Anxiety and depression were the two mental health conditions assessed in both waves of data collection. To measure depression, the PHQ-8 scale was used. To measure anxiety, the GAD-7 questionnaire was used.


Concordia College - Moorhead

419 first year students (18-20) from a public university in North Carolina were surveyed before the beginning of the pandemic (October 2019-February 2020) and once more after the beginning of the pandemic (June/July 2020). The descriptive data collected was used to estimate the correlations between various pandemic related stressors (work reductions, health, distanced learning difficulties and social isolation) and students baseline mental health before the pandemic. Data were separated based on demographic characteristics of the students.

Methodology of The Covid-19 pandemic and mental health of first-year college students: Examining the effect of Covid-19 stressors using longitudinal data

Fruehwirth JC, Biswas S, Perreira KM (2021) The Covid-19 pandemic and mental health of first-year college students: Examining the effect of Covid-19 stressors using longitudinal data. PLoS ONE 16(3): e0247999. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247999

The Covid-19 pandemic and mental health of first-year college students: Examining the effect of Covid-19 stressors using longitudinal data

Measures of mental health

Three separate measures were utilized to assess psychosocial resources available to each student. First, the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) measured overall resilience. Next, The Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) measured students’ coping. Finally, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) measured students’ perceived social support from family friends and significant others.


Psychosocial Resources

Questions for demographic characteristics included race/ethnicity, male/female sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and whether the student received free or reduced price lunch in high school (as a measure of SES)

Demographic Characteristics

The Covid-19 stressors that were measured include word reductions, health, educational stressors, and social isolation. 
Students were questioned in w=Wave I if they were employed, and in Wave II if they or their parents had experienced work reduction as a result of the pandemic. Educational stressors were measured using a 4-point likert scale in which two main factors were assessed - educational technology and distance learning. Questions concerning Covid related health concerns were asked to assess stressors of health. 
Finally, students were asked if they felt isolated (always/usually or rarely/never) in both waves of data collection

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