Depression, Anxiety and Stress Symptoms and Substance Use among Health Care Students in Turkey during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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ALTUNKÜREK Ş. Z., Demir E. N.

Journal of Clinical Medicine of Kazakhstan, cilt.21, sa.6, ss.66-72, 2024 (Scopus)

Özet

Aim: People of all ages have been physically and psychologically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the world. Due to their predisposition to high levels of stress, anxiety, and sadness in general, university students are especially susceptible to the psychological effects of COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to assess the perspectives of health care students regarding substance abuse, stress and anxiety, and depression within the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional survey includes 1126 university students. The data collecting forms were the Descriptive Info Form and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). ANOVA, post hoc tests (Tukey, LSD), and t-tests were used to analyze the individuals' scale scores and descriptive characteristics. Results: The mean depression, anxiety and stress score was 16.280±7.942, 17.837±8.257, and 17.686±8.247, respectively. In this study, statistically significant differences were found in terms of gender, education level, income level, use of any addictive substance, use of any addictive substance by a relative, changes in substance use during the pandemic period and mean DASS subscale score (p<0.05). Conclusions: Among university students studying health care, correlations between substance abuse and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression were found throughout the epidemic. Health experts may find it helpful to organize initiatives to lessen substance addiction in order to assist pupils in overcoming psychological issues during trying times like the COVID-19 pandemic.