The mental and behavioral health impact of COVID-19 stay at home orders on social work students

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting stay at home orders have had significant effects on mental and behavioral health. College and University students are at particular risk of mental and behavioral health issues due to the social distancing, stay at home orders and the abrupt shift from face-to-face to online learning. This study aimed to determine the impact that stay at home orders have on health behaviors such as mental health, physical activity, screen-time, and alcohol consumption have on social work students. Results indicated a statistically significant increase in anxiety and depression scores during the pandemic as compared to prior to the pandemic. In addition, there was a significant increase in screen time during pandemic as compared with prior to pandemic. The results of this study suggest a need for increased support for student during social distancing and stay at home orders. Implications for social work education are also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• social work students
• mental health
• behavioral health

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shawn A. Lawrence

Shawn A. Lawrence is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Central Florida. Her primary research foci are the psychosocial impact of health behaviors in adolescents and young adults and student learning environments and outcomes.

Jeanette Garcia

Jeanette Garcia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Professions at the University of Central Florida Her research area focuses on developing community-based interventions to improve psychosocial outcomes in underserved children and adolescents.

Chris Stewart

Chris Stewart is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Central Florida. His primary research foci are evaluation research and spirituality.

Celine Rodriguez

Celine Rodriguez is an MSW student and graduate research assistant in the School of Social Work at the University of Central Florida. Her research focus is student learning environments and outcomes.