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A cross-sectional analysis of psychological distress among higher education students in Ireland.
Cullinan, J; Walsh, S; Flannery, D; Kennelly, B.
  • Cullinan J; School of Business & Economics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
  • Walsh S; School of Business & Economics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
  • Flannery D; Department of Economics, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
  • Kennelly B; School of Business & Economics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Ir J Psychol Med ; : 1-9, 2022 Feb 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1707591
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

To examine levels of psychological distress among higher education students in Ireland overall and across a range of personal, higher education, and socioeconomic characteristics, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional online survey of college students in Ireland was undertaken in 2018. Data on 5201 students from 13 higher education institutions (HEIs) were analyzed. Stress, anxiety, and depression symptom scores based on the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were calculated and reported, with statistical testing used to compare across groups.

RESULTS:

Overall, 29.6% and 19.1% of respondents were classified in the mild to moderate and severe to extremely severe range for depression respectively. The corresponding proportions were 25.9% and 20.7% for anxiety, and 24.5% and 14.8% for stress. Differences across groups included higher levels of psychological distress for transgender and female students compared to males (p < 0.01), for gay/lesbian/bisexual students compared to heterosexuals (p < 0.01), for undergraduates compared to postgraduates (p < 0.01), for students from intermediate/technical/service/unskilled social classes compared to professional/self-employed social classes (p < 0.01), and for those with financial difficulties compared to those without financial difficulties (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Rates of psychological distress were high amongst college students in Ireland prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with substantial differences across groups. Due to study limitations, such as possible selection bias, the findings need replication. Further research is needed to determine the impact of the pandemic on the prevalence of mental illness in this population.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal: Ir J Psychol Med Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ipm.2022.2

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal: Ir J Psychol Med Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ipm.2022.2