A repeated cross-sectional survey assessing university students' stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidality in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland

2020/10/02 by Agata Debowska, Beata Horeczy, Daniel Boduszek +2 · 292 citations
Health Professions · Medicine · Psychology · #Anxiety #COVID-19 and Mental Health #Clinical psychology #Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) #Cross-sectional study #Depression (economics) #Disease #Environmental health #Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout #Infectious disease (medical specialty) #Internal medicine #Medicine #Mental Health Research Topics #Mental health #Pandemic #Population #Psychiatry #Psychology

paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/s003329172000392x

published in Psychological Medicine 52(15), 3744-3747 (Cambridge University Press)

openalex publication_date 2020/10/02 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The time of widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases can lead to elevated stress and mental health problems among all persons affected, and in particular those sub-groups of the population that are at an increased risk of mental health problems. One such vulnerable group constitutes university students. The aim of this study is to assess stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidality among different groups of university students (medical, psychology, and other). METHODS: Using a repeated cross-sectional study design, we collected survey data among a large sample of 7228 university students from Poland (mean age = 22.78, s.d. = 4.40; 81% female). Data were collected in five waves, during the first 2 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe (March and April 2020). RESULTS: The results demonstrate a significant increase in depression levels as the pandemic was progressing. We also found that female students scored significantly higher than male students on depression, anxiety, and stress. Psychology students recorded the lowest scores on depression and anxiety. Young adult students (aged 18-24 years) had more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality than adult students (⩾25 years). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide insights into stress and mental health among university students during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings can be used for a more effective identification of students who may struggle during next stages of the pandemic and future crises.

Citations

• The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories

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