A mixed-methods approach to understand university students' perceived impact of returning to class during COVID-19 on their mental and general health.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of mental and general health symptoms among university students attending in-person and online classes during COVID-19. We also explored their experiences returning to in-person classes and their views on the university's COVID-19-related policies.

Methods

In this sequential explanatory mixed-methods study (2020-2021), U.S. university student respondents (N = 1030; 603 women [58.5%], 907 [88.1%] aged 18-24 years) completed a quantitative, cross-sectional survey assessing their mental and general health symptoms experienced while taking classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey link was distributed through social media and email invitations. Three separate follow-up focus groups (n = 27), consisting of an

SUBMITTER: Ding Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9810175 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature