Depression among health care students in the time of COVID-19: the mediating role of resilience in the hopelessness–depression relationship

COVID-19 spread rapidly across the world, and by March 2020, first case of was identified in South Africa. Lockdown-related measures such as restricted movement isolation were implemented to contain virus. Combined with these measures, factors economic decline, job losses, food shortages can cause numerous mental health sequelae depression. Feelings hopelessness helplessness well cases suicide have been reported around world due pandemic associated feelings anxiety The aims this study investigate levels depression a sample care students. A random students ( N = 174) enrolled sciences programme at University Western Cape completed Beck Hopelessness Scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression three-item Resilience Scale. results revealed high compared previously normative data scales. In addition, indirect effects on significant, demonstrating mediating role resilience hopelessness–depression relationship. These highlight call universities take proactive providing free easily accessible resources help them cope manage stress during traumatic event. More importantly, national level, preventive should be strengthen young adults.