Fear of Corona and Depression in Graduate Students; Mediating Role of Stress and Anxiety.

Abstract

Suicide is more likely in those who suffer from depression, which is a debilitating condition. College students and recent graduates from countries where the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been particularly severe are particularly at risk because of the rigorous lockdown measures they confront and the limited resources they have to deal with it. The study's goal was to determine how much depression, stress and anxiety graduates experienced during lockdown due to the dread of the COVID-19 pandemic virus. A total of 120 graduates (44% females, 56% males) between 20 and 38 years old were surveyed. The sample involved 68% of students from public universities and 32% from private universities. It was found that the average levels of depression, stress, and anxiety were all higher than those considered normal. Fear of COVID was linked to depression, stress, and anxiety in a statistically positive relationship. The dread of COVID and depression are inextricably linked through the mediating role of anxiety and stress. In addition, there was no difference in males' and females' degrees of fear of COVID-19 and depression. The findings of this study illustrate the critical role that fear, stress, and anxiety play in the onset of depressive symptoms and how they might be taken into account in programs aimed at avoiding and treating this disorder. Some general techniques for minimizing stress and fear of COVID-19 are proposed, as are programs geared specifically to regulate and overcome graduate anxiety.