ADVERSE MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES IN MEDICAL STUDENTS IN SERBIA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Abstract

The specificities of student population may lead to an increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was to evaluate the levels of perceived stress, anxiety, and depression in medical students during COVID-19 lockdown, and the relationship of these constructs with various sociodemographic variables. The study was conducted online from April 20 to April 29, 2020, during the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (using sociodemographic questionnaire and DASS-21 scale), on a sample of 420 students (female 81.7%, M_age=22.53) at the University of Kragujevac. The majority of participants (55%-58%) had no self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress, and the mean values were in-between the categories of 'without any symptoms' and 'with mild symptoms'. Predictors of exhibiting depression symptoms were previous psychological problems (odds ratio [OR]=3.16), family history of mental illness (OR=2.12), and relationship status (OR=0.61). For the symptoms of anxiety, predictors were female gender (OR=2.38), reported previous psychological problems (OR=3.91), and age (OR=0.92). Predictors of the symptoms of stress were female gender (OR=2.31), previous psychological problems (OR=3.18), and age (OR=0.91). The results of our study imply that certain factors influence the development of adverse mental health outcomes during this period, which should be taken into account when planning psychological interventions and services.