Gender-Based Analysis of the Association Between Mental Health, Sleep Quality, Aggression, and Physical Activity Among University Students During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Abstract

COVID-19 has spread throughout the world, resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, and negative psychological effects among general population. However, university students are particularly vulnerable in terms of mental health. The present study evaluated the association between mental health, quality of sleep, aggression, and physical activity in university students in Mexico after 1 year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, including a gender-sensitive analysis. Participants (935 university students) completed an online questionnaire which collected information regarding demographic data, psychological distress (IES-R scale), depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21), aggressiveness Buss-Perry Aggressive Questionnaire, sleep quality (PSQI) and physical activity (IPAQ-S). Findings showed that female students showed significantly higher scores in psychological distress, anxiety, stress scores and sleep quality, as compared to male students. By contrast, male students showed significantly higher scores on aggressiveness than female students. In addition, on physical activity, females performed significantly higher MET-min/week on moderate and high levels. Finally, liner regression model accounted for approximately 73.5% of the variance in DASS-21 scores, with the body mass index, IES-R, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and IPAQ subscales, emerging as significant individual (positive) predictors. Therefore, the pandemic affected female and male students differently. Female students reported more psychological distress, anxiety, and stress while male students reported higher aggressiveness. The differences observed may be due to physiological differences, the response to stress, and differences in sensitivity to life events.

Chinese College Students’ Physical-Exercise Behavior, Negative Emotions, and Their Correlation during the COVID-19 Outbreak

“…There were differences in depression and anxiety among college students of different sexes, with men scoring higher than women, while there were no differences in stress levels between men and women ( χ 2 = 16.862, p = 0.061). The differences in negative emotions between students of different sexes may be related to factors such as male and female students’ physiology, reaction to negative events, and sensitivity to life events [ 44 ]. A study by Vuelvas-Olmos showed that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on male and female students was different.…”

“…A study by Vuelvas-Olmos showed that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on male and female students was different. Female students reported more psychological distress (such as anxiety and stress), while male students reported higher aggression [ 44 ]. There were differences in depression and anxiety among college students of different grades, with the exercise level of first-grade students being higher than those of second- and third-grade students.…”

Prevalence of poor sleep quality in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…This might be related to the finding that women are more susceptible than men to stress-related conditions ( 79 , 80 ). A study conducted in Mexico found that the COVID-19 pandemic had different influences on women and men; for example, females reported more severe psychological distress, stress, and poorer sleep quality than males, probably related to the gender differences in response to stress, sensitivity to life events, and domestic and childcare responsibilities ( 81 , 82 ).…”

Calidad de sueño y síntomas de estrés en mujeres universitarias mexicanas durante la pandemia de covid-19

“…En consecuencia, se evidenciaron estados de ánimo negativos, cambios en las actitudes, pensamientos suicidas y sensaciones de vulnerabilidad, además de la presencia de síntomas de estrés, ansiedad, depresión y problemas de sueño en la población mexicana (Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia, 2020; González-Rivera et al, 2020;Ribot et al, 2020;Vázquez et al, 2020). Por consiguiente, se observó que los estudiantes universitarios constituyeron una población vulnerable y con mayor probabilidad de impacto en la salud mental, lo cual involucra múltiples estresores sobre cuestiones académicas y transiciones a la edad adulta (Vuelvas-Olmos et al, 2022).…”

“…La literatura internacional refiere que la mala calidad de sueño durante la pandemia de covid-19 se relacionó con problemas de salud mental (Robles et al, 2020;Vuelvas-Olmos et al, 2022). En China, una investigación con adolescentes y universitarios de edades entre 12 y 29 años encontró que, a raíz del confinamiento, los jóvenes universitarios tuvieron mayor probabilidad de una baja calidad de sueño, aumento de horas de sueño, al igual que el incremento en acostarse más tarde y trastornos de sueño.…”