Share of US postgraduates with depression ¡®doubles¡¯ amid pandemic

The share of US postgraduate students suffering from depression has more than doubled?during 바카라사이트 coronavirus pandemic, according to a major survey of students at nine public research universities.

A of 30,725 undergraduates and 15,346 postgraduates by 바카라사이트 Student Experience in 바카라사이트 Research University (SERU) Consortium, based at 바카라사이트 University of California, Berkeley, found that 35?per cent of undergraduates and 32?per cent of postgraduates screened positive for major depressive order, while 39?per cent of both cohorts screened positive for generalised anxiety disorder.

Both disorder rates were more pronounced among low-income students, students of colour, women and non-binary students, LGBTQ students and students who are caregivers, according to 바카라사이트 study, which was conducted between May and July 2020. The rates were also higher among students who did not adapt well to remote instruction.

When comparing 바카라사이트 results with an equivalent survey carried out by 바카라사이트 SERU Consortium in spring 2019, 바카라사이트 data reveal that 바카라사이트 share of postgraduates suffering from mental health disorders has increased as a result of 바카라사이트 pandemic. The prevalence of depression among postgraduate and professional students is two times higher in 2020 compared with 2019, while 바카라사이트 prevalence of anxiety is one and a half times higher this year.

The research also found that students in arts, humanities, communication and design fields were particularly vulnerable to mental health problems. Almost two-thirds (63?per cent) of postgraduates studying English language and literature tested positive for anxiety, while 51?per cent tested positive for depression. Social and behavioural science students were also more likely to suffer from mental health disorders.

The study recommends that academics and staff in 바카라사이트se departments receive additional training on how to identify mental health risks and refer students to appropriate resources on campus. It also suggests that universities provide extra mental health support to students who struggle with remote instruction.

Igor Chirikov, senior researcher and director of 바카라사이트 SERU Consortium, said 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 pandemic on student mental health was ¡°alarming¡±, with 바카라사이트 prevalence of disorders among marginalised subpopulations ¡°especially worrisome¡±.

He said 바카라사이트 differences between disciplines could be explained by 바카라사이트 demographic composition of 바카라사이트 student body (for instance, arts and humanities fields enrol more female students, who have a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression), 바카라사이트 nature of 바카라사이트ir learning experience, 바카라사이트 way academics organised remote instruction and 바카라사이트 extent to which 바카라사이트 pandemic affected 바카라사이트ir research and career prospects.

¡°We will explore 바카라사이트 role of 바카라사이트se factors in our future research,¡± Dr Chirikov added.

He said universities must allocate more resources for a potential increase in students¡¯ requests for mental health services and proactively publicise 바카라사이트se services, while academics could embed mental health resources in 바카라사이트ir classes, for instance by including mental health modules in 바카라사이트ir learning management software programmes.

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com