Anxious and depressive symptoms in adolescents: epidemiological data of a large scale study in Dresden

Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: Addictive social media use, depression, anxiety and stress in quarantine - an exploratory study in Germany and Lithuania

Background

To slow down the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments of many countries introduced various behavioral measures starting March 2020. The measures included domestic quarantine (not leaving home) for infected or potentially infected people. Due to the need for social distancing, online activity increased in spring 2020. This could foster the risk for addictive social media use (SMU). The present study investigated tendencies of addictive SMU and their relationship with depression, anxiety and stress symptoms specifically among individuals who stayed in domestic quarantine due to COVID-19 in Germany and Lithuania.

Methods

In Germany (N = 529; quarantine group: n = 157, non-quarantine group: n = 372) and in Lithuania (N = 325; quarantine group: n = 54, non-quarantine group: n = 271), data were assessed via online surveys in spring 2020.

Results

In both countries, persons in quarantine had higher levels of addictive SMU, depression, anxiety and stress symptoms than individuals who were not in quarantine. The difference was significant only for addictive SMU in the German sample. The significant positive correlations between addictive SMU and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were stronger in both quarantine groups than in the non-quarantine groups.

Limitations

The mostly female, young and well-educated composition of both investigated samples limits generalizability of the current findings.

Conclusions

Results reveal first evidence that the use of social media during domestic COVID-19 quarantine might contribute to the increase of addictive tendencies and negatively impact well-being. Alternative ways of daily routine during the quarantine are discussed.

Predicting adaptive and maladaptive responses to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: A prospective longitudinal study

Background/Objective

The outbreak of COVID-19 and the lack of vaccine made extraordinary actions such as social distancing necessary. While some individuals experience the restrictions on daily life as a heavy burden, others adapt to the situation and try to make the best of it. The present longitudinal study investigated the extent and predictors of the burden induced by the outbreak of COVID-19 in Germany.

Method

Data were assessed in October 2019 using the DASS-21 and the PMH-Scale, and in March 2020 adding a six-item measure of burden and a 2-item rating of sense of control.

Results

In a sample of 436 participants, about 28% stayed in self-quarantine, 22 persons had relevant symptoms and one person was positively tested for COVID-19. Most participants experienced medium to high levels of burden but tried to make the best of it. Stress symptoms in 2019 predicted a higher level of burden and PMH predicted a lower level of burden in March 2020. Remarkably, depression and anxiety symptoms did not significantly predict burden. The protective effect of PMH and the negative impact of stress symptoms were mediated by perceived sense of control.

Conclusions

The results emphasize the protective effect of PMH in extraordinary situations such as the current outbreak of COVID-19.

Prevalence of students with symptoms of depression among high school students in a district of western Turkey: an epidemiological study

BACKGROUND

To determine the factors affecting the prevalence of depression and also to present some pertinent comments concerning prevention of depression among high school students. This study was deemed important and relevant due to the increasing importance of depression among high school students.

METHODS

A sample of students aged 14-19 years from the 6 high schools of 1 district of western Turkey were surveyed. The students selected were all attending the school during March and April 2006. The Beck Depression Inventory was used as a screening test.

RESULTS

During the study, a total of 846 students completed the survey. Of the study group, 51.9% (439) were male and 48.1% (407) female, with an age average of 16.3 +/- 1.1 years. According to the scale, the prevalence of depression was 30.7% (n = 260), 22.6% for males (n = 99) and 39.6% for females (n = 161). The most depression was seen in males (22.6%), those with any kind of physical problem (37.3%), those with diseases necessitating the use of medication (51.1%), those with acne vulgaris (35.2%), and those having previously experienced any kind of problem (47.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight not only the need for students' parents and teachers to be well informed on the subject of depression in terms of students' health but also the need for more education programs to be aimed at students relating to the problems they may experience during the period of adolescence. Furthermore, these results show that students identified as depressed should be referred for an appropriate diagnosis to specialized psychiatry centers.

Mental health, life stress and social support among young Norwegian adolescents with immigrant and host national background

The first aim of the study was to investigate differences in level of mental health, life stress and social support among adolescents with immigrant and domestic background. A second aim was to identify culture group and gender specific sources of risk and protective factors and their relation to mental health. Questionnaire data were collected from 633 students, aged 13, in Oslo, Norway. Immigrant adolescents reported higher level of psychological distress and lower social support than host students. Of the four gender-culture groups, immigrant boys reported the highest level of problems, with a 28% prevalence of anxiety/depression. There were no significant differences in prevalence among the girls. Specific patterns of relationships between life stress, support, and mental health were found across gender and culture. The results were discussed within a framework of culture differences in values and gender role expectancies, underscoring the importance of studying each gender/culture group separately.