Cross-sectional survey of depressive symptoms and suicide-related ideation at a Japanese national university during the COVID-19 stay-home order.
10.1186/s12199-021-00953-1
- Author:
Kyoko NOMURA
1
;
Sachiko MINAMIZONO
2
;
Eri MAEDA
2
;
Roseline KIM
2
;
Toyoto IWATA
2
;
Junko HIRAYAMA
2
;
Kyoichi ONO
3
;
Masahito FUSHIMI
4
;
Takeshi GOTO
4
;
Kazuo MISHIMA
5
;
Fumio YAMAMOTO
4
Author Information
1. Department of Environmental Health Science and Public Health, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan. knomura@med.akita-u.ac.jp.
2. Department of Environmental Health Science and Public Health, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.
3. Department of Cell Physiology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.
4. Akita University, Akita, Japan.
5. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
COVID-19 pandemic;
Depressive symptoms;
Stay-home order;
Suicide-related ideation;
University students
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Alcohol Drinking;
COVID-19/psychology*;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Depression/epidemiology*;
Female;
Humans;
Japan/epidemiology*;
Logistic Models;
Male;
Multivariate Analysis;
Pandemics;
Risk Factors;
Smoking;
Students/psychology*;
Suicidal Ideation;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Young Adult
- From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
2021;26(1):30-30
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:We aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms as well as suicide-related ideation among Japanese university students during the stay-home order necessitated by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Japan, and offer evidence in support of future intervention to depression and suicide prevention strategies among college and university students.
METHODS:The data for this cross-sectional study were derived from the Student Mental Health Survey conducted from May 20 to June 16, 2020 at a national university in Akita prefecture. Among the 5111 students recruited, 2712 participated in this study (response rate, 53%; mean age ± standard deviation, 20.5 ±3.5 years; men, 53.8%). Depressive symptoms were identified by using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
RESULTS:The prevalence of moderate depressive symptoms based on a PHQ-9 score ≥10 and suicide-related ideation based on question 9 of PHQ-9 ≥1, which encompasses thoughts of both suicide and self-harm, was 11.7% and 6.7%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that risk factors for depression included being a woman, smoking, alcohol consumption, and social network communication using either video or voice. For suicide-related ideation, alcohol consumption was the only risk factor. Exercise and having someone to consult about worries were associated with decreased risk of both depressive symptoms and suicide-related ideation.
CONCLUSIONS:Negative lifestyles of smoking and drinking, and being a woman, may be important risk factors for depressive symptoms, whereas exercise and having someone to consult about worries may be protective factors.
