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Mental Health and Psychological Impact during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Survey of Portuguese Higher Education Students

Author

Listed:
  • Carlos Laranjeira

    (School of Health Sciences, Campus 2, Polytechnic of Leiria, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
    Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André—66–68, Campus 5, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
    Research in Education and Community Intervention (RECI I&D), Piaget Institute, 3515-776 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Maria Anjos Dixe

    (School of Health Sciences, Campus 2, Polytechnic of Leiria, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
    Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André—66–68, Campus 5, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal)

  • Olga Valentim

    (School of Health Sciences, Campus 2, Polytechnic of Leiria, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
    Center for Research in Health and Information Systems (CINTESIS), NursID, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

  • Zaida Charepe

    (Institute of Health Sciences (ICS), Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Palma de Cima, 1649-023 Lisboa, Portugal
    Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1649-023 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Ana Querido

    (School of Health Sciences, Campus 2, Polytechnic of Leiria, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
    Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André—66–68, Campus 5, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
    Center for Research in Health and Information Systems (CINTESIS), NursID, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant psychological impact on vulnerable groups, particularly students. The present study aims to investigate the mental and psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors in a sample of Portuguese higher education students. An online cross-sectional study was conducted among 1522 higher education students selected by convenience sampling. The survey assessed mental health symptoms as well as sociodemographic variables, health-related perceptions, and psychological factors. Results were fitted to binary and multivariable logistic regression models. The overall prevalences of stress, anxiety, and depression were 35.7%, 36.2%, and 28.5%, respectively. Poor mental health outcomes were related with being female, having no children, living with someone with chronic disease, facing hopelessness, and lacking resilient coping. Future studies focusing on better ways to promote mental health and wellbeing among students are warranted. It is necessary to gather more evidence on the post-pandemic mental health using robust study designs and standardized assessment tools.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Laranjeira & Maria Anjos Dixe & Olga Valentim & Zaida Charepe & Ana Querido, 2021. "Mental Health and Psychological Impact during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Survey of Portuguese Higher Education Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:337-:d:713939
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nicolás Ruiz-Robledillo & Juan Vela-Bermejo & Violeta Clement-Carbonell & Rosario Ferrer-Cascales & Cristian Alcocer-Bruno & Natalia Albaladejo-Blázquez, 2022. "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Academic Stress and Perceived Classroom Climate in Spanish University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Rute Mendes & Wanessa Cristina Baccon & Carlos Laranjeira, 2023. "Fear of COVID-19, Mental Health and Resilient Coping in Young Adult Male Inmates: A Portuguese Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-14, April.

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