ABSTRACT
This study investigated the reliability and factorial validity of General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) in the context of university students in Bangladesh. The research aimed to assess whether the original one-dimensional model or a model containing both somatic and cognitive-emotional factors is appropriate. A repeated cross-sectional survey design based on convenience sampling was used to collect data from 677 university students. The factor structure of the GAD-7 was assessed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and its convergent validity was determined by investigating its correlations with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety-Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS). Results showed excellent reliability of GAD-7 as measured by Cronbach's α. CFA suggested that a modified one-factor model is appropriate for the sample. This model provided high values of comparative fit index (CFI), goodness of fit index (GFI), and Tucker Lewis Index (TLI), low value of standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) and a non-significant root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA). Correlation between GAD-7 and PHQ-9 was 0.751 and 0.934 between GAD-7 and PHQ-ADS. Overall, the study provided support for modified unidimensional structure for GAD-7 and showed high internal consistency along with good convergent validity.
Subject(s)
Anxiety Disorders/diagnosis , Anxiety Disorders/psychology , Patient Health Questionnaire , Psychometrics/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Bangladesh , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/diagnosis , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/psychology , Reproducibility of Results , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/diagnosis , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Students/psychology , Universities , Young AdultABSTRACT
Background COVID-19 has significantly affected the mental health of students. However, in the context of Bangladesh, no study has explored whether students from public and private universities have been affected differently. Therefore, the aim of the study is to focus on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and co-morbidity among both types of university students and identify their potential correlates. Methods The study used convenience sampling to collect data from 333 university students. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to assess depression and anxiety respectively along with co-morbidity. Descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to examine the association of variables. Results Among public university students, 59.16% had depression, 53.99% had anxiety and 46.95% had co-morbidity ranging from moderate to severe level. 30.83%, 33.33% and 24.17% of the private university students showed moderate to severe levels of depression, anxiety, and co-morbidity respectively. Overall, female students, students enrolled in third and fourth year, living in nuclear families, and students who spent less time with family reported having higher level of depression, anxiety, and co-morbidity. Limitations Due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, we were unable to make causal inferences. Also, data collected through snowball-sampling were prone to selection bias. Conclusions COVID-19 pandemic imposes a greater burden on mental health of students with different socioeconomic characteristics and university type. Therefore, psychological intervention designs should address these differences.