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Assessment and Evaluation of Psychological Status of Undergraduate College Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in the United Arab Emirates

Author

Listed:
  • Heyam F. Dalky

    (Community and Mental Health Department, Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science & Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan)

  • Yousef M. Aljawarneh

    (Health Sciences Division, Nursing Program, Higher Colleges of Technology, P.O. Box 1626, Fujairah 15825, United Arab Emirates)

  • Lubna M. Rajab

    (Health Sciences Division, Nursing Program, Higher Colleges of Technology, P.O. Box 1626, Fujairah 15825, United Arab Emirates)

  • Salma Almas

    (Health Sciences Division, Nursing Program, Higher Colleges of Technology, P.O. Box 1626, Fujairah 15825, United Arab Emirates)

  • Feddah Al Mazemi

    (Health Sciences Division, Nursing Program, Higher Colleges of Technology, P.O. Box 1626, Fujairah 15825, United Arab Emirates)

  • Latifa Al Ali

    (Health Sciences Division, Nursing Program, Higher Colleges of Technology, P.O. Box 1626, Fujairah 15825, United Arab Emirates)

  • Sana Abdulghani

    (Health Sciences Division, Nursing Program, Higher Colleges of Technology, P.O. Box 1626, Fujairah 15825, United Arab Emirates)

  • Shamma Al Shamsi

    (Health Sciences Division, Nursing Program, Higher Colleges of Technology, P.O. Box 1626, Fujairah 15825, United Arab Emirates)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus instigated a worldwide lockdown that affected students mitigating various psychological issues including depression, stress, and anxiety. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate university students’ psychological status in terms of depression, anxiety, and stress. A total of 206 students from the Higher College of Technology (HCT), Sharjah Campuses participated in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected between March and May 2021. Participants completed an online survey including a demographic data questionnaire and the depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS-21). The mean depression, stress, and anxiety scores were 15.56 (±11.573), 17.13 (±10.946), and 14.90 (±10.523) respectively. Categorically, most students (33.3%) reported no depression, while 26.1% of students reported moderate depression. For stress, the majority (44.4%) experienced no stress, while 19.8% reported moderate stress. Strikingly, 36.7% of students reported extreme severe anxiety, with 28% reporting no anxiety. Students with history of depression, stress, and anxiety symptoms reported a statistically significant mean difference in depression, stress, and anxiety compared with those with no previous history of those symptoms. We conclude with a recommendation to expand mental health screening among undergraduate university students and design appropriate therapeutic modalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Heyam F. Dalky & Yousef M. Aljawarneh & Lubna M. Rajab & Salma Almas & Feddah Al Mazemi & Latifa Al Ali & Sana Abdulghani & Shamma Al Shamsi, 2022. "Assessment and Evaluation of Psychological Status of Undergraduate College Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in the United Arab Emirates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12487-:d:930214
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Md Akhtarul Islam & Sutapa Dey Barna & Hasin Raihan & Md Nafiul Alam Khan & Md Tanvir Hossain, 2020. "Depression and anxiety among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: A web-based cross-sectional survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-12, August.
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