Depression and anxiety are prevalent mental illnesses among young people. Crisis like the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may increase the current prevalence of these illnesses. A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used to (1) explore the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among youth and (2) 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 from Oman (n=155), Saudi Arabia (n=121), Jordan (n=332), Iraq (n=117), United Arab Emirates (n=147), and Egypt (n=182) completed the study. 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. In conclusion, COVID-19 is an epidemiological crisis that is casting a shadow on youths’ DAS. The restrictions and prolonged lockdowns imposed by COVID-19 are negatively impacting their level of DAS. Healthcare organisations, in collaboration with various sectors, are recommended to apply psychological first aid and design appropriate educational programmes to improve the mental health of youth.

Objective: the aim was to evaluate nurses’ self-efficacy, confidence and nurse-patient interaction during caring of patients with COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional design with online survey was used with a Self-efficacy scale, Self-confidence scale and Caring nurse-patient interaction scale: 23- item Version–Nurse (CNPI-23 N). Results: A sample of 120 nurses participated in the current study. The results showed that the participants had a moderate level of self-efficacy, self-confidence and interaction (M = 28.84 (SD= 7.7), M =47.41 (SD= 9.0) and M= 93.59 (SD=16.3) respectively). Positive relationships were found between nurse’ self-efficacy, self-confidence and nurse-patient interaction (r = 0.81, P < 0.0001 and 0.79, P ＜0.0001 respectively). Significant differences were found in self-efficacy according to years of experience, academic qualifications and position (F = 2.10, P = 0.003, F = 3.60, P = 0.002 and F = 2.60, P =0.007 respectively). Furthermore, the results indicated that there was a significant difference in self-confidence and nurse-patient interaction also. Conclusion: Nurse educators and administrators should develop and implement further strategies such as continuing education and training, compensatory payment, organizational support and availability of protective measures to increase their self-efficacy, self-confidence and interaction with COVID-19 patients.

Purpose This study aimed to explore the associated factors of stigma towards people with mental illness among Omani school and university students. Design and Method A cross‐sectional study among 371 school and university students with a multivariable linear regression model to identify the associated factors of personal and perceptions of stigma. Results Male students, those with highly educated mothers, have high monthly income, higher mental health knowledge, employed fathers, and received focused education on mental illness showed fewer stigmatizing attitudes. Implications for Practice Enhancing the knowledge about mental illness among school and university students and their families can play a significant role in reversing stigma.

Background: Frequent surfing on the internet for self-diagnosis and treatment in association with quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic leaves people with uncertainty and psychological distress. The aim was to explore the relationship between cyberchondria, psychological distress, and uncertainty in Oman. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was designed. Data was collected through an online survey from 393 Omani participants using the short-form version of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Descriptive and correlational analyses were conducted.Results: The majority of the participants were aged between 18-26 and 45-54 years (32.8% and 30.8% respectively). Almost three-quarters of the participants were female (n= 291, 74%) and half were single (n= 218, 55.5%). No significant associations were found between cyberchondria and the socio-demographic factors or the COVID-19 status. However, significant positive fair correlation was found between cyberchondriac experiences and psychological distress (rs =0.373), and cyberchondria and uncertainty (rs = 0.442).Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind investigating the relationship between cyberchondria, physiological distress, and uncertainty in the Omani population. Policy makers and stakeholders are encouraged to facilitate the reporting and observation of accurate and up-to-date information distributed to the population to avoid misleading information, and thus reduce the distress and uncertainty related to cyberchondriac behaviors.

To investigate young Jordanians' knowledge and attitudes toward people who have a mental illness. Methods: A cross sectional design was utilised. A convenient sample of 858 participants aged between 15-24 years old completed a survey. Participants under 19 years were accessed through their schools and those 19 years and above were accessed through universities. Results: Although the majority of university and school students' responses were generally consistent, they disagreed on 11 items on the survey; for example, 186 (39.3 %) of university students agreed that mental illness has a biological origin compared with only 119 (30%) of school students. The majority of young people 737 (85.9 %) were willing to learn and 792 (92.3%) felt that they have to help people with mental illness, which make them willing to learn. Conclusion: The findings provide insights for decision makers and researchers in Jordan about young peoples' knowledge and attitudes towards mental illness. Increasing young adults' literacy through introducing educational programs such as mental health first aid courses will enrich their knowledge; help change attitudes and reduce stigma towards people living with mental illness.