Changes in Depression and Physical Activity Among College Students on a Diverse Campus After a COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order

Abstract

The numerous negative health impacts of COVID-19, which include expected changes to psychiatric illness and physical activity (PA), are disproportionately distributed in the United States. Mental illnesses and physical inactivity are prevalent among U.S. college students. This study examined whether there was a change in minutes of PA and depression scores after a stay-at-home order and examined predictors of these changes. An online survey was sent to all undergraduate and graduate students attending a large, diverse university via an electronic newsletter. The survey requested information about demographic and academic data, cardiorespiratory fitness, and depression symptoms. Paired t-tests and logistic regression were employed. Our sample (n=194) was predominantly female (73%), young (mean age of 25), not a sexual minority (82%), and had a mean 3.4 GPA. Students reported worse depression scores (p<0.01) and fewer minutes of PA (p=0.01) after the stay-at-home order. There was a small but significant (p=0.04) correlation between changes in total minutes of PA and depression scores. Senior (p=0.05) and Hispanic (p=0.03) students were less likely to report worsening depression scores than freshmen and white students, respectively. Asian students were significantly more likely than white students to report decreased PA. This study suggests that COVID-19 and its consequences may be contributing to reduced PA and greater depression symptoms in college students and that sub-groups have been affected differently. Targeted interventions to promote PA and support mental health may bolster the ability for resilience of college students.

Chronic Back Condition and the Level of Physical Activity as Well as Internet Addiction among Physiotherapy Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

“…Almost in every fifth person the level of physical activity was estimated as high. Similar results regarding the limitation and low level of physical activity were noticed among students during the pandemic in England [ 22 ], Scotland [ 23 ], Italy [ 24 ], Spain [ 25 ], Switzerland [ 26 ], Hungary [ 27 ], USA [ 28 ], Mexico [ 29 ] and China [ 30 ]. A decrease in the level of physical activity among students of physiotherapy was observed in India, where its level was defined as medium [ 31 ].…”

Mental Health in Health Students during Coronavirus Disease-19: Systematic Review

“…The level of depression shown in Table 1, health students who experienced a low level of depression was 25.6% and a severe depression level was 7.3%. In a study by Coughenour et al (2020), it was shown that the policy Stay at Homemade the level of depression in healthy students increased. Higher than before the policy was implemented (average before: 5.58, and after 9.61) [13].…”

“…In a study by Coughenour et al (2020), it was shown that the policy Stay at Homemade the level of depression in healthy students increased. Higher than before the policy was implemented (average before: 5.58, and after 9.61) [13]. Pandey et al also found that more depression levels were experienced by female students compared to male students (5 vs. 3, p = 0.025) [11].…”

“…COVID-19 causes health workers such as nurses and health students to express their experiences related to the uncertainty and fatigue felt, especially nurses who directly deal with COVID-19 patients [18]. In Coughenour's et al (2020) study, there was a significant reduction in self-reported minutes of physical activity and worse depression scores in survey participants after stay-at-home orders were issued compared to before the policy was enforced [13]. This is because the COVID-19 pandemic comes on suddenly and is unprecedented and is likely to worsen or cause new mental health and stress-related disorders.…”

“…As a result, there is a need to adapt and/or cope with the major changes that result. The ability of health students to regulate emotions is needed for this adaptation process so that it can reduce the mental health impact that occurs on health students during the pandemic period [13]. In addition, nursing students are preparing to participate in efforts to reduce the incidence of COVID-19 in their countries by starting to implement health protocols in their respective schools [19].…”