COVID-19 and mental health among at-risk university students: A prospective study into risk and protective factors.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic has confronted young adults with an unprecedented mental health challenge. Yet, prospective studies examining protective factors are limited.

Methods

In the present study, we focused on changes in mental health in a large sample (N = 685) of at-risk university students, which were measured before and during the pandemic. Network modeling was applied to 20 measured variables to explore intercorrelations between mental health factors, and to identify risk and protective factors. Latent change score modeling was used on a subset of variables.

Results

The main findings indicate that (1) mental health problems increased at group level, especially depression-anxiety and loneliness; (2) emotional support during the COVID pandemic was associate

SUBMITTER: Koelen JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8886289 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature