A mixed methods investigation of college student mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective

Researchers collaborated with undergraduate minority students to quantitatively and qualitatively investigate college students’ mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants

Participants were two convenience samples of diverse college students surveyed in June (n = 128; M age = 21.7, SD = 1.7) and December (n = 242; M age = 20.3, SD = 1.7) of 2020.

Methods

This study administered items from the California Health Interview Survey and open-ended qualitative items via Qualtrics.

Results

Across both waves, students reported significant mental health challenges and psychological distress. Students surveyed in December were three to four times more likely to report depression and anxiety. Female and older students reported heightened odds of mental health challenges. Qualitative findings elaborated on contributing factors.

Conclusion

During the pandemic, college students have experienced pronounced mental health challenges, potentially exacerbated by academic, professional, relational, and environmental stressors and uncertainty.

Keywords:

• College students
• COVID-19 pandemic
• higher education
• mental health

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 [country name] and received approval from the [Institutional Review Board of university name].

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.