Active coping strategies and less pre-pandemic alcohol use relate to college student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To further delineate risk and resilience factors contributing to trajectories of mental health symptoms experienced by college students through the pandemic.

Participants

n = 183 college students (67.2% female).

Methods

Linear mixed models examined time effects on depression and anxiety. Propensity-matched subgroups exhibiting "increased" versus "low and stable" depression symptoms from before to after the pandemic-onset were compared on pre-pandemic demographic and psychological factors and COVID-related experiences and coping strategies.

Results

Students experienced worsening of mental health symptoms throughout the pandemic, particularly during Fall 2020 compared with Fall 2019 (Depression scale d = -0.43 [95% CI: -0.65 to -0.21]). Th

SUBMITTER: Akeman E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9376611 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature