Anxiety and depression among US college students engaging in undergraduate research during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective

The objective was to examine mental health of undergraduate researchers (UGRs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants

We surveyed 962 UGRs who were conducting research in Spring 2020 at over 100 US universities.

Methods

We conducted an online survey in July 2020. We analyzed data using descriptive statistics and multivariable generalized estimating equations.

Results

63% reported at least mild anxiety and 73% reported at least mild depression based on GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores; 15.2% reported severe anxiety (score ≥ 15) and 23.4% reported severe depression (score ≥ 15). More COVID-19-related adverse event experiences were associated with more severe anxiety and depression, as were first-generation status, woman gender, and LGBQ status. Greater social support was protective, and significantly more so for men (vs. women) and continuing generation (vs. first generation) students.

Conclusion

Faculty have an important role in the mental health of their mentees. Additional interventions are needed to better support women and first-generation students.

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at

Keywords:

• College student mental health
• COVID-19
• social support
• undergraduate research experiences (UREs)
• undergraduate researchers (UGRs)

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge funding from the University of Utah Vice President for Research’s COVID-19 pilot grants. We thank all the students who took the time to complete this survey during a hectic and unsure time in their lives and also Angela Midgley for sending out their incentives. We also acknowledge the research training program directors who administered the survey to their students following our protocol: Jane Grande-Allen, Levent Atici, Rebecca Babcock, Anne Boettcher, Laurie Connor, Kenyatta Dawson, Sarah Ferstel, Erin Golden, Wes Lewis, Luis Lujan, Mia Markey, Lynnsay Marson, Julian Olanbiwonnu, Jorge Rodriquez, Elizabeth Sigler, Nancy Street, and Frans Tax.

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of United States and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of University of Utah.

Funding

The research was funded by a University of Utah Vice President for Research’s COVID pilot grant.