E-learning: Depression, anxiety, and stress symptomatology among Lebanese university students during COVID-19 quarantine

Abstract

Background: E-learning has been adopted internationally as the alternative teaching or learning strategy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine to fill the academic gap that has been created by the existing reality of the pandemic due to nationwide closures. Aim: This study aims at evaluating the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptomatology among Lebanese University Students during the COVID-19 Quarantine. Methodology: A quantitative cross sectional research design, where 520 undergraduate university students were surveyed regarding their satisfaction with e-learning and the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptomatology using depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21 elements. Results: Learning through online platforms have given rise to depression and anxiety disorders among undergraduate university students, where there was a significant correlation between student satisfaction and prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion: The sudden shift to exclusive e-learning methods of instruction have produced anxiety and depression symptoms among a significant portion of the students due to the stressful load of work required.