Department of Psychiatry, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2021 Jun;25(2):172-179. doi: 10.1080/13651501.2021.1900872. Epub 2021 Mar 27.
Quarantine, although essential during contagious outbreaks, has been correlated with poor psychological outcomes in the general population. Such outcomes include low mood, suicide, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Studies have mostly looked at the mental health of general citizens, healthcare workers, or infected survivors, with limited research targeting university students. This study aimed to understand the psychological distress experienced by self-quarantined undergraduate university students in Lebanon during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Undergraduate students enrolled at the American University of Beirut were invited to participate in a 47-item online questionnaire. 73 participants completed the questionnaire. Demographic data, data about COVID-19 exposure, stressors during quarantine, understanding the rationale, compliance, and difficulties associated with quarantine, and levels of psychological distress were analysed.
75.3% of the participants were considered as having a high risk of developing acute stress. Undergoing quarantine for more than 14 days, having a chronic medical illness, inadequate access to supplies, and fear of infection were all significantly associated with an increased risk of acute stress.
Despite being a necessary preventive measure during infectious disease outbreaks, quarantine can be associated with negative psychological effects, particularly in undergraduate students. Providing preventive and effective interventions is of utmost necessity.KEY POINTSDuring COVID-19, three-quarter of students had high risk for acute stress.Females had higher odds of high-risk acute stress compared to males.Having a chronic medical condition was associated with high risk acute stress.Long quarantine and lack of supplies were associated with high risk acute stress.Providing interventions to protect the mental health of students is necessary.
尽管隔离在传染病爆发期间是必要的，但它已被证明与普通人群中的不良心理后果有关。这些后果包括情绪低落、自杀和创伤后应激症状。大多数研究都关注一般公民、医护人员或感染幸存者的心理健康，针对大学生的研究有限。本研究旨在了解在 COVID-19 爆发期间，黎巴嫩自我隔离的本科大学生所经历的心理困扰。
邀请贝鲁特美国大学的本科生参加一项 47 项的在线问卷调查。共有 73 名参与者完成了问卷。分析了人口统计学数据、COVID-19 暴露数据、隔离期间的压力源、对隔离基本原理的理解、遵守情况以及与隔离相关的困难，以及心理困扰的程度。
75.3%的参与者被认为有发展急性应激的高风险。隔离超过 14 天、患有慢性疾病、物资供应不足以及对感染的恐惧，都与急性应激风险增加显著相关。
尽管隔离是传染病爆发期间的必要预防措施，但它可能会带来负面的心理影响，特别是在本科生中。提供预防性和有效的干预措施是非常必要的。
在 COVID-19 期间，四分之三的学生有急性应激的高风险。与男性相比，女性出现高风险急性应激的几率更高。患有慢性疾病与高风险急性应激相关。长时间隔离和物资匮乏与高风险急性应激相关。提供干预措施以保护学生的心理健康是必要的。
