Anxiety, Depression, and Predictors amongst Iranian Students Aged 8 to 18 Years during the COVID-19 Outbreak First Peak

Sanaz  Bahrami-Samani; Mojgan Firouzbakht; Alireza Azizi; Shabnam Omidvar

doi:10.18502/ijps.v17i2.8909

Sanaz Bahrami-Samani Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Mojgan Firouzbakht Department of Nursing-Midwifery, Comprehensive Health Research Center, Babol Branch, Isalamic Azad University, Babol, Iran.
Alireza Azizi Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Shabnam Omidvar Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v17i2.8909

Keywords: Anxiety; COVID-19; Depression; Outbreaks; Students

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 outbreak among students aged 8 to 18 years and to determine related demographic and other related factors.

Method: A descriptive and analytical cross sectional study was conducted through web-based data collection which included 348 students aged 8 to 18 years in the state of Mazandaran, Iran during the first peak of COVID-19. Demographic and Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-P) questionnaires were used to collect the data. The statistical tests including independent sample t test, ANOVA as well as linear regression were employed.

Results: The average age of the subjects was reported to be 12.2 ± 3.59 years. Age, father’s occupation, following COVID-19 related news, and also nervousness related to infection were predictors of anxiety (11%). Moreover, age, mother’s occupation, family communication and also the safety protocols practiced by the family were found to be predictors of depression in students (17%). A significant relationship was also found between the effect of quarantine on family communication and the anxiety and depression in students (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Demographic characteristics affect student mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, family preventive protocols can predict depression in students aged 8 to 18 years. Better preventive precautions encourage less anxiety and depression.