Behisi Marwah Ahmed, Altaweel Hussain M, Gassas Reham F, Aldehaiman Mansour, Alkhamees Abdulmajeed A
Clinical Child Psychologist, National Center for Mental Health Promotion, Riyadh 12211, Saudi Arabia.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh 11159, Saudi Arabia.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 25;18(15):7857. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18157857.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis associated with unprecedented levels of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has been suggested to contribute to a great burden on global mental health. We assumed that individuals in quarantine outside their home country would be more vulnerable to developing mental health disorders during the current pandemic and might face difficulties in accessing mental health services.
To explore the degree of association between the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health status of Saudi citizens living abroad.
(1) To measure the prevalence and risk factors of mental health problems among Saudi citizens studying and living abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) to assess the correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health status of Saudi citizens living abroad; and (3) to explore the level of anxiety/depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 2020 to September 2020 using a self-administrated questionnaire composed of sociodemographic, (GAD-7) and (PHQ-9) scales.
A total of 64% of participants experienced psychiatric symptoms during the pandemic, and 34% and 30% met the diagnostic criteria for symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. The risk of psychological symptoms was more likely experienced by females, young, single, or divorced, or those who were living alone. In addition, those who lived in the UK and Ireland were more likely to develop depressive and anxiety symptoms. More than 80% appreciated the response of the Saudi government and embassy to meet the MH needs of students undergoing quarantine abroad and in Saudi Arabia.
The COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented threat to global mental health. Two-thirds of study participants who were in foreign countries during the COVID-19 pandemic reported anxiety or depressive symptoms. Living away from family and friends was significantly associated with increased loneliness and psychological distress. These and other findings highlight the need to remove barriers preventing easily accessible online mental health services, social and family support, and timely provision of resources.
新冠疫情是一场全球健康危机，在全球范围内造成了前所未有的发病率和死亡率。有人认为新冠疫情给全球心理健康带来了巨大负担。我们推测，在国外隔离的个人在当前疫情期间更容易患上心理健康障碍，并且在获得心理健康服务方面可能会面临困难。
探讨新冠疫情与居住在国外的沙特公民心理健康状况之间的关联程度。
（1）测量新冠疫情期间在国外学习和生活的沙特公民心理健康问题的患病率及风险因素；（2）评估新冠疫情与居住在国外的沙特公民心理健康状况之间的相关性；（3）探讨新冠疫情期间的焦虑/抑郁水平。
2020年8月至2020年9月进行了一项横断面调查，使用由社会人口统计学、广泛性焦虑障碍量表（GAD - 7）和患者健康问卷量表（PHQ - 9）组成的自填式问卷。
共有64%的参与者在疫情期间出现精神症状，分别有34%和30%符合抑郁和焦虑症状的诊断标准。女性、年轻人、单身或离异者、独居者更易出现心理症状。此外，居住在英国和爱尔兰的人更易出现抑郁和焦虑症状。超过80%的人赞赏沙特政府和大使馆为满足在国外及沙特阿拉伯接受隔离的学生的心理健康需求所做出的回应。
新冠疫情对全球心理健康构成了前所未有的威胁。在新冠疫情期间身处国外的研究参与者中有三分之二报告有焦虑或抑郁症状。与家人和朋友分离与孤独感和心理困扰的增加显著相关。这些及其他研究结果凸显了消除阻碍在线心理健康服务便捷获取、社会和家庭支持以及及时提供资源的障碍的必要性。
