Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Among Youth During Covid 19 Pandemic in Kerala

Abstract

Covid-19 has caused significant distress around the globe. Apart from the evident physical symptoms in infected cases, it has caused serious damage to public mental health. The COVID-19 Mental Disorders Collaborators conclude that, throughout 2020, the pandemic led to a 27·6% increase in cases of major depressive disorders and 25·6% increase in cases of anxiety disorders globally. This study examines the prevalence of depression and anxiety among youth during COVID-19 Pandemic in Kerala. The study sample comprises of 200 individuals, among which 62 are males and 138 are females. The required data are collected by using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory by Aaron Beck. The data were analyzed using different statistical tools such as the student’s t- test and using descriptive statistical measures such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation. The results of student’s t test showed that there is no significant difference in depression and anxiety among various socio demographic details such as gender, health issue, place of residence and age. The results of frequency distribution chart on level of depression and anxiety based on socio demographic details shows that majority of people are coming under normal ups and downs of depression category as well as belong to low anxiety category as a whole.