Objective: This study aimed to investigate the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among the Saudi population at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A cross-sectional, online survey using Google Forms was completed by 720 participants from central, eastern, and western regions of Saudi Arabia who had or had not been infected by COVID-19. The questionnaire was shared on social media (WhatsApp and Twitter). Information on background variables was obtained by using a set of closed-ended questions. The depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21, a screening tool, was used to assess the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Results: The results showed that 44.72% of the 720 participants had depression, 15.55% had anxiety, and 32.36% had stress. In addition, depression, anxiety, and stress rates were higher among the group under the age of 30 years and lower among older age groups. Moreover, females had higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than males.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has not only raised concerns about public health but has also been linked to psychological and mental disorders. This study revealed a significant correlation between mental illness and numerous variables, including age and gender, during the COVID-19 pandemic, which underlines the importance of mental health care.
Key words: COVID-19 pandemic, depression, anxiety, stress, Saudi Arabia
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