AUTHOR=Radovanovic Jovana , Selakovic Viktor , Mihaljevic Olgica , Djordjevic Jelena , Čolović Sofija , Djordjevic Jelena R. , Janjic Vladimir , Jovicic Milena , Veselinovic Sladjana , Vukomanovic Ivana Simic , Janicijevic Katarina , Slovic Zivana , Radovanovic Snezana , Djordjevic Ognjen , Djordjic Milan TITLE=Mental health status and coping strategies during COVID-19 pandemic among university students in Central Serbia JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry VOLUME=14 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1226836 DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1226836 ISSN=1664-0640 ABSTRACT=Background

The objective of this research was to evaluate the occurrence of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as the level of life contentment and coping mechanisms employed by college students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A total of 588 students of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Higher School of Medicine, Kraljevo, University of Kragujevac, Central Serbia, participated in an online cross-sectional survey in the period September–October 2022. Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) was used to measure the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The Coping Questionnaire—a shorter version (Brief Cope Inventories) assesses the coping strategies a person uses in stressful situations, and the 5-item Life Satisfaction Scale is used to examine the level of life satisfaction.

Results

The symptoms of depression were reported by 34.9%, of anxiety by 47.1% and of stress by 44.2%. The type of faculty (p = 0.001), and place of residence (p = 0.036) correlated with depression, gender with anxiety (p = 0.001) and stress (p = 0.015). In terms of coping mechanisms, the most frequently mentioned strategies, based on average scores, were acceptance (5.76), positive interpretation (5.55), humor (5.46).

Conclusion

The adverse impact of COVID-19 was a risk factor for depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. A negative correlation exists between the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and the overall life satisfaction of university students. Offering the necessary assistance through psychological interventions and effective coping techniques is crucial in ensuring the optimal mental health of university students.