Depression, anxiety and stress among Australian nursing and midwifery undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives To assess depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate nursing and midwifery students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify socio-demographic and educational characteristics associated with higher depression, anxiety and stress scores. Methods Cross-sectional study during August–September 2020, using an anonymous, online, self-administered survey. E-mail invitations with a survey link were sent to 2,907 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing suite of courses, offered across four campuses of a single university in Victoria, Australia. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed using the DASS-21. Data on socio-demographic and educational characteristics, self-rated physical health and exposure to COVID-19 were also collected. DASS-21 subscale scores were compared with existing data for various pre-pandemic and COVID-19 samples. Multiple regression was used to investigate factors associated with higher scores on depression, anxiety and stress subscales. Results The response rate was 22% (n=638). Mean scores on all DASS-21 subscales were significantly higher (p<0.001) than means from all comparative sample data. The proportions of students reporting moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were 48.5%, 37.2% and 40.2% respectively. Being a woman, being younger, having completed more years of study and having poorer self-rated general health were all significantly associated (p<0.05) with higher scores on at least one DASS-21 subscale. Conclusions Almost half of participants reported at least moderate symptoms of depression; more than a third reported at least moderate symptoms of anxiety or stress. Poor psychological wellbeing can impact students’ successful completion of their studies and therefore, has implications for nursing and midwifery workforce recruitment and retention. During and after pandemics, universities should consider screening undergraduate students not only for anxiety and stress, but also for depression. Clear, low-cost referral pathways should be available, should screening indicate that further diagnosis or treatment is required.

Nursing and Midwifery Students’ Mental Health Status and Intention to Leave During Covid-19 Pandemic

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Predictors and correlates of Saudi nursing students' grit and positive thinking amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

“…As our findings indicate, it is more crucial than ever to explore the impact of COVID-19 on nurses' and nursing students' use of grit and positive thinking, as rates of nurse suicide and self-harm have increased during the pandemic ( Gao et al, 2021 ). Additionally, reports of stress, anxiety, and depression were reported among Saudi nursing students ( Alsolais et al, 2021 ) and non-Saudi nursing students ( Gao et al, 2021 ; Wynter et al, 2021 ).…”

Changes in nursing educational stress and coping strategies: a longitudinal study in the Czech Republic

“…The COVID-19 pandemic marked a significant increase in the degree of stress, anxiety, and depression in students of nursing (Espina-López et al, 2021; Savitsky et al, 2020; Tanji and Kodama, 2021; Wynter et al, 2021). In connection with the declining number of students and the global shortage of nurses, this may be a significant phenomenon requiring a more rigorous analysis (Melo et al, 2010).…”