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AuthorKronfol Z.
AuthorKhalifa B.
AuthorKhoury B.
AuthorOmar O.
AuthorDaouk S.
Authorde Witt J.P.
AuthorEl Azab N.
AuthorEisenberg D.
Available date2019-09-30T07:48:38Z
Publication Date2018
Publication NameBMC Psychiatry
ResourceScopus
ISSN1471-244X
URIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1718-7
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/11991
AbstractBackground: Psychiatric problems among college students on USA campuses are common. Little is known about similar problems in developing countries, particularly the Arab region. The goal of this study was to assess the frequency of selected psychiatric problems among college students in two Arab countries: Qatar and Lebanon, and to compare them to the USA. Methods: The Healthy Minds Study, an online confidential survey of common psychiatric symptoms designed for college campuses was used. We used the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to screen for major depression, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) to screen for generalized anxiety and the SCOFF questionnaire to screen for eating disorders. Comparisons were made using ANOVA, Chi-Square tests and logistic regressions. Results: A total of 1841 students participated in the study. The rates of depression (PHQ-9 ? 12), generalized anxiety (GAD-7 ? 10) and eating disorders (SCOFF?3) at the combined Arab universities were 34.6, 36.1 and 20.4% respectively. The corresponding rates in the USA were: 12.8, 15.9 and 6.8% (p < 0.001 for all measures). The impact of psychiatric problems on functioning in general and academic performance in particular was more severe in the Arab countries compared to the USA (p < 0.001). Independent predictors of psychiatric problems in general included location, female gender, financial difficulties and poor grades. Being religious had a protective association with mental health. Conclusion: The rates of depression, anxiety and eating disorders were significantly higher among college students in Qatar and Lebanon compared to the USA. Additional research is needed to determine whether these results reflect methodological limitations or true differences in psychopathology across these populations. If replicated, the results indicate that the psychiatric problems on college campuses in the USA are a microcosm of a global problem that needs global solutions. 2018 The Author(s).
SponsorThis study was made possible by NPRP Grant 5–618–5-087 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.
Languageen
PublisherBioMed Central Ltd.
SubjectAnxiety
Arab countries
College students
Cultural psychiatry
Depression
Eating disorders
TitleSelected psychiatric problems among college students in two Arab countries: Comparison with the USA
TypeArticle
Issue Number1
Volume Number18
dc.accessType Open Access


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