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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students’ Mental Health and Sleep in Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • Azizah Alyoubi

    (Sleep Education and Research Laboratory (SERL), Department of Psychology and Human Development, University College London-Institute of Education, 25 Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AA, UK)

  • Elizabeth J. Halstead

    (Sleep Education and Research Laboratory (SERL), Department of Psychology and Human Development, University College London-Institute of Education, 25 Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AA, UK)

  • Zoe Zambelli

    (Sleep Education and Research Laboratory (SERL), Department of Psychology and Human Development, University College London-Institute of Education, 25 Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AA, UK)

  • Dagmara Dimitriou

    (Sleep Education and Research Laboratory (SERL), Department of Psychology and Human Development, University College London-Institute of Education, 25 Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AA, UK
    The National Institute for Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Behavioural Change (NISAD), 252 21 Helsingborg, Sweden)

Abstract

Background: Mental health problems are prevalent among university students in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students’ mental health and sleep in Saudi Arabia. Method: A total of 582 undergraduate students from Saudi Arabia aged between 18 and 45 years old (M = 20.91, SD = 3.17) completed a cross-sectional online questionnaire measuring depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020). Analysis included an independent samples t -test, one-way ANOVA, and Hierarchical regression analysis. Results: Undergraduate students reported high levels of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress and low levels of resilience ( p < 0.001) during the pandemic. In addition, students reported experiencing insomnia. A hierarchical regression analysis indicated that lower resilience, high levels of insomnia, having a pre-existing mental health condition, and learning difficulties (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or dyscalculia) were significantly associated with high levels of depression and stress. In addition, lower resilience, a high level of insomnia, and pre-existing mental health conditions were significantly associated with high levels of anxiety. Finally, a lower level of psychological resilience and a high level of insomnia were significantly associated with increased levels of depression, anxiety and stress within university students. Conclusion: This study has provided evidence that a lower level of psychological resilience and insomnia were associated with mental health problems among undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia, thus enhancing psychological resilience and interventions to support sleep and mental health are vital to support student well-being outcomes throughout the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Azizah Alyoubi & Elizabeth J. Halstead & Zoe Zambelli & Dagmara Dimitriou, 2021. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students’ Mental Health and Sleep in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9344-:d:628965
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gaia Sampogna & Maurizio Pompili & Andrea Fiorillo, 2021. "Mental Health in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Worldwide Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-5, December.
    2. Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi & Naveed Ahmad & Muhammad Salman & Nida Tanveer & Shahid Shah & Muhammad Hammad Butt & Ahmed D. Alatawi & Nasser Hadal Alotaibi & Hidayat Ur Rahman & Abdulaziz Ibrahim Alzarea &, 2022. "Estimation of Psychological Impairment and Coping Strategies during COVID-19 Pandemic among University Students in Saudi Arabia: A Large Regional Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Hidayah Karuniawati & Nila Sari & Md. Sanower Hossain & Wan Ismahanisa Ismail & Aniq Hudiyah Bil Haq & Tri Yulianti & Taufik Taufik & Gardhika Rizky Sudarsono, 2022. "Assessment of Mental Health and Quality of Life Status of Undergraduate Students in Indonesia during COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, September.
    4. Fatemah Alghamdi & Amal Ashour & Lola Adeyemi & Paula Bamidele & Blessing Nwambo-Logan & Maha Alsharif & Amal M. Sindi & Nada Binmadi, 2022. "The Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic among Emerging Adults: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-12, January.

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