Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2024.63.01.9

Adverse mental health outcomes in medical students in Serbia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Dragana Ignjatović Ristić ; University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia
Darko Hinić ; University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science, Kragujevac, Serbia *
Ivan Ristić ; University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
Pavle Milanović ; University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia
Nemanja Milenković ; University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia
Dragica Selaković ; University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia
Gvozden Rosić ; University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The specificities of student population may lead to an increased risk of adverse
mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was t o evaluate the levels of
perceived stress, anxiety, and depression in medical students during COVID-19 lockdown, and the
relationship of these constructs with various sociodemographic variables. The study was conducted
online from April 20 to April 29, 2020, during the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (using
sociodemographic questionnaire and DASS-21 scale), on a sample of 420 students (female 81.7%,
Mage=22.53) at the University of Kragujevac. The majority of participants (55%-58%) had no self-reported
symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress, and the mean values were in-between the
categories of ‘without any symptoms’ and ‘with mild symptoms’. Predictors of exhibiting depression
symptoms were previous psychological problems (odds ratio [OR]=3.16), family history of mental
illness (OR=2.12), and relationship status (OR=0.61). For the symptoms of anxiety, predictors were
female gender (OR=2.38), reported previous psychological problems (OR=3.91), and age (OR=0.92).
Predictors of the symptoms of stress were female gender (OR=2.31), previous psychological problems
(OR=3.18), and age (OR=0.91). The results of our study imply that certain factors influence the
development of adverse mental health outcomes during this period, which should be taken into
account when planning psychological interventions and services.

Keywords

COVID-19; University students; Anxiety; Depression; Stress

Hrčak ID:

322029

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/322029

Publication date:

1.4.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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