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Global Health Econ Sustain COVID-19: Mental health in South-South Nigeria

whether there existed a significant association between the (1972). The BDI is a psychometric tool for measuring the
independent and dependent variables. severity of depression, providing a quantitative assessment
of its intensity. This instrument aids in monitoring changes
2.5. Data collection and management over time and provides an objective measure to evaluate

2.5.1. Method of data collection improvement and the effectiveness of treatment methods
With the aid of an electronic questionnaire, the researchers (Beck et al., 1961).
assessed the selected mental health problems of interest: Responses to each question on the GAD-7, STAXI-2,
anxiety, anger, and depressive disorders. Mental health and BDI were assigned scores to facilitate grading.
awareness was gauged through a set of simple questions, A cultural formulation interview (CFI) was conducted
with scores assigned to each response. to understand the respondents’ cultural backgrounds
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental and address the issues of cultural sensitivity. The CFI
Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association (2013) aided researchers in formulating the questionnaire using
defines anxiety disorders as a group of mental disorders simple English, avoiding ambiguous terminologies. In
characterized by significant feelings of anxiety and fear. addition, research assistants were recruited and trained to
Anxiety represents concern about future events, contrasts assist researchers in effectively communicating with local
with fear, which denotes a reaction to current events. residents who lacked formal education.
Assessment of anxiety disorder utilized the GAD Scale 2.5.2. Statistical analysis
7-item (GAD-7) tool developed as a screening instrument
for GAD in primary care settings (Spitzer et al., 2006). The SPSS version 21 and Microsoft Excel were employed for the
GAD-7 has demonstrated utility in measuring anxiety in data analysis. Data cleansing, editing, sorting, and coding
the general population (Beard & Bjorgyinsson, 2014) and were performed using Microsoft Excel, and subsequently,
anxiety disorder research (Dear et al., 2011). the prepared spreadsheet was imported into the SPSS
program for further analysis. To explore relationships
Anger is defined as an emotional state varying in between outcome variables and sociodemographic factors,
intensity from mild irritation to fury and rage (Spielberger, first-order analysis (Chi-square tests), multiple regression
1999), characterized by a strong, uncomfortable, and analysis, and descriptive statistics (percentages, means, and
hostile response to a perceived provocation, hurt, or threat standard deviation) were utilized. A multiple regression
(Alia-Klein et al., 2020). The expression of anger refers to model was employed to regress all relevant correlates.
how it is managed, whether outwardly expressed, held in, or Significance was determined by p-values less than 0.05,
controlled (Cook & Medley, 2014). Fraguas et al. (2009) and with all analyses conducted at a 95% confidence level.
Painuly et al. (2005) have documented that expressed anger
is associated with increased risks of depressive symptoms 3. Results
and violent behaviors. Anger disorder was measured using
a modified Spielberger’s State-Trait Anger Expression 3.1. Sociodemographic data
Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), developed by Spielberger (1999), The study involved a predominantly female participant
to measure the intensity of anger as an emotional state group, constituting 52.3% of the total. The average age of
(state anger). The STAXI-2 is a psychometric tool used to participants was 39.17 ± 12.0 years (age range: 18 – 60 years).
evaluate anger, focusing on experience and expression while Regarding marital status, the majority were married
distinguishing it from feelings of hostility and aggression (53.1%), followed by single individuals (28.4%), widowed
(Flavia Barros et al., 2010). (5.5%), and separated (13.0%). In terms of educational

Depression is characterized by a poor mood and an attainment, respondents were distributed across primary
aversion to activities, and it can significantly affect a person’s education level (12.4%), secondary education level (41.4%),
thoughts, behaviors, motivation, feelings, and sense of tertiary level (39.3%), and those with no formal education
well-being. Symptoms of depression may manifest as (6.8%). Regionally, 57.5% of participants were locals of the
sadness, difficulty in thinking or concentration, significant South-South state where they were interviewed. In terms
changes in appetite, and alterations in sleep patterns. of occupation, respondents were predominantly business
Individuals experiencing depression often report feelings owners (31.8%), followed closely by public servants
of dejection, hopelessness, and sometimes thoughts of (31.0%), farmers (13.9%), and unemployed individuals
suicide (de Zwart et al., 2019). Symptoms of depression (19.6%). Regarding household composition and income,
can range from mild to severe (American Psychiatric some of the respondents (3.48 ± 1.95) reportedly
Association, 2017). Depressive disorder was assessed using lived with fewer than four members. Furthermore, a
the beck depression inventory (BDI), developed by Beck significant portion earned below the monthly minimum

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.2551