The magnitude of COVID-19 related stress, anxiety and depression associated with intense mass media coverage in Saudi Arabia

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in catastrophic consequences in many aspects of life; including negative psychological effects. We aimed to assess the mental health status of a group of Saudi population during this pandemic. Also, we aimed to assess the effect of the intensive media coverage of the pandemic news on mental health status. A questionnaire was distributed online to test depression, anxiety, and stress (using the DASS-21 scale) and their relationship to certain variables. A total of 215 respondents were included. Higher mental health prevalence rates were reported in non-Saudi participants compared to Saudi ones (i.e., 50.74% vs. 30.40%; 34.23% vs. 13.51% and 59.70% vs. 27.70%; for depression, anxiety and stress, respectively). About 55.8% of the participants felt the extensive coverage in the media of COVID-19 news, which caused higher mental sufferings. Higher mental health prevalence rates were reported in females compared to males participants (i.e., 56.97% vs. 23.25%; 30.23% vs. 13.17% and 54.65% vs. 26.35%; for depression, anxiety and stress, respectively). Reasonable following of the COVID-19 news; and less exposure to the pandemic information could help in reducing the mental health issues related to the ongoing pandemic. Special care and attention should be paid to females and younger people who seem to be particularly affected during the era of COVID-19.


Supplementary
The 32 questions of the questionnaire (were translated to Arabic). Excessively (Daily) Actively (4-6 days a week) Moderately (2-3 days a week) Rarely (1 day or less weekly) 9-What is your primary source of following the news of this pandemic?
T.V Radio Social media Journals Internet 10-Do you feel the extensive coverage in the media of COVID-19 news causes you stress and/or anxiety? Yes No 11-Do you live alone?
Yes No 12-I found it hard to wind down. 0. Did not apply to me at all 1. Applied to me to some degree, or some of the time 2. Applied to me to a considerable degree or a good part of time 3. Applied to me very much or most of the time 13-I was aware of dryness of my mouth.
0. Did not apply to me at all 1. Applied to me to some degree, or some of the time 2. Applied to me to a considerable degree or a good part of time 3. Applied to me very much or most of the time 14-I couldn't seem to experience any positive feeling at all. 0. Did not apply to me at all 1. Applied to me to some degree, or some of the time 2. Applied to me to a considerable degree or a good part of time 3. Applied to me very much or most of the time 15-I experienced breathing difficulty (e.g. excessively rapid breathing, breathlessness in the absence of physical exertion). 0. Did not apply to me at all 1. Applied to me to some degree, or some of the time 2. Applied to me to a considerable degree or a good part of time 3. Applied to me very much or most of the time 16-I found it difficult to work up the initiative to do things. 0. Did not apply to me at all 1. Applied to me to some degree, or some of the time 2. Applied to me to a considerable degree or a good part of time 3. Applied to me very much or most of the time 17-I tended to over-react to situations. 0. Did not apply to me at all 1. Applied to me to some degree, or some of the time 2. Applied to me to a considerable degree or a good part of time 3. Applied to me very much or most of the time 18-I experienced trembling (e.g. in the hands).
0. Did not apply to me at all 1. Applied to me to some degree, or some of the time 2. Applied to me to a considerable degree or a good part of time 3. Applied to me very much or most of the time 19-I felt that I was using a lot of nervous energy. 0. Did not apply to me at all 1. Applied to me to some degree, or some of the time 2. Applied to me to a considerable degree or a good part of time 3. Applied to me very much or most of the time 20-I was worried about situations in which I might panic and make a fool of myself. 0. Did not apply to me at all 1. Applied to me to some degree, or some of the time 2. Applied to me to a considerable degree or a good part of time 3. Applied to me very much or most of the time 21-I felt that I had nothing to look forward to. 0. Did not apply to me at all 1. Applied to me to some degree, or some of the time 2. Applied to me to a considerable degree or a good part of time 3. Applied to me very much or most of the time 22-I found myself getting agitated. 0. Did not apply to me at all 1. Applied to me to some degree, or some of the time 2. Applied to me to a considerable degree or a good part of time 3. Applied to me very much or most of the time 23-I found it difficult to relax. 0. Did not apply to me at all