International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology

The International Promotion Agency of Culture Technology (국제문화기술진흥원)
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Factors associated with Anxiety and Depression among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea

  • Moo-Sik Lee (Department of Preventive Medicine & Public Health, College of Medicine, Konyang University) ;
  • Yeon-Kyung Seo (Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Konyang University) ;
  • Kyung-Tae Kim (Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Konyang University) ;
  • Tae-Jun Lee (Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Public Health and Welfare, Konyang University) ;
  • Achangwa Chiara (Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Public Health and Welfare, Konyang University) ;
  • Jung-Hee Park (Department of Emergency Medical Service, College of Medical Science, Konyang University)
  • Received : 2022.12.29
  • Accepted : 2023.03.13
  • Published : 2023.03.31
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Abstract

Backgrounds: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the university students population is one of the high risk and vulnerable groups. This study analyzed the status of student's mental health, including anxiety and depression caused by COVID-19, and its related factors among a university students in Korea. Methods : Our study subjects included university students in Korea. The survey items included general characteristics, teaching methods, physical activity, eating habits (SDBQ-L), weight-related questions, general anxiety disorder-7(GAD-7), and depression symptoms checklist. Frequency analysis, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis were performed and data was analyzed using R version 4.1.2 program. Results : The prevalence of anxiety complaints was 5.5%, while the prevalence of depression complaints was 30.8%. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis of factors influencing anxiety, anxiety occurred 19.081 times (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.352-154.807) in the group with unhealthy diet (p<0.01). While in the multivariable analysis to identify factors affecting depression, women were 2.607 times significantly higher (95% CI: 1.255-5.415) than men, 0.407 times (95% CI:0.197-0.840) for residents of the metropolitan area, 3.418 times higher (95% CI:1.633-7.198) for unhealthy dietary people, and 2.225 times higher (95% CI: 1.080-4.582) for weight gainers (p<0.05). The type of class had no effect. Conclusions: COVID-19 and its associated interventions had negative effects on the mental health status including anxiety and depression in university students in Korea. Based on our results we recommend developing mental health interventions and prevention strategies for students in all universities in Korea.

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References

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