Mental health issues and sleep quality of Indian employees and higher education students during COVID-19 lockdown. (30th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Radhakrishnan, B.L.; Kirubakaran, E.; Belfin, R.V.; Selvam, Sudhakar; Sagayam, K. Martin; Elngar, Ahmed A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of intelligent engineering informatics. Volume 9:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 193
• Page End: 210
• Publication Date: 2021-07-30
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- lockdown -- pandemic -- coronavirus -- mental health -- mental healthcare -- anxiety -- depressive symptoms -- stress -- sleep -- sleep quality -- sleep duration and pattern -- mobile usage -- GAD -- generalised anxiety disorder -- PSS -- perceived stress scale; Artificial intelligence -- Engineering applications -- Periodicals; Engineering -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Knowledge management -- Periodicals; 620.0028563
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-8715

Abstract

India implemented a prolonged lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19. Our study aimed to assess the mental health difficulties and influence of lockdown stressors among Indian higher education students' and employees of the government, private sector during the COVID-19 lockdown. We collected the basic demographic, sleep generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), perceived stress scale (PSS) and sleep quality data from 676 participants using a web-based cross-sectional survey. Among the participants, the overall prevalence of GAD and PSS were 22.9%, 15.7% (low), 79.4% (medium), 4.7 (high), respectively. Younger participants reported higher GAD and PSS symptoms. Lockdown stressors have a significant correlation with GAD and PSS. In addition, the increased mobile phone usage significantly affects sleep latency, and sleep quality (p < 0.001) is a subject of concern. As part of global preparedness measures, continuous monitoring of sleep and the psychological impacts of outbreaks should become standard practice.