A total of 1,027 participants have taken part in the study including 456 adolescents (M = 200; F = 256); 347 young adults (M = 124; F = 223) and 224 middle-aged adults (M = 103; F = 121). The mean age of male females was found to be comparable among all across the groups. In the adolescent age group majority were students of intermediate (Table 1-a).
Table 1
Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Study Participants.
|
Adolescents
up to 19
years.
(n = 456)
|
Young-Adults
20–39 years.
(n = 347)
|
Middle-Age-Adults
40–60 years.
(n = 224)
|
M
(n = 200)
|
F
(n = 256)
|
M
(n = 124)
|
F
(n = 223)
|
M
(n = 103)
|
F
(n = 121)
|
Mean age in years (SD)
|
15.10 (1.81)
|
15.18 (1.68)
|
28.93 (5.62)
|
27.59 (5.37)
|
48.40 (6.58)
|
48.19
(6.23)
|
Educational qualification (SD)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
< 10 STD
|
76
(38.0)
|
103 (40.2)
|
0
-
|
1
(0.5)
|
0
-
|
0
-
|
10–12
|
119 (59.5)
|
141 (55.1)
|
12
(9.7)
|
11
(4.9)
|
2
(1.9)
|
1
(0.8)
|
Bachelors
|
3
(1.5)
|
12
(4.7)
|
45
(36.3)
|
66
(29.6)
|
34
(33.0)
|
12
(9.9)
|
Masters and/or above
|
2
(1.0)
|
0
-
|
67
(54.0)
|
145 (65.0)
|
67
(65.0)
|
108
(89.3)
|
Occupation
(SD)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
School
|
167 (83.5)
|
216 (84.4)
|
0
-
|
0
-
|
0
-
|
0
-
|
College
|
32
(16.0)
|
40
(15.6)
|
34
(27.4)
|
96
(43)
|
0
-
|
0
-
|
Service
|
0
|
0
|
67
(54.0)
|
95
(42.6)
|
78
(75.7)
|
76
(62.8)
|
Business
|
0
|
0
|
7
(5)
|
6
(2.7)
|
15
(14.6)
|
11
(9.0)
|
Housewife
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
16
(7.2)
|
0
-
|
34
(28.1)
|
Unemployed
|
0
|
0
|
17
(13.7)
|
10
(4.5)
|
10
(9.7)
|
0
-
|
Table 2
Comparisons of comprehensive mental health facets across age and gender groups
Variables
|
Adolescents (N = 456)
No
[%]
|
Young Adults (N = 347)
No
[%]
|
Mid Adults (N = 224)
No
[%]
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
M
N = 200
(43.8%)
|
F
N = 256
(56.2%)
|
T
N = 456
|
M
N = 124
(35.7%)
|
F
N = 223
(64.3%)
|
T
N = 347
|
M
N = 103
(45.9%)
|
F
N = 121
(54.1%)
|
T
N = 224
|
X2
Ad vsY
|
X2
Y vs MA
|
X2
MA vs A
|
1.Depression
|
P
|
94
(46.75%)
|
135
(52.55%)
|
229
(50.2%)
|
53
(42.75%)
|
96
(43.05%)
|
149
(42.9%)
|
30
(28.65%)
|
34
(28.1%)
|
64
(26.4%)
|
4.19*
(.041)
|
12.01**
(.000)
|
28.7**
(.000)
|
A
|
106
(53.25%)
|
121
(47.45%)
|
227
(49.8%)
|
71
(57.25%)
|
127
(56.95%)
|
198
(57.1%)
|
73
(71.3%)
|
87
(71.9%)
|
160
(73.6%)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Within group
(M vs F)
|
1.46
(.224)
|
0.003
(.955)
|
0.02
(.865)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Total
(M vs F)
|
0.749
(.386)
|
2.Anger
|
P
|
85
(42.5%)
|
126
(49.2%)
|
211
(46.2%)
|
48
(38.7%)
|
98
(43.9%)
|
146
(42%)
|
26
(25.3%)
|
31
(25.6%)
|
57
(25.4%)
|
1.40
(.235)
|
16.4**
(.000)
|
27.2**
(.000)
|
A
|
115
(57.5%)
|
130
(50.8%)
|
245
(53.8%)
|
76
(61.3%)
|
125
(56.1%)
|
201
(58%)
|
77
(74.7%)
|
90
(74.4%)
|
167
(74.6%)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Within group
(M vs F)
|
2.038
(.153)
|
0.896
(.343)
|
0.004
(.948)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Total
(M vs F)
|
2.873
(.090)
|
3.Anxiety
|
P
|
73
(36.5%)
|
114
(44.5%)
|
187
(41%)
|
47
(37.9%)
|
80
(35.9%
|
127
(36.5%)
|
29
(28.2%)
|
30
(24.8%)
|
59
(26.3%)
|
1.60
(.204)
|
6.52*
(.01)
|
14**
(.000)
|
A
|
127
(63.5%)
|
142
(55.5%)
|
269
(59%)
|
77
(62.1%)
|
143
(64.1%)
|
220
(63.5%)
|
74
(71.8%)
|
91
(75.2%)
|
165
(73.7%)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Within group
(M vs F)
|
2.99
(.083)
|
0.141
(.706)
|
0.324
(.569)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Total
(M vs F)
|
0.641
(.423)
|
Somatic
|
P
|
94
(47%)
|
135
(52.8%)
|
229
(50.2%)
|
53
(42.8%)
|
96
(43.1%)
|
149
(42.9%)
|
30
(29.2%)
|
34
(28.1%)
|
64
(26.4%)
|
4.19*
(0.04)
|
12.01**
(.000)
|
28.7**
(.000)
|
A
|
106
(53%)
|
121
(47.2%)
|
227
(49.8%)
|
71
(57.2%)
|
127
(56.9%)
|
198
(57.1%)
|
73
(70.8%)
|
87
(71.9%)
|
160
(73.6%)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Within group
(M vs F)
|
1.47
(.224)
|
0.003
(.955)
|
0.02
(.865)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Total
(M vs F)
|
0.749
(.386)
|
Suicidal Ideation
|
P
|
50
(25%)
|
98
(38.3%)
|
148
(32.46%)
|
39
(31.5%)
|
46
(20.6%)
|
85
(24.5%)
|
28
(27.2%)
|
26
(21.5%)
|
54
(24.11%)
|
6.06*
(.014)
|
0.011
(.916)
|
5.01*
(.025)
|
A
|
150
(75%)
|
158
(61.7%)
|
308
(67.54%)
|
85
(68.5%)
|
177
(79.4%)
|
262
(75.5%)
|
75
(72.8%)
|
95
(78.5%)
|
170
(75.89%)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Within group
(M vs F)
|
9.03**
(.003)
|
5.05*
(.025)
|
0.99
(.32)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Total
(M vs F)
|
0.11
(.743)
|
Sleep
|
P
|
51
(25.5%)
|
101
(39.5%)
|
152
(33.3%)
|
40
(32.3%)
|
58
(26.1%)
|
98
(28.2%)
|
27
(26.3%)
|
30
(24.8%)
|
57
(25.4%)
|
2.38
(.122)
|
0.538
(.463)
|
4.38*
(.030)
|
A
|
149
(74.5%)
|
155
(60.5%)
|
304
(66.7%)
|
84
(67.7%)
|
165
(73.9%)
|
249
(71.8%)
|
76
(73.7%)
|
91
(75.2%)
|
167
(74.6%)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Within group
(M vs F)
|
9.83**
(.000)
|
1.535
(.215)
|
0.050
(.807)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Total
(M vs F)
|
1.778
(.182)
|
Memory
|
P
|
46
(23%)
|
75
(29.2%)
|
121
(26.5%)
|
32
(25.8%)
|
31
(14%)
|
63
(18.2%)
|
17
(16.5%)
|
18
(14.8%)
|
35
(15.7%)
|
7.83**
(.005)
|
0.613
(.433)
|
10.11**
(.001)
|
A
|
154
(77%)
|
181
(70.8%)
|
335
(73.5%)
|
92
(74.25)
|
192
(86%)
|
284
(81.8%)
|
86
(83.5%)
|
103
(85.2%)
|
189
(84.3%)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Within group
(M vs F)
|
2.28
(.130)
|
7.60**
(.005)
|
0.112
(.737)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Total
(M vs F)
|
1.778
(.182)
|
Repetitive Thoughts/
Actions
|
P
|
52
(26%)
|
79
(30.9%)
|
131
(28.7%)
|
32
(25.9%)
|
46
(20.6%)
|
78
(22.4%)
|
21
(20.4%)
|
15
(12.4%)
|
36
(16%)
|
3.99*
(0.04)
|
3.49
(.061)
|
12.98**
(.000)
|
A
|
148
(74%)
|
177
(69.1%)
|
325
(71.3%)
|
92
(74.1%)
|
177
(79.4%)
|
269
(77.6%)
|
82
(79.65)
|
106
(87.6%)
|
188
(84%)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Within group
(M vs F)
|
1.29
(.255)
|
1.22
(.268)
|
2.63
(.14)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Total
(M vs F)
|
0.216
(.641)
|
Dissociation
|
P
|
44
(22%)
|
83
(32.4%)
|
127
(27.8%)
|
34
(27.5%)
|
35
(15.7%)
|
69
(19.8%)
|
16
(15.5%)
|
16
(13.3%)
|
32
(14.2%)
|
6.77**
(.000)
|
2.93
(.089)
|
15.49**
(.000)
|
A
|
156
(78%)
|
173
(67.6%)
|
329
(72.2%)
|
90
(72.5%)
|
188
(84.3%)
|
278
(80.2%)
|
87
(84.4%)
|
105
(86.7%)
|
192
(85.8%)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Within group
(M vs F)
|
6.06*
(.013)
|
6.87**
(.000)
|
0.24
(.622)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Total
(M vs F)
|
0.014
(.903)
|
Personality
|
P
|
55
(27.5%)
|
102
(39.9%)
|
157
(34.4%)
|
39
(31.5%)
|
53
(23.8%)
|
92
(26.5%)
|
20
(19.5%)
|
17
(14.1%)
|
37
(16.5%)
|
5.77**
(.01)
|
7.77**
(.000)
|
23.6**
(.000)
|
A
|
145
(72.5%)
|
154
(60.1%)
|
299
(65.6%)
|
85
(68.5%)
|
170
(76.25)
|
255
(73.5%)
|
83
(80.5%)
|
104
(85.9%)
|
187
(83.5%)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Within group
(M vs F)
|
7.57**
(.005)
|
2.41
(.120)
|
1.16
(.280)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Total
(M vs F)
|
0.481
(.487)
|
Substance Use
|
P
|
30
(15%)
|
28
(10.94%)
|
58
(12.72%)
|
44
(35.48%)
|
30
(13.45%)
|
74
(21.33%)
|
34
(33%)
|
27
(22.31%)
|
61
(27.23%)
|
10.63**
(.0011)
|
2.6306
(.105)
|
21.91**
(.000)
|
A
|
170
(85%)
|
228
(89.06%)
|
398
(87.28%)
|
80
(64.52%)
|
193
(86.55%)
|
273
(78.67%)
|
69
(67%)
|
94
(77.69%)
|
163
(72.77%)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Within group
(M vs F)
|
1.67
(.196)
|
23.05**
(.000)
|
3.21
(.073)
|
X2
(df = 1)
|
Total
(M vs F)
|
20.24**
(.000)
|
Note: Ad = Adolescents; Y = Young Adults; MA = Mid Adults; M = Males ; F = Females; * = p < 0.05; ** = p < 0.01
|
Table 3. Correlations between Mental Health Domains, Coping and Perceived Stress
Correlates
|
Depression
|
Anxiety
|
Somatic
Concern
|
Repetitive
Thoughts
|
Personality
Changes
|
Suicidal
Ideations
|
Sleep
|
Memory
|
Substance
Use
|
Substance Use
|
.243**
|
.297**
|
.370**
|
.404**
|
.360**
|
.451**
|
.372**
|
.397
|
1
|
Perceived Stress
|
.587**
|
.601**
|
.445**
|
.490**
|
.523**
|
.425*
|
.418**
|
.386**
|
.96*
|
Adaptive Coping
|
.052
|
.110**
|
0.50
|
.015
|
-.014
|
-.031
|
.001
|
-.001
|
.022
|
Maladaptive Coping
|
.352**
|
.382**
|
.352**
|
.415**
|
.432**
|
.431**
|
.338**
|
.347**
|
.359**
|
Age
|
-.176**
|
-.090**
|
-.028
|
-.086**
|
-.104**
|
-.082**
|
-.038
|
-.074*
|
.139**
|
Impact of COVID
|
.348**
|
.302**
|
.270**
|
.289**
|
.295**
|
.228**
|
.233**
|
.251**
|
.062*
|
Note: * = p<0.05; ** = p<0.01; *** = p<0.00
Table 4
Outcome Variable
|
Predictor Variable
|
β
|
t
|
R
|
R2
|
F
|
S.E.
|
Depression
|
Model
|
|
|
.614
|
.367
|
38.125***
|
.059
|
Perceived Stress
|
.310
|
10.982**
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of COVID
|
.148
|
5.518**
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Distraction
|
.145
|
5.126**
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Blaming
|
.134
|
4.361**
|
|
|
|
|
Religion
|
− .114
|
-3.887**
|
|
|
|
|
Age
|
− .092
|
-3.411**
|
|
|
|
|
Behavioural Disengagement
|
.098
|
3.213**
|
|
|
|
|
Emotional Support
|
− .078
|
-2.611**
|
|
|
|
|
Denial
|
.063
|
2.250*
|
|
|
|
|
Anxiety
|
Model
|
|
|
.631
|
.389
|
41.827***
|
.063
|
Perceived Stress
|
.332
|
11.977**
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Blaming
|
.196
|
6.493**
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Distraction
|
.156
|
5.628**
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of COVID
|
.113
|
4.273**
|
|
|
|
|
Behavioural Disengagement
|
.120
|
4.011**
|
|
|
|
|
Religion
|
− .078
|
-2.681*
|
|
|
|
|
Emotional Support
|
− .063
|
-2.133*
|
|
|
|
|
Suicidal Ideation
|
Model
|
|
|
.534
|
.274
|
25.237***
|
.068
|
Self-Blaming
|
.265
|
8.069**
|
|
|
|
|
Behavioural Disengagement
|
.144
|
4.415**
|
|
|
|
|
Perceived Stress
|
.103
|
3.399**
|
|
|
|
|
Active Coping
|
− .089
|
-2.786*
|
|
|
|
|
Denial
|
.084
|
2.786*
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Distraction
|
.079
|
2.623*
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of COVID
|
.063
|
2.178*
|
|
|
|
|
Anger
|
Model
|
|
|
.644
|
.406
|
44.786***
|
.060
|
Perceived Stress
|
.326
|
11.941**
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Blaming
|
.170
|
5.705**
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Distraction
|
.150
|
5.503**
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of COVID
|
.131
|
5.023**
|
|
|
|
|
Age
|
− .082
|
-3.134**
|
|
|
|
|
Behavioural Disengagement
|
.084
|
2.865**
|
|
|
|
|
Gender
|
.053
|
2.109*
|
|
|
|
|
Emotional Support
|
− .060
|
-2.076*
|
|
|
|
|
Somatic Concern
|
Model
|
|
|
.504
|
.242
|
21.482***
|
.060
|
Perceived Stress
|
.212
|
6.881**
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of COVID
|
.122
|
4.143**
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Blaming
|
.123
|
3.659**
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Distraction
|
.097
|
3.151**
|
|
|
|
|
Behavioural Disengagement
|
.121
|
3.096**
|
|
|
|
|
Emotional Support
|
− .102
|
-3.096**
|
|
|
|
|
Religion
|
− .087
|
-2.711*
|
|
|
|
|
Substance Use as Coping
|
.079
|
2.558*
|
|
|
|
|
Gender
|
.067
|
2.349*
|
|
|
|
|
Sleep Problem
|
Model
|
|
|
.470
|
.208
|
17.854***
|
.059
|
Perceived Stress
|
.193
|
6.124**
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Blaming
|
.138
|
4.033**
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Distraction
|
.104
|
3.286**
|
|
|
|
|
Religion
|
− .105
|
-3.188**
|
|
|
|
|
Behavioural Disengagement
|
.103
|
3.039**
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of COVID
|
.086
|
2.866**
|
|
|
|
|
Memory
|
Model
|
|
|
.468
|
.219
|
17.749***
|
.065
|
Self-Blaming
|
.214
|
6.228**
|
|
|
|
|
Perceived Stress
|
.138
|
4.369**
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of COVID
|
.112
|
3.734**
|
|
|
|
|
Religion
|
− .077
|
-2.332*
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Distraction
|
.070
|
2.228*
|
|
|
|
|
Repetitive Thoughts/Actions
|
Model
|
|
|
.569
|
.313
|
30.281***
|
.064
|
Self-Blaming
|
.241
|
7.528**
|
|
|
|
|
Perceived Stress
|
.182
|
6.197**
|
|
|
|
|
Behavioural Disengagement
|
.149
|
4.690**
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Distraction
|
.106
|
3.601**
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of COVID
|
.098
|
3.506**
|
|
|
|
|
Religion
|
− .090
|
-2.923**
|
|
|
|
|
Denial
|
.082
|
2.803*
|
|
|
|
|
Emotional Support
|
− .082
|
-2.616*
|
|
|
|
|
Personality Disturbances
|
Model
|
|
|
.633
|
.391
|
42.211***
|
.065
|
Self-Blaming
|
.312
|
10.358**
|
|
|
|
|
Perceived Stress
|
.222
|
8.031**
|
|
|
|
|
Behavioural Disengagement
|
.159
|
5.330**
|
|
|
|
|
Emotional Support
|
− .128
|
-4.330**
|
|
|
|
|
Religion
|
− .100
|
-3.458**
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Distraction
|
.093
|
3.369**
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of COVID
|
.056
|
2.112*
|
|
|
|
|
Age
|
− .051
|
-1.918*
|
|
|
|
|
Dissociation
|
Model
|
|
|
.548
|
.289
|
27.082***
|
.067
|
Self-Blaming
|
.232
|
7.145**
|
|
|
|
|
Behavioural Disengagement
|
.182
|
5.642**
|
|
|
|
|
Perceived Stress
|
.153
|
5.134**
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of COVID
|
.098
|
3.443**
|
|
|
|
|
Emotional Support
|
− .092
|
-2.891**
|
|
|
|
|
Religion
|
− .082
|
-2.634*
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Distraction
|
.074
|
2.485*
|
|
|
|
|
Total Substance Use
|
Model
|
|
|
.481
|
.220
|
19.035***
|
.104
|
Substance Use as Coping
|
.371
|
11.903**
|
|
|
|
|
Denial
|
.093
|
2.980**
|
|
|
|
|
Perceived Stress
|
.072
|
2.306*
|
|
|
|
|
Positive Reframing
|
− .069
|
-2.096**
|
|
|
|
|
Note: Model = Self-Distraction, Denial, Substance Use as Coping, Positive Reframing, Self-Blaming, Behavioural Disengagement, Active Coping, Emotional Support, Instrumental Support, Religion, Acceptance, Venting, Perceived Stress, Age, Gender, Impact of COVID
* = p < .05; ** = p < .01; *** = p = .000
|
Comparison of mental health facets among adolescents and adults
Our results show that among those who had significant problems, 33.77% of adolescents, 25.65% of young adults, and 17.41% of middle-aged adults reported that their symptoms started during the pandemic. Whereas, 20.61% of adolescents, 21.04% young adults, and 11.61% middle-age adults reported worsening symptoms during the pandemic.
Depression- Significantly higher (p < 0.05), percentages of Adolescents were (50.2%) found to have depression compared to young adults (42.9%) and middle-aged adults (26.4%), with 14%, 8.7%, and 3.4% respectively reporting Severe symptoms.
Anger- Significantly (p < 0.01) higher percentages of Adolescents (46.2%) and young adults (42.0%)were found to have anger compared to middle-aged adults (25.4%), with 15.1%, 7.7%, and 4.4% respectively reporting Severe symptoms.
Anxiety- 36.5% of Young Adults and 26.3% of Middle Age Adults reported significant anxiety levels, with 13.1%, 11.5%, and 5.8% respectively reporting Severe symptoms.
Suicidal Ideation: Significantly higher percentages of adolescents i.e., 32.46%, 24.5% of Young Adults, and 24.11% of Middle Age Adults, reported significant levels of Suicidal Ideation, with 8.11%, 4.61%, and 1.34% respectively reporting Severe symptoms.
Somatic Complaints- 50.2% of Adolescents, 42.9% of Young Adults, and 26.4% of Middle Age Adults reported significant levels of Somatic Complaints, with 14%, 8.7%, and 3.4% respectively reporting Severe symptoms.
Sleep − 33.3% of Adolescents, 28.2% of Young Adults, and 25.4% of Middle Age Adults reported significant sleep disturbances, with 10.3%, 8.5%, and 4.9% respectively reporting Severe symptoms.
Memory – In the memory domain, significant differences were found between Adolescents and Young Adults were 26.5% of Adolescents, 18.2% of Young Adults, and 15.7% of Middle Age Adults reported significant levels of Memory problems, with 9.21%, 4.32%, and 2.68% respectively reporting Severe symptoms.
Repetitive Thoughts/Behaviours- Higher percentages of adolescents i.e., 28.7%, 22.4% of Young Adults, and 16.4% of Middle Age Adults, reported significant Repetitive Thoughts and Actions 12.3%, 6%, and 2.1%, respectively, reporting Severe symptoms.
Dissociative experience- 27.8% of Adolescents, 19.8% of Young Adults, and 14.2% of Middle Age Adults reported significant levels of dissociation, with 12.1%, 4.6%, and 1.7% respectively reporting Severe symptoms.
Personality Changes- Significantly higher percentages of Adolescents (34.4%), 26.5% of Young Adults, and 16.5% of Middle Age Adults reported some form of Personality Disturbances, with 14.7%, 8.1%, and 2.2% respectively reporting Severe symptoms.
Substance use: Our results showed that compared to Adolescents (12.72%), a significantly higher proportion of Young Adults (21.33%) and Middle Age Adults (27.23%) reported being bothered due to some or the other substance use including alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. 3.1% Adolescents, 6.1% Young Adults, and 3.6% Middle Age Adults reported Sever level of symptoms.
Gender wise analysis of mental health facets:
The differences between males and females in mental health facets were statistically insignificant on most domains, i.e., depression, anger, anxiety, somatic complaints, suicidal ideation, repetitive thoughts and actions, dissociation, memory, and personality disturbances. Among those who reported symptoms, our results show that 28.57% of males and 26.67% of females reported that their symptoms started during the pandemic. In addition, 18.97% of males and 18.67% of females reported worsening of symptoms during the COVID19 pandemic.
Depression: Table 2 shows that 41.5% of Males and 44.2% of Females reported significant symptoms.
Anger: Table 2 shows that 36.8% of Males and 46.5% of Females reported significant symptoms.
Anxiety: 34.9% Males and 37.4% Females reported significant symptoms.
Somatic Complaints: 41.2% Males and 44.2% Females reported significant symptoms.
Sleep – Significantly higher percentages of females (39.9%) in the adolescent group were found to have sleep disturbances compared to their counterparts (25.5%), with 27.7% Males and 31.5% Females reported significant symptoms. Moreover, 36.8% of Males and 46.5% of Females reported significant symptoms.
Suicidal Ideation: 27.4% Males and 28.33% Females reported suicidal ideations.
Memory – No overall gender variation was found; however, within Young Adults, more males (25.8%) reported memory problems than females (14%). Moreover, 27.7% of Males and 31.7% of Females reported significant symptoms.
Repetitive Thoughts/Behaviours- 22.1% Males and 22.4% Females reported significant symptoms.
Dissociative experience- 24.6% Males and 23.4% Females reported significant symptoms. Significantly (p < 0.01), higher percentages of females (32.4%) in the adolescent group and males in the young adult (27.5%) group were found to have dissociative experiences as compared to their counterparts (22.0% & 15.7% respectively).
Personality Disturbance- 26.7% Males and 28.7% Females reported significant symptoms. Significantly higher percentages of females (39.9%) in adolescent groups were found to have personality changes compared to their counterparts (27.5%).
Substance use: Males and Females also differed with more Males (25.29%) reported Substance Use compared to Females (14.17%) where 5.4% Males and 3.3% Females reported Severe symptoms. Gender differences were found within the Young Adult group as well, with Males (35.48%) reporting more substance use than their Female (13.45%) counterparts.
Correlations between Mental Health, Age, Coping and Perceived Stress.
The correlational analysis showed ‘age’ was negatively associated with depression anxiety, repetitive thoughts, personality changes, suicidal ideations and memory, and positively associated with ‘substance use’ at low levels. There was moderate positive correlations between perceived stress and all the mental health domains. All mental health domains, except substance use showed moderate-to-low correlations with ‘Impact of COVID’. Moreover, substance use itself showed moderate positive correlations with other mental health domains. Maladaptive coping was moderately positively correlated with all the mental health domains whereas adaptive coping showed only low positive correlation with anxiety.
Regression Analysis
The regression analyses show that coping strategies, perceived stress, age, gender and impact of COVID provide a significant model for prediction of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and substance use. Perceived stress, impact of COVID, self-distraction, self-blaming were significant independent positive predictors for all the mental health domains except substance use. Behavioural disengagement also showed positive association with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, anger, somatic concern, sleep, repetitive thoughts, personality disturbances and dissociation. Emotional support and Religion were negative independent predictors for depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, repetitive thoughts, personality disturbances, somatic concern and dissociation; and Anger was also predicted by Emotional Support. Denial was a significant independent predictor for depression and repetitive thoughts and actions, and gender was an independent predictor for anger and somatic concern. Suicidal ideation also had active coping with negative association. Positive reframing was in a negative relation with substance use and denial, perceived stress, substance use as coping were significant independent predictors for maladaptive substance use. In addition, age was a significant independent predictor for depression, anger and personality disturbances with negative association.
The regression analyses show that coping strategies, perceived stress, age, gender and impact of COVID provide a significant model for prediction of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and substance use. Perceived stress, impact of COVID, self-distraction, self-blaming, religion, age, behavioural disengagement, emotional support and denial were significant independent predictors for depression and anxiety, where emotional support and religion were negatively associated. In addition, age and denial were significant independent predictors for depression, where age was negatively associated. Suicidal ideation also had self-blaming, behavioural disengagement, perceived stress, active coping, denial, self-distraction, impact of COVID as significant independent predictors, where active coping was negatively associated. Positive reframing was in a negative relation with substance use and denial, perceived stress, substance use as coping were significant independent predictors for maladaptive substance use.