The influence of illness perception, anxiety and depression disorders on students mental health during Covid-19 outbreak in Pakistan

A Web-based cross-sectional survey

Bibliographic Data

ID6150893
AuthorsMuhammad Aqeel (0000-0001-8007-6723, National University of Modern Languages), Jaffar Abbas (0000-0002-8830-1435, Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Kanwar Hamza Shuja (0000-0001-8460-0852, Capital University of Science and Technology), Tasnim Rehna (0000-0002-7745-6554, National University of Modern Languages), Arash Ziapour (0000-0001-8687-7484, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences), Ishrat Yousaf (0000-0003-1828-3558, Capital University of Science and Technology), Tehmina Karamat (Foundation University Islamabad)
Year2021
Volume15
Issue1
Pages17-30
Publication date2021-08-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2056-4902 • E-ISSN: 2056-4910
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/ijhrh-10-2020-0095
OpenAlexW3115294622
LanguageEN
Citations received20
References cited38

Purpose Since the emergence of a coronavirus disease (2019-nCoV) in December 2019, the whole world is in a state of chaos. Isolation strategy with quarantine is a useful model in controlling transmission and rapid spread. As a result, people remained at home and disrupted their outside daily activities. It led to the closure of educational institutes, which is a source of many students to cope with numerous personal and familial issues. This study aims to focus on exploring the relationships and potential mediational pathways between mental health problems, illness perception, anxiety and depression disorders. Design/methodology/approach The study incorporated snowball sampling techniques through a cross-sectional, Web-based survey and recruited 500 students from different universities of twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad from March 23 to April 15, 2020, during the coronavirus outbreak lockdown. The study used four instruments, Beck Depression Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire and The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale for assessing depression, anxiety, illness perception and mental health disorders. Findings The findings indicated normal (43.2%), mild (20.5%), moderate (13.6%) and severe (22.7%) levels of anxiety prevalence in students. Results specified a normal (65.9%), mild (9.10%), moderate (9.12%) and severe (15.90%) depression prevalence and findings stipulated that anxiety disorder prevalence was higher than depression disorder. The correlational results specified a negative and significant relationship between mental health, illness perception, anxiety and depression symptoms. The multiple regression analysis stated that anxiety and depression disorders mediated the relationship between mental health and present illness perception. The perception of illness exhibited a relation to depression and anxiety disorders. Originality/value The study proposed a model to address mental health problems during the lockdown. The (2019-nCoV) illness perception developed mental disorders, including anxiety and depression, which has declined individuals’ mental health. There is an urgent need for ongoing clinical examination and management to address psychological disorders and findings suggest assessing mental health to combatting the pandemic worldwide. Findings recommend developing strategies to promote mental health-care facilities during COVID-19 wide-ranging disasters. These results highlight the impending importance of devising strategies to treat mental health problems

Anxiety · Beck Anxiety Inventory · Beck Depression Inventory · Cross-sectional study · Depression (economics · Mental health · Mental illness · Psychiatry · Snowball sampling · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Optimism, Hope, and Well-being · Psychology