CLINICAL EVALUATION OF DEPRESSION IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DURING QUARANTINE DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The present study was conducted during quarantine which was caused due to the pandemic of COVID-19 virus in Greece. We try to detect the immediate psychological effects of crisis conditions on university students, focusing on the symptoms of depression. The main goal is to evaluate the clinical depression that students present due to quarantine. The study participants were 570 students of the University of Patras, who completed an electronic questionnaire that includes demographic data and the BECK (BDI) depression scale, which measures the severity of depression. The results show that a significant percentage of participating students at the University of Patras reported increased symptoms of depression. Students' mental health seems to be significantly affected when situations of social constraint arise and, consequently, require attention and help. Critical, therefore, the role of the University is emerging in providing students adequate psychological services in order to strengthen and support them. Article visualizations: