Social isolation and psychological distress among southern U.S. college students in the era of COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Background

College students are at heightened risk for negative psychological outcomes due to COVID-19. We examined the prevalence of psychological distress and its association with social isolation among public university students in the southern United States.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was emailed to all University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill students in June 2020 and was open for two weeks. Students self-reported if they were self-isolating none, some, most, or all of the time. Validated screening instruments were used to assess clinically significant symptoms of depression, loneliness, and increased perceived stress. The data was weighted to the complete student population.

Results

7,012 completed surveys were included. Almost two-thirds (64%) of the stud

SUBMITTER: Giovenco D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9803292 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature