United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken unprecedented precautionary measures including complete lockdowns against COVID-19 to control its spread and ensure the wellbeing of individuals. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 and societal lockdown measures on the mental health of adults in the UAE. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an English and Arabic online questionnaire between May and June 2020. The psychological impact was assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the social and family support impact was evaluated using questions from the Perceived Support Scale (PSS). A total of 4426 participants (3325 females and 1101 males) completed the questionnaire. The mean IES-R score was 28.0 ±14.6, reflecting a mild stressful impact with 27.3% reporting severe psychological impact. Over 36% reported increased stress from work, home, and financial matters. Also, 43%–63% of the participants felt horrified, apprehensive, or helpless due to COVID-19. Fe
Compared with other hospital patients, those with COVID-19 reported greater anxiety and perceived trauma, according to findings published in BMC Psychiatry.
Background
COVID-19 is an ongoing event that has affected millions worldwide financially, socially, and psychologically; university students have also felt the devastating impact. Therefore, assessing how students have been affected psychologically is important, which is explored in this study.
Methods
This cross-sectional study took place in two institutions in Bahrain between October and December 2021. A survey assembled from pre-validated questionnaires was sent through Google Forms after receiving ethics approval. Data were analyzed using network plot analysis and linear regression analysis.
Results
Out of 292 responses, the most common demographic observed were vaccinated Bahraini females living with families at a mean age of 21.21 (SD±3.447). The mean scores for the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Centered for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D), and Stigma Scale were 10.55 (SD ± 6.144), 18.75 (SD ± 9.147), and 25.40 (SD ± 3.428), respe