ERIC Number: EJ1389780
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: EISSN-1940-3208
Available Date: N/A
COVID-19 Anxiety and Mental Health among University Students during the Early Phases of the U.S. Pandemic
Dixon, Laura J.; Witcraft, Sara M.; Schadegg, Mary J.
Journal of American College Health, v71 n4 p1152-1160 2023
Objective: This study examined the impact of COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic on university students in the U.S. by: (1) characterizing COVID-19-related disruptions; (2) evaluating health anxiety, obsessive-compulsive (OC), depression, and stress symptoms; and (3) analyzing the unique role of COVID-19 anxiety on mental health outcomes, after accounting for relevant variables. Participants: Participants included 263 students (63.9% female). Methods: Data were collected online between March 19, 2020 and May 1, 2020. Results: Participants screened positive for health anxiety (6.5%), OC symptoms (48.7%), or depression (29.7%). COVID-19 anxiety was positively associated with mental health symptoms. After controlling for demographics and COVID-19 impact, COVID-19 anxiety accounted for significant variance in health anxiety, OC symptoms, and stress. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate the vast impact of COVID-19 on mental health among university students and provide guidance for identifying mental health priorities in the context of public health crises.
Descriptors: COVID-19, Pandemics, College Students, Anxiety, Mental Health, Depression (Psychology), Stress Variables, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Anxiety Disorders, School Closing, Distance Education, Student Characteristics
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A