The Impact of COVID-19 on the Academic Life of Social Work Students: Resilience as a Mediating Variable

ABSTRACT

Purpose

The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between emotions and concerns stemming from COVID-19 and the academic engagement of social work students, taking into account the mediating role played by resilience

Method

We carried out a cross-cutting quantitative study by means of an online questionnaire. The participants comprised a total of 474 students currently enrolled on the Degree in Social Work at the University of Valencia (Spain)

Results

The results show that the effects of emotions and concerns stemming from COVID-19 on student engagement were fully mediated by resilience. Indeed, positive emotions and concerns about the future had a positive impact on student engagement through resilience.

Discussion

Resilience stands as a potential protective factor against the social and academic challenges generated by COVID-19. The pandemic could therefore be seen as a real opportunity for sweeping change in the teaching and practice of social work.

KEYWORDS:

• Social work
• academic engagement
• resilience
• higher education
• COVID-19

Acknowledgments

Irene Fernández is the recipient of grant PRE2019-089021 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in your future.”

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).