Psychological Impact of the Lockdown Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in University Workers: Factors Related to Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

Abstract

This study aims to explore the psychological impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related lockdown in university workers, and to analyse the factors related to their levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 8–22 April 2020, 3.5 weeks after the COVID-19-related lockdown in Spain. We collected sociodemographic and occupational data, in addition to housing, work and health conditions. Coping strategies (Brief COPE-28); level of anxiety, stress, and depression (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales DASS-21); perception of the disease (COVID-19) (Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire BIPQ); and perceived level of social support (Escala Multidimensional de Apoyo Social EMAS) were measured. Multiple linear regression models were fitted to explore the factors related to the level of anxiety, depression, and stress. The sample included 677 subjects. Higher scores in depression, anxiety, and stress occurred among females, younger subjects, administration and service workers; and subjects with a smaller home, as well as those with worse health status, worse quality of sleep, and dysfunctional coping strategies. The COVID-19-related lockdown had a great impact on the mental health of university workers. The participants with specific sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, clinical disorders, and dysfunctional coping strategies were more at risk.

Prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety and stress among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Herat, Afghanistan

“…Our founding indicated that female was significantly associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress, which is in accordance with the findings of many other studies around the world. 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 However, it should be noted that females were also susceptible to higher levels of depression even before the pandemic. 37 …”

“… 9 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 Additionally, these studies have also examined factors associated with mental illnesses in COVID-19 patients. Limited access to health care, having pre-existing comorbidities, general health, 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 employment and economic status, 19 , 20 , 21 marital status, 15 , 16 , 22 being female, 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 and education 20 , 28 , 29 have been identified as associated factors of depression, anxiety and stress in COVID-19 patients in general population.…”

Medical students’ crisis-induced stress and the association with social support

“…Therefore, it is possible that a lack of club membership also reflects a lower socioeconomic status, which in turn negatively affects self-reported health [46]. In line, during the COVID-19 outbreak it was found that university workers living in smaller homes reported higher levels of anxiety-depression-and stress symptoms [47]. Also, for college students during the COVID-19 outbreak, economic disadvantage was associated with higher stress levels [48].…”

The Future Looks Good: Examining the Associations Between Coping, Psychological Distress, and Optimism

“…Past research shows that psychological distress experienced in the work context may be negatively related to well-being and quality of life and these findings have been observed in a variety of work activities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, such as health caregivers ( Lenzo et al, 2021 ), undergraduate students ( Mishra et al, 2021 ), and teaching and administration personnel ( Salazar et al, 2021 ).…”