ABSTRACT
Background: The university years are associated with a variety of stressors, and recently, COVID-19 has presented an additional burden on students' mental well-being. As mental health manifestations of stressors may differ between countries, this study compared students from Switzerland and the Republic of Georgia regarding the burden of stressors and the role of potentially culture-dependent risk and protective factors of mental health (i.e., help-seeking, cross-cultural coping, fatalism, sense of coherence). Method: We assessed two samples of university students in Georgia (N = 425) and German-speaking Switzerland (N = 298), using a cross-sectional design. Quantitative data were collected with online questionnaires during the third wave of the pandemic. Mental health screenings included measures of depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder. Results: General life- and COVID-19-related stress levels were higher in Georgia than in Switzerland. Georgian students experienced more adjustment disorder symptoms but lower levels of depression and anxiety. While Swiss students reported more protective factors (formal and informal help-seeking, sense of coherence), Georgian students experienced more risk factors (fatalism and avoidance coping). Despite significant correlations between potentially culture-dependent risk and protective factors and mental health, few associations remained significant above and beyond the impact of general life stress. Conclusions: The high prevalence of stressors and adjustment disorder symptoms and risk factors for mental health among Georgian students illustrates a potential need for psychosocial support with stress management. The cross-cultural applicability of Western models of student mental health services should be evaluated. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement The agenda of global mental health calls for addressing prevention and quality gaps, although achieving this aim is not possible if the divergent needs of specific populations, among them young people, are not studied and considered. This study explores the mental health stressors and needs of university students and compares Swiss and Georgian students' potentially culture-dependent risk and protective factors. Needs-based tailored interventions could be developed based on the findings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Background: To examine changes in COVID-19 stressors and symptoms of mental disorders in the Republic of Georgia. Methods: A longitudinal design was used. Following on from our study of May-June 2020, this follow-up study in January-March 2021 was conducted at: (i)an individual level with the same respondents involved in the May-June 2020 study (repeat responders/cohort); and (ii) at a population-wide level, using non-probabilistic sampling. Questionnaire sections covered: (i)demographic, socio-economic characteristics; (ii)level of burden caused by COVID-19-related stressors/concern; and (iii)symptoms of anxiety(GAD-7), depression(PHQ-9), PTSD(ITQ), adjustment disorder(ADNM8). Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were conducted. Results: Among population-level survey respondents(N=1195), the probability of reporting mental ill health symptoms increased in 2021 compared to 2020 for PTSD(OR1.82), depression(OR1.40), adjustment disorder(OR 1.80), and marginally for anxiety(OR1.17). For the individual repeat respondents(N=455), the probability increased for depression(OR1.88) and adjustment disorder(OR2.56). The perceived burden of pandemic concern worsened in 2021 compared to 2020 for almost all stressors, particularly around access to health care, infecting others, and conflict in the home. PTSD was associated with an increased concern score from 2020 to 2021. Conclusion: Our study highlights the need to strengthen response strategies to address the elevated mental health needs related to COVID-19 in Georgia. It recommends increasing accessibility of early interventions and the need to modernise mental health services to strengthen access to care. It also calls for monitoring patterns of mental health disorders for better understanding and responses to mental health needs in Georgia.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Early evidence indicates increased mental health burden arising from COVID-19 and related control measures. The study aim was to examine concern about COVID-19 and its association with symptoms of mental disorders in the Republic of Georgia. A cross-sectional internet-based survey of adults in Georgia using non-probabilistic sampling was used. Questionnaire topics were: (i) demographic and socio-economic characteristics; (ii) level of burden caused by common causes of COVID-19 related concerns; (iii) strategies used in response to concerns about COVID-19; and (iv) symptoms of mental disorders of anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), PTSD (ITQ) and adjustment disorder (ADNM8). Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS: There were 2088 respondents. High levels of symptoms for mental disorders were observed for anxiety (23.9% women, 21.0% men), depression (30.3% women, 25.27% men), PTSD (11.8% women, and 12.5% men), and adjustment disorder (40.7% women, 31.0% men). Factors significantly associated with increased COVID-19 concern included bad/very bad household economic situation, larger household size, current NCD, symptoms of anxiety, adjustment disorder and PTSD. Response strategies significantly associated with reduced mental disorder symptoms included meditation and relaxation exercises, physical exercise, positive thinking, planning for the future, TV/radio, housework/DIY, and working. Drinking alcohol was associated with a greater probability of increased mental disorder symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of mental disorders were recorded, and they were strongly associated with increased concern about COVID-19. A number of response strategies were identified which may help protect against worse mental health and these could be supported by innovations in mental health care in Georgia.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Anxiety/etiology , COVID-19/psychology , Depression/etiology , Mental Health , Pandemics , Stress, Psychological/etiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Anxiety/therapy , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/therapy , Female , Georgia (Republic)/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the people in Europe are exposed to self-isolation, quarantine, job loss, risk of contracting COVID-19, or grief of loved ones. Such a complex array of stressors may lead to symptoms of adjustment disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder. This research protocol describes a study launched by the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on symptoms of adjustment disorder across European countries. OBJECTIVE: The longitudinal online cohort study aims (1) to explore psychosocial reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic across ten European countries; (2) to examine the relationships between risk and resilience factors, stressors and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the pandemic; and (3) to investigate whether these relationships are moderated by coping behaviours. METHOD: In ten countries (Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden), between 1,000 and 2,000 participants will be recruited, depending on the size of the country. Participants will be assessed at two timepoints with a six-month interval. Following a conceptual framework based on the WHO's social framework of health, an assessment of risk and resilience factors, COVID-19 related stressors and pandemic-specific coping behaviours will be measured to estimate their contribution to symptoms of adjustment disorder. The Adjustment Disorder New Module 8 (ADNM-8) will be used to assess symptoms of adjustment disorder. As a secondary measure, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder will be measure using the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5). DATA ANALYSIS: The relative contribution of risk factors, resilience factors, and stressors on symptoms of adjustment disorder or symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder will be estimated using multilevel analysis. To determine the moderating effects of different types of coping behaviours on these relationships, a multilevel mediation analysis will be carried out.
Antecedentes: Durante la actual pandemia de COVID-19, las personas en Europa están expuestas a autoaislamiento, cuarentena, pérdida de empleo, riesgo de contraer COVID-19 o duelo de sus seres queridos. Un conjunto tan complejo de factores estresantes puede provocar síntomas de trastorno de adaptación o trastorno de estrés postraumático. Este protocolo de investigación describe un estudio lanzado por la Sociedad Europea de Estudios de Estrés Traumático (ESTSS) para investigar el impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en los síntomas del trastorno de adaptación en países europeos.Objetivo: El estudio longitudinal de cohorte en línea tiene como objetivo (1) explorar las reacciones psicosociales a la pandemia de COVID-19 en diez países europeos; (2) examinar las relaciones entre los factores de riesgo y resiliencia, estresores y síntomas de trastorno de adaptación durante la pandemia; e (3) investigar si estas relaciones son moderadas por comportamientos de afrontamiento.Método: En diez países (Austria, Croacia, Georgia, Alemania, Italia, Lituania, Países Bajos, Polonia, Portugal y Suecia) serán reclutados entre 1,000 y 2,000 participantes, dependiendo del tamaño del país. Los participantes serán evaluados en dos momentos con un intervalo de seis meses. Siguiendo un marco conceptual basado en el marco social de salud de la OMS, una evaluación de los factores de riesgo y resiliencia, factores estresantes relacionados con COVID-19 y el comportamiento de afrontamiento específico de la pandemia serán medidos para estimar su contribución a los síntomas de trastorno de adaptación. El nuevo módulo de trastorno de adaptación 8 (ADNM-8) se utilizará para medir los síntomas del trastorno de adaptación. Como medida secundaria, se evaluarán síntomas de trastorno de estrés postraumático usando el cribaje de TEPT en atención primaria para DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5).Análisis de datos: La contribución relativa de los factores de riesgo, factores de resiliencia y los estresores sobre los síntomas de trastorno de adaptación o síntomas de trastorno de estrés postraumático se estimará mediante análisis multinivel. Para determinar los efectos moderadores de diferentes tipos de conductas de afrontamiento en estas relaciones, se llevará a cabo un análisis de mediación multinivel.