COVID-19 research explores impact of pandemic on youth mental health

Muscat: With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing across the globe, there has been a prevalence of mental health disorders among the general population. Dr Omar al Omari from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) explored this topic with his research project themed 'Depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness and satisfaction of life among youth at the time of coronavirus: A multi-country study' for the COVID-19 Research Programme of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. For his research project, principal investigator Dr Omar al Omari used a cross-sectional, descriptive design to explore the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among youth, as well as to identify to what extent certain variables related to COVID-19 could predict depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) among young people in six different countries. Participants were requested to complete an online survey including demographics and the DAS scale. A total of 1,057 participants completed the study. The main findings of the research were that the total prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 57%, 40.5%, and 38.1%, respectively, with no significant differences between countries. Significant predictors of stress, anxiety, and depression were being female, being in contact with a friend and/or a family member with mental illness, being quarantined for 14 days, and using the internet. Dr Omar al Omari concluded through his research that COVID-19 is an epidemiological crisis that is casting a shadow on youths' depression, anxiety and stress. The restrictions and prolonged lockdowns imposed by COVID-19 are negatively impacting their level of DAS. He recommended that healthcare organizations, in collaboration with various sectors, should apply psychological first aid and design appropriate educational programs to improve the mental health of the youth. --ONA