The COVID-19 pandemic impacts psychiatric outcomes and alcohol use among college students

Bountress, Kaitlin; Cusack, Shannon E.; Conley, Abigail H.; Aggen, Steven H.; Group, The Spit for Science Working; Vassileva, Jasmin; Dick, Danielle M.; Amstadter, Ananda B.

doi:10.1080/20008198.2021.2022279

Cited by 34 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Previous work from our group using this data found that a five correlated factor model representing distinct, but related, COVID-19 impact constructs was found to represent the item-level response data on questions assessing COVID-19 impact most accurately (Bountress et al, 2022). The five constructs are as follows: COVID-19 worry (e.g., concern about family and friends being infected with COVID-19; range of factor loadings of items: .65–.94), COVID-19 exposure (e.g., in contact with someone known to have COVID-19; range of factor loadings of items: .63–.99), housing/food insecurity (e.g., concern about accessibility of food due to financial strain; range of factor loadings of items: .644–.72), change in social media use (e.g., how often someone is consuming content from social media; range of factor loadings of items: .43–.75), and change in substance use (e.g., increase or decrease in alcohol use; range of factor loadings of items: .58–.82).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 93%

A longitudinal investigation of resilience as a protective factor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cusack¹,

Bountress²,

Denckla³

et al. 2022

Traumatology

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COVID-19 is a global stressor that has been shown to impact mental health outcomes. Given that COVID-19 is a unique stressor that has been shown to have mental health consequences, identifying protective factors is imperative. The protective influences of resilience are demonstrated through the extant literature, though less is known about resilience and COVID-19 impact. The current study seeks to expand the existing literature on resilience, and on mental health outcomes influenced by COVID-19, by longitudinally investigating relative resilience as a buffer against posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and alcohol consumption, in the wake of a global pandemic. Participants included 549 undergraduates with a history of lifetime trauma exposure. Using a longitudinal path model, we tested the interaction between relative resilience (i.e., an individual's deviation from distress levels predicted by prior trauma exposure relative to other individuals in the same cohort) and COVID-19 impact domains (i.e., social media use, worry, exposure, change in substance use, and housing/food insecurity) on PTSD symptoms and alcohol consumption. Findings demonstrate a significant interaction between the COVID-19 worry impact domain and baseline resilience on later PTSD symptoms, whereby COVID-19 worry impacts PTSD symptoms at low levels of resilience (b = .26, p , .001), marginally impacts PTSD symptoms at mean levels of resilience (b = .09, p = .05), and does not impact PTSD symptoms at high levels of resilience (b = À.08, p = .16). There were no significant main effects nor interaction effects of resilience on alcohol consumption. This article adds to the literature on resilience and COVID-19 through examining both internalizing (i.e., PTSD) and substance use outcomes, using longitudinal data, and using a quantitative measure of resilience.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 93%

A longitudinal investigation of resilience as a protective factor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cusack¹,

Bountress²,

Denckla³

et al. 2022

Traumatology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…There are now several longitudinal studies of change in mental health measures among children and young adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic [22]. Several comprehensive studies of college and university students in the United States include data on prepandemic mental health, analyses of predictors, and a focus on serious psychiatric and alcohol/drug use outcomes [23,24], but data are lacking for high school students. Stamatis et al found that the disruption due to the pandemic and limited confidence in the government response were the main predictors of depression among college students [24].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Stamatis et al found that the disruption due to the pandemic and limited confidence in the government response were the main predictors of depression among college students [24]. Bountress et al found that COVID-19 worry predicted post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety even after adjusting for pre-pandemic symptom levels [23]. In addition, housing/food concerns predicted PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms as well as suicidal ideation, after adjusting for pre-pandemic symptoms in college students [23].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent anxiety among high school students: Survey results from the second year of the COVID pandemic

Yin¹,

Parikka²,

Ma³

et al. 2022

PLoS ONE

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Introduction National mental health surveys have demonstrated increased stress and depressive symptoms among high-school students during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but objective measures of anxiety after the first year of the pandemic are lacking. Methods A 25-question survey including demographics, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7) a validated self-administered tool to evaluate anxiety severity, and questions on achievement goals and future aspirations was designed by investigators. Over a 2-month period, all students from grade 9–12 in a single high-school (n = 546) were invited to complete an online survey after electronic parental consent and student assent. Bi-variate and chi-square analyses examined demographic differences in anxiety scores and the impact on outcomes; qualitative analyses examined related themes from open-ended questions. Results In total, 155/546 (28%) completed the survey. Among students with binary gender classifications, 54/149 (36%) had GAD-7 scores in the moderate or severe anxiety range (scores≥10), with a greater proportion among females than males (47% vs 21%, P<0.001). Compared to students with GAD-7<10, those with ≥ 10 were more likely to strongly agree that the pandemic changed them significantly (51% vs 28%, p = 0.05), made them mature faster (44% vs 16%, p = 0.004), and affected their personal growth negatively (16% vs 6%, p = 0.004). Prominent themes that emerged from open-ended responses on regrets during the pandemic included missing out on school social or sports events, missing out being with friends, and attending family events or vacations. Conclusion In this survey of high school students conducted 2 years after the onset of COVID-19 in the United States, 47% of females and 21% of males reported moderate or severe anxiety symptoms as assessed by the GAD-7. Whether heightened anxiety results in functional deficits is still uncertain, but resources for assessment and treatment should be prioritized.

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“…The unanticipated and traumatic effects of COVID-19 and quarantining since January 2020 have negatively impacted the mental health of undergraduate college students. Researchers have primarily evaluated social stress and academic stress ( Vidal Bustamante et al, 2022 ), anxiety ( Brooks et al, 2020 ; Kochuvilayil et al, 2021 ; Bountress et al, 2022 ; Kaur et al, 2022 ; Song et al, 2022 ; Tshering and Dema, 2022 ), anger ( Brooks et al, 2020 ), and depression ( Brooks et al, 2020 ; Bountress et al, 2022 ; Tshering and Dema, 2022 ) in this vulnerable population. In addition, a plethora of other reported outcomes during COVID-19 included loneliness ( Xiang et al, 2020 ; Kaur et al, 2022 ), isolation ( Hasratian et al, 2021 ; Kaur et al, 2022 ), sleep disturbance/difficulty sleeping or insomnia ( Kochuvilayil et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ; Song et al, 2022 ), fatigue ( Mosleh et al, 2022 ), burnout ( Kaggwa et al, 2021 ), PTSD ( Brooks et al, 2020 ; Bountress et al, 2022 ), future uncertainty ( Miconi et al, 2022 ), witnessing death in relatives ( Hasratian et al, 2021 ), relocation/displacement ( Hasratian et al, 2021 ), alcohol ( Bountress et al, 2022 ), e-cigarette ( Merianos et al, 2022 ), and cannabis use ( Merianos et al, 2022 ; Merrill et al, 2022 ), financial insecurities, loss or stressors of income ( Hasratian et al, 2021 ), unhealthy eating behaviors ( Kochuvilayil et al, 2021 ), academic concerns ( Kochuvilayil et al, 2021 ; Vidal Bustamante et al, 2022 ), contagion (i.e., fear of contracting the disease; Wheaton et al, 2021 ), mobile phone addiction ( Jiang et al, 2022 ; Peng et al, 2022 ), relationship problems ( Gallegos et al, 2021 ; Herbenick et al, 2022 ), sexual activity problems ( Ellakany et al, 2022 ; Herbenick et al, 2022 ), increased screen time ( Ellakany et al, 2022 ), suicidal behavior ( López Steinmetz et al, 2021 ; Bountress et al, 2022 ; Rahman et al, 2022 ), self-harm ( Kim et al, 2021 <...…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Researchers have primarily evaluated social stress and academic stress ( Vidal Bustamante et al, 2022 ), anxiety ( Brooks et al, 2020 ; Kochuvilayil et al, 2021 ; Bountress et al, 2022 ; Kaur et al, 2022 ; Song et al, 2022 ; Tshering and Dema, 2022 ), anger ( Brooks et al, 2020 ), and depression ( Brooks et al, 2020 ; Bountress et al, 2022 ; Tshering and Dema, 2022 ) in this vulnerable population. In addition, a plethora of other reported outcomes during COVID-19 included loneliness ( Xiang et al, 2020 ; Kaur et al, 2022 ), isolation ( Hasratian et al, 2021 ; Kaur et al, 2022 ), sleep disturbance/difficulty sleeping or insomnia ( Kochuvilayil et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ; Song et al, 2022 ), fatigue ( Mosleh et al, 2022 ), burnout ( Kaggwa et al, 2021 ), PTSD ( Brooks et al, 2020 ; Bountress et al, 2022 ), future uncertainty ( Miconi et al, 2022 ), witnessing death in relatives ( Hasratian et al, 2021 ), relocation/displacement ( Hasratian et al, 2021 ), alcohol ( Bountress et al, 2022 ), e-cigarette ( Merianos et al, 2022 ), and cannabis use ( Merianos et al, 2022 ; Merrill et al, 2022 ), financial insecurities, loss or stressors of income ( Hasratian et al, 2021 ), unhealthy eating behaviors ( Kochuvilayil et al, 2021 ), academic concerns ( Kochuvilayil et al, 2021 ; Vidal Bustamante et al, 2022 ), contagion (i.e., fear of contracting the disease; Wheaton et al, 2021 ), mobile phone addiction ( Jiang et al, 2022 ; Peng et al, 2022 ), relationship problems ( Gallegos et al, 2021 ; Herbenick et al, 2022 ), sexual activity problems ( Ellakany et al, 2022 ; Herbenick et al, 2022 ), increased screen time ( Ellakany et al, 2022 ), suicidal behavior ( López Steinmetz et al, 2021 ; Bountress et al, 2022 ; Rahman et al, 2022 ), self-harm ( Kim et al, 2021 ), and fear of death ( Xiang et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

College Students’ Opinions About Coping Strategies for Mental Health Problems, Suicide Ideation, and Self-Harm During COVID-19

Klonoff-Cohen

2022

Front. Psychol.

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BackgroundMental health problems have emerged as a significant health complication in United States colleges during COVID-19, and as a result, they have been extensively investigated in the United States and internationally. In contrast, research on coping among the college population during the pandemic is scant. Hence, this study investigated coping strategies proposed by undergraduate students attending a Midwestern university.ObjectivesThe purpose of this preliminary study was to obtain college students’ feedback/opinions about coping strategies for mental health problems, suicide ideation, and self-harm during COVID-19.MethodsIn December 2021, one-hundred and four undergraduate students (ages 18–22 years) completed an online survey on coping strategies using Qualtrics. Major topics included: (1) Types of coping strategies/styles expressed by students for general mental health problems, (2) Types of coping strategies for suicide ideation and self-harm behaviors, (3) Preferred platforms for receiving coping therapy, and (4) Reasons for accepting or refusing parent involvement with mental health problems.ResultsThe most beneficial coping strategies for mental health were ranked by college students as follows: (1) a skills training development program (30%), (2) meditation (19%), and (3) mindfulness exercises (15%), and physical education (11%). The respondents’ best coping strategies for preventing self-harm and suicide ideation/behaviors during COVID-19 were ranked as: (1) improving support from friends (32%), (2) building self-esteem (29%), and (3) addressing anger, depression, stress, and loneliness (25%). Finally, a total of 50% of participants felt that parents should be involved in college student interventions. Students stated that the most important type of support that they received from their parents were: (1) emotional support (31%), (2) direction and/or assistance with solutions (27%), and problem-solving (16%).ConclusionThis study identified potential avenues which could be implemented into action during future outbreaks. Specifically, employing interventions that: (i) train undergraduate students to employ more effective skills training coping strategies or practicing mindfulness or meditation; (ii) integrate mental health, suicide, and self-harm prevention into the curriculum; (iii) offer more in-person campus services targeted toward the psychological and emotional effects of a pandemic, and (iv) involve support persons (e.g., family) in students’ lives to enhance their well-being during and after COVID-19.

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The COVID-19 pandemic impacts psychiatric outcomes and alcohol use among college students

Cited by 34 publications

References 45 publications

A longitudinal investigation of resilience as a protective factor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A longitudinal investigation of resilience as a protective factor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persistent anxiety among high school students: Survey results from the second year of the COVID pandemic

College Students’ Opinions About Coping Strategies for Mental Health Problems, Suicide Ideation, and Self-Harm During COVID-19

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