overall measure of negative affectivity and utilize the composite score instead of the subscale scores.
IntroductionMental health problems have increased internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, most data stems from Western countries and there is a clear lack of prevalence rates and potential risk factors from Central and Eastern Europe.ObjectivesTo investigate the point prevalence and to provide further information on risk factors of depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents and their caregivers in North Macedonia after the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional survey study was conducted on adolescents and their caregivers through the school setting in different areas of North Macedonia. Survey items assessed symptoms of depression, anxiety, and respondents’ fear of COVID-19, as well as a number of risk factors, such as gender and living environment.Results506 adolescents and 492 caregivers completed the survey. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were mild to moderate in adolescents and their caregivers. Women and girls generally scored higher than men and boys, and adolescents in high school scored higher than those in elementary school. Prevalence rates for depression were 29.2% for adolescents and 10.4% for caregivers, while rates of anxiety were 23.7% for adolescents and 6.1% for caregivers.ConclusionsThis study provides a first insight into the mental health of adolescents and their caregivers after the COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia. Further research is required to investigate the relatively low reported rates of caregivers’ mental health problems compared to data from other countries.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
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