AUTHOR=Jahan Alhadi M. , Mohamed Marwa , Alfagieh Mohammed , Alnawy Nehal , Alsabiri Muhayman , Algazal Rayan , Saaleh Rana , El Swisy Safa , Abbas Orjwan , Al Delawi Wesal , Abdulhafith Butaina , Almangoush Osama , Elhag Fathalla , Elshukri Abdulbasit , Abushaala Wesam , Shahrani Taqwa , Tnton Ahmed , Alkilani Heba , Dier Amaal 

TITLE=Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.714749

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2021.714749

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19 were announced in Wuhan, China, the virus has spread in most countries. After one year of restrictive measures, it is unclear how this prolonged social distancing has affected the mental health of individuals in Libya. This study aims to assess the levels of stress, depression, sleep disturbance, and self-efficacy during the pandemic in Libya and their association with the demographic factors. 
Methods: A nation-wide online survey was conducted between October 10 and November 10, 2020, in Libya. We collected demographic variables and other important psychological variables using valid scales: namely, the Perceived Stress scale, the PROMIS Depression scale, the PROMIS Sleep Disturbance scale, and self-efficacy 6-item scale. Additionally, data were collected regarding eating and smoking habits during the pandemic.
Results: The questionnaire was accessed 746 times, and a total of 683 completed questionnaires were analyzed (response rate of 91.6%), with ages ranging from18 to 94 years (Mean±SD = 27.09±10.57), 58.4% were females and 77% were from the age group 18-29 years. Stress, depression, and sleep disturbance symptoms were high in overall population, with (52.7% & 17.1%) of respondents reported moderate and high stress, (28.8% & 8.1%) reported moderate and high sleep disturbance, respectively, and the overall median score of depression was 20 (out of 40). The stress, depression, and sleep disturbance were more prevalent among females and the younger age groups (18-29 years old). The overall self-efficacy median total score was 6.67 (out of 10), with a significantly higher median total score for males than females (7 vs. 6.33, p= 0.001). About 79.8% of the smokers described their smoking habits as more than typical, and about one-third (29.6%) of respondents reported that their eating habits had become less healthy during the pandemic.
Conclusion: The findings of this research suggest increased levels of stress, depression, and sleep disturbances during the pandemic, especially among young females. This alarming finding urgently calls for safe and low-barrier interventions to help mentally burdened individuals. This study makes a significant contribution in providing essential data on the psychological and social impacts on the Libyan population due to the COVID-19 pandemic.