Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Impact of Event during the COVID-19 Pandemic among University Students in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the rate of psychological distress and impact of event during COVID -19 Pandemic Among a Sample of University Students in Jordan, In the second 2020. The study relied on the descriptive approach, the online self-administered questionnaire incorporated the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI), for assessing psychological distress, and both the Event Impact Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS), for evaluating the psychological impact of the pandemic event, in addition to the demographic data (gender, age, marital and work), it was verifying its validity and reliability. The study sample consisted of (625) students at the Universities of Jordan. The results showed that the Peritraumatic Distress (CPDI) of the students came, overall moderate-severe-to-highly severe. And, the Overall moderate-severe-to-highly severe impact of the event (IES-R); and overall moderate-severe-to-highly severe impact (DASS). In addition, students who reported high level of psychological distress (CPDI), impact of the event (IES-R) and (DASS) were female, younger age groups (18-24) years, single, and not working. The results showed that the age of 18-24 Years, was the best predictor of Peritraumatic Distress CPDI and DASS, respectively. The results also showed that Peritraumatic Distress (CPDI), and psychological impact of the pandemic event (IES-R), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS), were significantly positively related to the self-stressors of “having relatives, neighbours, or friends exposed to quarantine; feeling anger due to the obligation of stay-home; having a chronic physical illness/health difficulty that warrant regular medication, and having mental health /Psychological Disorders". The study recommended indicate that universities and relevant bodies should implement various measures to prevent and control the psychological distress and its effects among university students during the epidemic. It is proposed to monitor the mental health state of university students most vulnerable to the epidemic event.