Psychological Impacts from COVID-19 Among University Students

Background

University students are already recognized as a vulnerable group. They tend to experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and disordered eating than the general population. So when their entire educational experience is suddenly upended — like having to shelter in place during the COVID-19 pandemic — the strain on their mental health only gets worse.

This study had three goals:

1. To identify the range of psychological effects COVID-19 had on students
2. To group students based on how much they were affected
3. To figure out which factors — like demographics, lifestyle, or knowing someone infected with COVID-19 — made students more likely to struggle

Methods

Researchers collected data using online surveys from seven U.S. universities. Students were recruited through both representative and convenience sampling, and filled out the questionnaires between mid-March and early May 2020, when most shelter-in-place orders were in effect. In total, 2,534 students completed the survey. Of those, 61% were women, 79% were non-Hispanic White, and 20% were graduate students.

Results

Using statistical analysis, the researchers identified two underlying patterns in the survey responses. Based on those patterns, they grouped students into three profiles: high psychological impact (45% of students), moderate impact (40%), and low impact (14%).

Looking at individual factors, students who were women, non-Hispanic Asian, in fair or poor health, from below-average income families, or who knew someone infected with COVID-19 experienced higher levels of psychological impact. On the other hand, students who were non-Hispanic White, from above-average social class backgrounds, spent at least two hours outside, or spent less than eight hours on screens tended to experience lower levels of impact.

When researchers looked at all these factors together using a more advanced model, they found that being a woman, being in fair or poor health, being 18 to 24 years old, spending eight or more hours on screens daily, and knowing someone infected with COVID-19 were the strongest predictors of higher psychological impact.

Conclusion

If the mental health challenges of college students aren’t properly recognized and addressed — especially during a crisis like a pandemic — it could have long-lasting effects on both their health and their education.

Abstract

Background

University students are increasingly recognized as a vulnerable population, suffering from higher levels of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and disordered eating compared to the general population. Therefore, when the nature of their educational experience radically changes—such as sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic—the burden on the mental health of this vulnerable population is amplified. The objectives of this study are to 1) identify the array of psychological impacts COVID-19 has on students, 2) develop profiles to characterize students’ anticipated levels of psychological impact during the pandemic, and 3) evaluate potential sociodemographic, lifestyle-related, and awareness of people infected with COVID-19 risk factors that could make students more likely to experience these impacts.

Methods

Cross-sectional data were collected through web-based questionnaires from seven U.S. universities. Representative and convenience sampling was used to invite students to complete the questionnaires in mid-March to early-May 2020, when most coronavirus-related sheltering in place orders were in effect. We received 2,534 completed responses, of which 61% were from women, 79% from non-Hispanic Whites, and 20% from graduate students.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis on close-ended responses resulted in two latent constructs, which we used to identify profiles of students with latent profile analysis, including high (45% of sample), moderate (40%), and low (14%) levels of psychological impact. Bivariate associations showed students who were women, were non-Hispanic Asian, in fair/poor health, of below-average relative family income, or who knew someone infected with COVID-19 experienced higher levels of psychological impact. Students who were non-Hispanic White, above-average social class, spent at least two hours outside, or less than eight hours on electronic screens were likely to experience lower levels of psychological impact. Multivariate modeling (mixed-effects logistic regression) showed that being a woman, having fair/poor general health status, being 18 to 24 years old, spending 8 or more hours on screens daily, and knowing someone infected predicted higher levels of psychological impact when risk factors were considered simultaneously.

Conclusion

Inadequate efforts to recognize and address college students’ mental health challenges, especially during a pandemic, could have long-term consequences on their health and education.