A Longitudinal Cohort Study to Explore the Relationship Between Depression, Anxiety and Academic Performance Among Emirati University Students

Awadalla, Suheir; Davies, E. Bethan; Glazebrook, Cristine

Abstract

Background: Many university students experience depression and anxiety, both of which have been shown to affect cognitive function. However, the impact of these emotional difficulties on academic performance is unclear. This study aims to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety in university students in United Arab Emirates (UAE). It further seeks to explore the relationship between emotional difficulties and students' academic performance.

Methods : This longitudinal study recruited 404 students (aged 17-25 years) attending one UAE university (80.8% response rate). At baseline, participants completed a paper-based survey to assess socioeconomic factors and academic performance, including most recent grade point average (GPA) and attendance warnings. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales were used to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms. At six-month follow-up, 134 participants (33.3%) provided details of their current GPA.

Results : Over a third of students (34.2%; CIs 29.7%-38.9%) screened for possible major depressive disorder (MDD; PHQ-9 ≥10) but less than a quarter (22.3%; CIs 18.2%-26.3%) screened for possible generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; GAD-7 ≥10). The Possible MDD group had lower GPAs (p=0.003) at baseline and were less satisfied with their studies (p=0.015). The MDD group also had lower GPAs at follow-up (p=0.035). The Possible GAD group had lower GPAs at baseline (p=0.003) but did not differ at follow-up. Relationship between GAD group and GPA was moderated by gender with female students in the Possible GAD group having lower GPAs (p < 0.001) than females in the Non-GAD group. Higher levels of both depression and anxietysymptoms scores were associated with lower GPAs at baseline. PHQ-9 scores, but notGAD-7 scores, independently predicted lower GPA scores at follow-up (p=0.006).

Conclusion: This study confirms previous findings that around a third of universitystudents are likely to be experiencing a depressive disorder at any one time. Furthermore, it provides important evidence regarding the negative impacts ofemotional difficulties on students’ academic performance. The results support the needto consider the mental health of students who are struggling academically and highlightthe importance of signposting those students to appropriate support, includingevidence-based therapies.

Citation

Awadalla, S., Davies, E. B., & Glazebrook, C. (2020). A Longitudinal Cohort Study to Explore the Relationship Between Depression, Anxiety and Academic Performance Among Emirati University Students. BMC Psychiatry, 20, Article 448. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02854-z

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 3, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Sep 11, 2020
• Publication Date: Sep 11, 2020
• Deposit Date: Sep 11, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 11, 2020
• Journal: BMC Psychiatry
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Article Number: 448
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02854-z
• Keywords: Depression; anxiety; academic performance; university students
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4895999
• Publisher URL: https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-020-02854-z