Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Life of Higher Education Students: A Global Perspective

Abstract

The paper aims to present the most comprehensive and large-scale study to date of students’ perceived impacts of COVID-19 crisis on different aspects of their lives on a global level. The study with a sample of 30,383 students from 62 countries reveals that due to worldwide lockdown and transition to online learning students were most satisfied with the support of teaching staff and universities’ public relations. Nevertheless, a lack of computer skills and the perception of increased workload prevented them from perceiving higher performance in a new teaching environment. Students were mainly concerned about their future professional career and studying issues, and were feeling boredom, anxiety and frustration. The pandemic encouraged some hygienic behaviors (i.e. wearing masks, washing hands) and discouraged certain daily habits (i.e. leaving home, shaking hands). Students were also more satisfied with the role of hospitals and universities during the epidemic, compared to government and banks. Further findings demonstrate that students with selected sociodemographic characteristics (male, part-time, first level, applied sciences, lower living standard, from Africa or Asia) were, in general, more strongly affected by the pandemic as they were significantly less satisfied with their academic work/life. Key factors influencing students' satisfaction with the role of university have also been identified. Policymakers and higher education institutions worldwide may benefit from these findings when formulating policy recommendations and tactics on how to support students during the pandemic.

Psychological impacts from COVID-19 among university students: Risk factors across seven states in the United States

“…Similar findings were reported by another study exploring the impact of COVID-19 on students at a single college in the United States, revealing increases in sedentary lifestyle, anxiety, and depressive symptoms [ 16 ]. A global study examining experiences of students in 62 countries, including one university in the United States, found that students’ expressed concerns about their academic and professional careers, as well as feelings of boredom, anxiety and frustration [ 10 ]. Increased anger, sadness, anxiety and fear were also reported by students in China [ 67 ].…”

“…Over ten studies, including several with college student populations, identify women as being at greater risk of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 1 , 10 , 21 , 71 – 77 ]. Women are generally prone to depression and anxiety disorders [ 14 ], and although initial evidence indicated men were more susceptible to infection [ 77 ], our study supports the assertion that women appear to be more strongly impacted by the long-term psychological impacts of the pandemic.…”

“…Although impacts are felt across populations—and especially in socially-disadvantaged communities and individuals employed as essential workers—college students are among the most strongly affected by COVID-19 because of uncertainty regarding academic success, future careers, and social life during college, amongst other concerns [ 10 ]. Even before the pandemic, students across the globe experienced increasing levels of anxiety, depressive moods, lack of self-esteem, psychosomatic problems, substance abuse, and suicidality [ 11 ].…”

“…Many feel increased stress levels and anxiety and depressive symptoms as a result of changed delivery and uncertainty of university education, technological concerns of online courses, being far from home, social isolation, decreased family income, and future employment. These impacts have been observed in universities across the world [ 10 ].…”

“…Studies of the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on college studies in the United States, however, have been limited in their generalizability [ 10 ] due to examination of single institutions only [ 10 , 16 , 17 ]. We are aware of no studies that have been conducted with college students at multiple institutions across the United States during the pandemic.…”