Worry effect for COVID-19 transmission over depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with studies in Peruvian university students

Abstract

Introduction: Concern about contracting COVID-19 has had repercussions on university students. The aim of this study was to determine its effect on depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with studies. Methods: Using an explanatory cross-sectional design, 1,260 medical, nursing, and dentistry students from both public and private universities in Peru participated in this study. They were assessed using a scale for concern about contracting COVID-19, the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2), and a brief scale for satisfaction with their studies. Results: After analyzing the data using structural equation modeling, it was found that the explanatory model had an adequate fit. It showed that concern about COVID-19 had a direct and significant effect on anxiety (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and depression (β = 0.38, p < 0.001). However, the same effect was not evident on satisfaction with studies (β = −0.06, p = 0.068). Discussion: The uncertainty about contracting COVID-19 triggered symptoms of anxiety and depression among Peruvian university students. Still, it did not affect the satisfaction students felt when their academic expectations were met.