Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of psychological health problems in Chinese adolescents during the outbreak of COVID-19

Abstract

Psychological health problems, especially emotional disorders, are common among adolescents. The epidemiology of emotional disorders is greatly influenced by stressful events. This study sought to assess the prevalence rate and socio-demographic correlates of depressive and anxiety symptoms among Chinese adolescents affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. We conducted a cross-sectional study among Chinese students aged 12-18 years during the COVID-19 epidemic period. An online survey was used to conduct rapid assessment. A total of 8079 participants were involved in the study. An online survey was used to collect demographic data, assess students' awareness of COVID-19, and assess depressive and anxiety symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire, respectively. The prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and a combination of depressive and anxiety symptoms was 43.7%, 37.4%, and 31.3%, respectively, among Chinese high school students during the COVID-19 outbreak. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender was the higher risk factor for depressive and anxiety symptoms. In terms of grades, senior high school was a risk factor for depressive and anxiety symptoms; the higher the grade, the greater the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Our findings show there is a high prevalence of psychological health problems among adolescents, which are negatively associated with the level of awareness of COVID-19. These findings suggest that the government needs to pay more attention to psychological health among adolescents while combating COVID-19.

Mental Health Problems and Related Factors in Chinese University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…There is now su cient evidence to state that the female gender is a reliable risk factor for depressive and anxiety symptoms [5,17,32,35]. The gender difference was veri ed in our study.…”

Anxiety and Depression Symptoms of Patients in Fangcang Shelter Hospital During the COVID-19 Outbreak in China: a Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…Based on P < 0.10 as screening covariates, family member con rmed COVID-19(χ 2 = 3.334, P = 0.068), number of current physical symptoms(χ 2 = 18.760, P < 0.001), symptoms change after hospitalization(χ 2 = 5.952, P = 0.051), poor sleep quality(χ 2 = 5.449, P = 0.020)were related factors of anxiety symptom, please refer to Table 1; Gender(χ 2 = 17.169, P < 0.001), education level(χ 2 = 5.264, P = 0.072), smoking history(χ 2 = 4.039, P = 0.044), drinking history(χ 2 = 3.024 P = 0.082), family member con rmed COVID-19(χ 2 = 4.707, P = 0.030), number of current physical symptoms(χ 2 = 14.812, P < 0.001), Symptoms change after hospitalization(χ 2 = 4.696 P = 0.096), Poor sleep quality(χ 2 = 4.696, P = 0.046) were the related factors of depression symptom, please refer to Table 1. (7,12). By using Spearman correlation tests, PSQI scores were signi cant positively associate with SAS scores(r = 0.177, P = 0.002)) and SDS scores(r = 0.327, P 0.001).…”

“…Results from prospective studies consistently indicate psychological distress as a predictor for future health and disease outcomes [5]. As other infectious diseases, Preliminary evidence suggests that COVID-19 has also caused public panic and mental health stress; symptoms of anxiety and depression are common psychological reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic, and may be associated with socio-demographic, sleep quality [6][7][8][9]. However, previous studies focused mainly on the mental health of the COVID-19 epidemic among the general population, medical staff, and individuals in self isolation [10].…”

Effects of Covid-19 confinement on the mental health of children and adolescents in Spain

“…In this regard, the data in China indicate that the consequences on the levels of depression during quarantine were greater in teenagers than in adults 2,3 .…”