Psychological correlates of stress among Nigerian high school adolescents during the third wave of COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • T. Opakunle
  • I. Oloniniyi
  • O. Aloba
  • O. Opakunle
  • A. Akinsulore
  • O. Ibigbami
  • C. Nwozo

Keywords:

COVID-19, third wave, stress, Nigerian adolescents

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the mental health of adolescents. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence and psychological correlates of stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic among high school adolescents in Nigeria.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive online study involving 1008 Nigerian adolescents. Respondents completed study-specific sociodemographic questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale– 21, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale-10, Paediatric Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction, Insomnia Severity Index-7, Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised, Drug Abuse Screening Test -10.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 15.60 (SD 1.24) years. The prevalence of stress was 61.6%, while the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 57.4% and 50.8%, respectively. There were statistically significant positive correlations between stress and anxiety (rp = 0.669, P = <0.001), depression (rp = 0.612, P = <0.001), insomnia (rp =0.355, P =<0.001), suicidal tendencies (rp = 0.257, P  = <0.001), drug abuse (rp = 0.251, P =<0.001) as well as between stress and age (rp = 0.129, P = <0.001). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between stress and quality of life (rp = -0.375, P = <0.001). The adolescents undergoing abnormal stress had higher odds of experiencing higher anxiety levels and depression.

Conclusion: Stress is associated with anxiety, depression, insomnia, substance abuse, suicidal behaviours, and reduced quality of life among Nigerian adolescents. Hence, there is a need to plan adolescent-centered mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Published

2023-10-11

How to Cite

Opakunle , T., Oloniniyi, I., Aloba, O., Opakunle, O., Akinsulore, A., Ibigbami, O., & Nwozo, C. (2023). Psychological correlates of stress among Nigerian high school adolescents during the third wave of COVID-19 Pandemic. Research Journal of Health Sciences, 10(3), 236–244. Retrieved from https://rjhs.org/index.php/home/article/view/326

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 3 (2022): Research Journal of Health Sciences

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Original Article

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