Predictors of depression, anxiety and stress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: The results of an online survey in Serbia

  • Ana Opanković dr
  • Milan Latas
  • Ivan Ristic
  • Stefan Jerotic
  • Zoran Bukumiric
  • Nikola Lalovic
  • Srdjan Milovanovic
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/engrami43-36920
Keywords: mental health, COVID-19, DASS

Abstract


Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of the population worldwide.

Aim: Assessment of risk factors for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: An online survey including 161 participants was conducted in a population of both healthy participants and people who tested positive to COVID-19. The survey collected socio-demographic data, knowledge about the pandemic, psychological impact, and mental health status of the participants. The psychological impact on mental health status was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors that increased the likelihood of having symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Results: A total of 63.8 % of participants showed symptoms of anxiety, with 31.6% showing moderate symptoms of anxiety. Symptoms of depression were found in 44.1% of the sample, with 23.7% showing moderate symptoms of depression, according to DASS-21 cut-off criteria. No mental health history, a positive test for COVID-19, physical health status, and time point of assessment were the most significant factors predicting symptoms of depression. In relation to symptoms of anxiety, we observed the importance of physical health, having offspring and testing positive for COVID-19, and being male. Factors that influenced higher degrees of stress were: testing positive for COVID-19, special nutrition, having offspring, and being of low physical health.

Conclusion: Our study indicates that during the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia several factors could be important for the development of stress, depression, and anxiety and can be used as a basis for larger, population-based studies. Based on such future studies, evidence-based preventive mental health measures could be implemented in Serbia.

Author Biographies

Milan Latas

1Clinical Centre of Serbia, Clinic for Psychiatry, Pasterova 2, Belgrade, Serbia, 11000

2University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Subotica 8, Belgrade, Serbia, 11000

Ivan Ristic

Institute of Mental Health, Milana Kasanina 6, Belgrade, Serbia, 11000

Stefan Jerotic

1Clinical Centre of Serbia, Clinic for Psychiatry, Pasterova 2, Belgrade, Serbia, 11000

2University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Subotica 8, Belgrade, Serbia, 11000

Zoran Bukumiric

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Dr Subotica 8, Belgrade, Serbia, 11000

Nikola Lalovic

University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Clinic for Psychiatry, Pasterova 2, Belgrade, Serbia, 11000

 

Srdjan Milovanovic

1 University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Clinic for Psychiatry, Pasterova 2, Belgrade, Serbia, 11000

2 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Dr Subotica 8, Belgrade, Serbia, 11000

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Published
2022/03/21
How to Cite
Opanković, A., Latas, M., Ristic, I., Jerotic, S., Bukumiric, Z., Lalovic, N., & Milovanovic, S. (2022). Predictors of depression, anxiety and stress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: The results of an online survey in Serbia. Engrami, 43(2). https://doi.org/10.5937/engrami43-36920
Issue
Vol. 43 No. 2 (2021)
Section
ORIGINAL ARTICLES