Dynamics of depressive states among university students in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic: an interrupted time series analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was reported to have increased depression among university students which was associated with impairments in their campus lives. This study examined changes in depressive states among Japanese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A secondary data analysis from a factorial randomized controlled trial involving smartphone-based cognitive-behavioral therapy was performed. Six cohorts (N = 1626) underwent an 8-week intervention during the spring or autumn of 2019-2021, with a 9-month follow-up. We evaluated participants' depressive states weekly using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) during the intervention, with monthly evaluations thereafter. The follow-up periods included Japan's four s

SUBMITTER: Shiraishi N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10563354 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature