Associations between affect variability, mean affect, and mental health among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT: Objective: The purpose of the study was to test whether associations between affect variability and mental health (i.e., anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, flourishing) differ by mean levels of affect during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: College students (N = 1883; M_age=19.81, SD = 1.33) completed a survey and 21 daily reports of affect (M = 19.41 surveys, SD = 4.19). We calculated mean affect and affect variability (i.e., standard deviation) from daily reports. Regression models then tested associations between positive and negative affect variability and mental health. Results: Participants with higher positive affect variability had higher anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and surprisingly higher flourishing.

SUBMITTER: Rahal D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12304248 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature