Demographic Factors, COVID-19-related Factors, and PTSD Symptom Clusters: Exploring Associations and Implications for Mental Health

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic was characterized as a continuous traumatic stressor and associated with high levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examines the associations between demographic factors, COVID-19-related factors (fear of COVID-19 and perceived stress), and PTSD, as well as the associations between PTSD and indices of mental health. The participants in the study were university students (n = 322) who completed the PTSD Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5), the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, short forms of the Beck Hopelessness Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. We used multiple regression analyses to determine significant predictors of PTSD and mental health. The results revealed distinctive associations between PTSD symptom clusters and the study’s variables. Perceived stress and fear of COVID-19 emerged as the strongest predictors of all PTSD symptom clusters. Participants who tested positive for COVID-19 reported high levels of intrusive re-experiencing. Age predicted negative alterations in cognition, mood, and hyperarousal. Furthermore, negative alterations in cognition and mood were the most significant predictors of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness, while hyperarousal was a significant predictor of anxiety and depression. The findings suggest that the potential benefits of implementing a rapid assessment of mental health among students at the outset of a disease outbreak can facilitate targeted intervention efforts. In addition, interventions that enhance resilience and coping may serve a protective function in mental health outcomes. Given the central role of maladaptive cognitions in the persistence of PTSD, interventions that focus on enhancing adaptive appraisals may bolster students' capacity to cope with adversity.