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

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 (r = 0.669, P = <0.001), p depression (r = 0.612, P = <0.001), insomnia (r =0.355, P =<0.001), suicidal tendencies (r = 0.257, P = p p p <0.001), drug abuse (r = 0.251, P =<0.001) as well as between stress and age (r = 0.129, P = <0.001). p p There was a statistically significant negative correlation between stress and quality of life (r = -0.375, P = 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.