The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Postsecondary Students: An Analysis of Self-Determination

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has put postsecondary students across the world at risk of psychological distress, negatively impacting their basic psychological well-being, including self-determination. Although the concept of self-determination has been widely discussed in literature, it is poorly understood within the context of postsecondary students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine the concept of self-determination (SD) as it relates to postsecondary students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rodgers’ evolutionary method of concept analysis was used. PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and ERIC were electronically searched using the keywords “postsecondary students” “coronavirus pandemic” and “self-determination.” The historical, legal, educational, and health science literature were investigated to generate a holistic definition of SD in the past. This analysis has identified the antecedents, attributes, and consequences of self-determination in postsecondary students during this global health crisis. This analysis adds to the knowledge base regarding the evolution, significance, and application of the concept of SD in the context of postsecondary students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for future research were also explored, such as using strategies to promote SD in postsecondary students to develop resilience during the pandemic.

Voluntary and involuntary singlehood: Salience of concepts from four theories

“…During the past few years, there has been an international pandemic, restricted access to many societal services, inflation, unemployment variances, environmental disasters, wars, and intensification of socio‐political divisions. This is an unusual accumulation of stressors in a short amount of time (e.g., Randall et al, 2022) and it is unclear how individuals' relational trajectories will be impacted by this accumulation. This theory is well‐suited to such conditions (Koopmans, 1998; Sellnow et al, 2002) and can provide clarity in how VS/IS are navigating their stressors.…”

“…In the absence of conditions beyond their control (such as disability or the Great Recession), it is not particularly obvious why some young adults do not venture into independence or start their own families (via marriage and parenthood). In the academic literature, it is unclear whether a lapse/failure is due to young adults' unwillingness to move into other responsibilities (Dalla et al, 2010) or over engaged (helicopter, snowplow) parenting (Adinolfi, 2013; Randall et al, 2022; Wieland & Kucirka, 2020).…”

Alternative Communication Tools For the elderly in Times of Restricted Social contacts

“…(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). The mandated isolation of residents of NH was also inconsistent with the theories on self-determination and aging (9)(10)(11)(12) and reflected forced and involuntary lack of personal communication with relatives and close ones of the elder people (NH residents).…”

Pandemic Stressors and Adaptive Responses: A Longitudinal Analysis of the Quality of Life and Psychosocial Dynamics among Urothelial Cancer Patients

“…Furthermore, assessing the quality of life, an encompassing metric that captures the overall well-being and life satisfaction of patients, constitutes a critical pillar in the management of cancer, as well as in other critically ill patients [28,29]. The quality of life, often intertwined with physical health, psychological state, level of independence, and personal beliefs, has been notably impacted during the pandemic [30]. In the context of urothelial cancer patients, understanding the multifaceted influences on their quality of life during this period can yield insightful data, potentially driving the development of tailored interventions aimed at fostering resilience and well-being.…”