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Stress, Depression and/or Anxiety According to the Death by COVID-19 of a Family Member or Friend in Health Sciences Students in Latin America during the First Wave

Author

Listed:
  • Christian R. Mejia

    (Translational Medicine Research Centre, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima 15073, Peru)

  • Aldo Alvarez-Risco

    (Carrera de Negocios Internacionales, Facultad de Ciencias Empresariales y Económicas, Universidad de Lima, Lima 15023, Peru)

  • Yaniré M. Mejía

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas—UPC, Lima 15023, Peru)

  • Susan C. Quispe

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas—UPC, Lima 15023, Peru)

  • Shyla Del-Aguila-Arcentales

    (Escuela de Posgrado, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima 15024, Peru)

  • Victor Serna-Alarcón

    (Hospital José Cayetano Heredia, EsSalud, Piura 20002, Peru
    Escuela Profesional de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, Trujillo 13001, Peru)

  • Martín A. Vilela-Estrada

    (Escuela Profesional de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, Trujillo 13001, Peru)

  • Jose Armada

    (Faculty of Business Sciences, Universidad Continental, Huancayo 12000, Peru)

  • Jaime A. Yáñez

    (Facultad de Educación, Carrera de Educación y Gestión del Aprendizaje, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima 15023, Peru
    Gerencia Corporativa de Asuntos Científicos y Regulatorios, Teoma Global, Lima 15073, Peru)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic generated high mortality in various countries, which may have had an impact on the mental health of young people. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether the death of a family member or close friend due to COVID-19 generated a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, or moderate/severe stress in university health sciences students in Latin America. This is an analytical cross-sectional study, with secondary data; depression, anxiety, and stress were measured with a validated survey. In addition, data were obtained on the deaths by COVID-19 of family members or close friends, illness and other socio-economic variables. Descriptive and analytical statistics were obtained. It was found that, of the 3304 students, 5.9% (190) had a close relative who had died, 11.2% (363) a distant relative, and 19.8% (641) a friend. According to the multivariate analysis, those students who had a close family member who had died had greater depression (RPa: 1.48; CI 95%: 1.20–1.84; value p < 0.001) and stress (RPa: 1.41; CI 95%: 1.11–1.79; p value = 0.005), in addition, those who had a friend who died had higher levels of anxiety (RPa: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.06–1.36; p value =0.005); also, the respondents who suffered from COVID-19 had greater depression (RPa: 1.49; CI 95%: 1.05–2.11; value p = 0.024) and stress (RPa: 1.55; CI 95%: 1.05–2.28, p -value = 0.028). An association was found between suffering from depression, anxiety, or stress, and having suffered the death of a family member or close friend from COVID-19. This finding is an important one for places of education to consider, suggesting a need to generate psychological support programs for students who have lost a loved one during the pandemic, since this could have academic and social repercussions. An association was found between the three mental illnesses studied and the death of a family member or close friend from COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian R. Mejia & Aldo Alvarez-Risco & Yaniré M. Mejía & Susan C. Quispe & Shyla Del-Aguila-Arcentales & Victor Serna-Alarcón & Martín A. Vilela-Estrada & Jose Armada & Jaime A. Yáñez, 2022. "Stress, Depression and/or Anxiety According to the Death by COVID-19 of a Family Member or Friend in Health Sciences Students in Latin America during the First Wave," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:23:p:15515-:d:980346
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan Domaradzki, 2022. "‘Who Else If Not We’. Medical Students’ Perception and Experiences with Volunteering during the COVID-19 Crisis in Poznan, Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Ahmed, Bilal & Navid Yousaf, Farhan & Saud, Muhammad & Ahmad, Akhlaq, 2020. "Youth at risk: The alarming issue of drug addiction in academic institutions in Pakistan," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    3. Ewa Rodakowska & Marta Mazur & Joanna Baginska & Teresa Sierpinska & Giuseppe La Torre & Livia Ottolenghi & Valeria D'Egidio & Fabrizio Guerra, 2020. "Smoking Prevalence, Attitudes and Behavior among Dental Students in Poland and Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-12, October.
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