The Ongoing Mental Health Plight of Depressed College Students: Clinical Recommendations and the Importance of Early Screening and Detection.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of college students. The psychological distress from the pandemic increased risk for provisional rates of Major Depression Disorder (MDD) during an already crucial developmental period. Using an online survey, participants were assessed for a provisional diagnosis of MDD using a validated screening tool, along with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and psychosocial correlates. Findings showed a significant increase in the prevalence of MDD, and significant differences in social support, loneliness, substance use, GAD and suicidality were identified. Early screening and detection for potential MDD symptoms can reduce the severity, duration, and reoccurrence of future MDD episodes for college students.

Generalized anxiety disorder in college students during the covid-19 pandemic: The importance of screening and early detection during traumatic stressor events

Objective: This study examined provisional prevalence rates of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) along with psychosocial correlates among U.S. college students during the first year of the pandemic. Participants: There were 1,793 undergraduate college student participants recruited from a public university. Methods:Using the Patient Health Questionnaire for GAD (GAD-7), a provisional diagnosis of GAD was determined and participants with GAD (N = 347;19.4%) and without GAD (N = 1446;80.6%) were compared on stress, coping, loneliness, individual strength, pandemic concerns, and substance use behaviors. Results:Students with GAD symptomology reported significantly higher rates of perceived stress, greater loneliness, more fatigue, and more pandemic-related concerns. Further, those with GAD had a significant increase in substance use behaviors. Conclusions: It is important for college mental health providers to be aware of GAD symptomology among college students, and to further recognize the importance of early screening and detection, especially during traumatic stressor events. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The Generation Gap Revisited: Generational Differences in Mental Health, Maladaptive Coping Behaviors, and Pandemic-Related Concerns During the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic.

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in mental health symptoms, pandemic-related concerns, and maladaptive coping behaviors among adults in the United States across generations during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic. A social media campaign was used to recruit 2696 U.S. individuals to participate in an online survey in April 2020, assessing various validated psychosocial factors, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), perceived stress, loneliness, quality of life, and fatigue, along with pandemic-specific concerns and changes in alcohol use and substance use. Participants were grouped based on generation status (Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X, and Baby Boomer) and statistical comparisons were conducted based on demographics, psychosocial factors, pandemic-related concerns, and substance use. During the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the younger cohorts (Gen Z and Millennials) rated significantly worse on mental health indices, including major depression, GAD, perceived stress, loneliness, quality of life, and fatigue. Further, the participants in the Gen Z and Millennial generational groups exhibited greater increase in maladaptive coping with substance use, specifically alcohol use and increased use of sleep aids. Our results indicate that during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Gen Z and Millennial generational cohorts were considered a psychologically vulnerable population due to their mental health and maladaptive coping behaviors. Improving access to mental health resources during early stages of a pandemic is an emerging public health concern.

Pandemic-related work status is associated with self-reported increases in substance use

Abrupt changes in employment status associated with the COVID-19 pandemic can exacerbate maladaptive coping strategies—including substance use behavior. This online study assessed self-reported increases in substance use (alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and opioid pain medication) during the initial COVID-19 period, identifying how current employment status was associated with increases in substance use behavior. Individuals working from home and outside of home, and those unemployed due to the pandemic reported increases in alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use. Identifying work-status-related increases in substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic is necessary as it relates to uncertain economic impact and mitigating virus risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Pandemic-Specific Factors Related to Generalized Anxiety Disorder during the Initial COVID-19 Protocols in the United States.

Little is known about the psychological stress and secondary impacts emerging among the general U.S. population as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose for the current study is to assess the prevalence rates of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and to establish psychosocial correlates, pandemic-themed concerns, and other comorbidities for those with GAD at the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This online study included 2,101 U.S. adults between April 14-22, 2020, during the initial stay-at-home protocols and assessed GAD, psychosocial factors, and pandemic-related factors including concerns, changes in health behaviors, and adherence to protocols. The results demonstrated a high prevalence rate (17.9%) for GAD during the initial COVID-19 outbreak compared with the prior 1.8% 12-month estimate before the pandemic. Individuals with GAD reported significantly higher levels of stress, loneliness, fatigue, and empathic concern, along with reductions in levels of quality of life. Likewise, those with GAD reported significantly higher pandemic-related concerns, poorer changes in general health behaviors, and less confidence in the government's response to the pandemic. For clinical purposes, these findings provide insight into the various types of pandemic-themed worries that individuals meeting clinical criteria for GAD will have the most difficulties controlling.