Boston College

The average PSS score across participants was 18.8, indicating moderate perceived stress in the month before the interview.
- 138 (71%) of participants indicated their stress and anxiety increased due to pandemic conditions. 
- Only 10 (5%) of participants who felt increased stress and anxiety sought help from university mental health services.

Of the stressors identified by the study:
- 91% of participants indicated that the pandemic increased the level of fear/worry about their health and the health of their loved ones
- 89% of participants had difficulty concentrating on academic work.
- 86% of participants reported disruptions with their sleep patterns, with one-third reporting severe disruptions.
- 86% of participants felt increased levels of social isolation.
- 82% of participants indicated they are concerned over their academic performance.
- 44% of participants mentioned they were experiencing depressive thoughts due to the pandemic, with 8% revealing that the pandemic has led to suicidal thoughts.

Participants also reported their use of coping mechanisms in the interview:
- 76% of participants explained that they were using various means to help themselves cope (self-management).
- 23% relied on negative coping mechanisms, including avoiding news about the pandemic, sleeping longer, distracting themselves with other tasks, and substance abuse.
- 29% utilized positive coping mechanisms, including meditation, keeping routines, positive reframing, and spiritual measures.
- About 34% of participants sought help from friends and family to cope with stress and anxiety.

Despite heightened stress and anxiety, 93% of students claimed they did not utilize the university’s mental health services, because they did not feel comfortable doing so, felt their problems weren’t severe enough, or they didn’t trust the mental health services.


COVID-19 on college students' mental health: Results

Son, C., Hegde, S., Smith, A., Wang, X., & Sasangohar, F. (2020). Effects of COVID-19 on College Students' Mental Health in the United States: Interview Survey Study. Journal of medical Internet research, 22(9), e21279. https://doi.org/10.2196/21279

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