IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i14p7245-d589562.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Mental Health Crisis and Stress Coping among Healthcare College Students Momentarily Displaced from Their Campus Community Because of COVID-19 Restrictions in Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Masatoshi Tahara

    (Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara 252-0373, Kanagawa, Japan
    Department of Rehabilitation Therapist, Saiseikai Higashikanagawa Rehabilitation Hospital, 1-13-10, Nishikanagawa, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama 221-0822, Kanagawa, Japan)

  • Yuki Mashizume

    (Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara 252-0373, Kanagawa, Japan)

  • Kayoko Takahashi

    (Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara 252-0373, Kanagawa, Japan
    Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara 252-0373, Kanagawa, Japan)

Abstract

College students are one of the most affected groups by self-quarantine due to COVID-19, as they may live in loneliness and anxiety, increasing their risk of mental health crisis. This study aimed to identify risk factors for poor mental health and stress coping strategies among healthcare college students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted over 7 consecutive days starting on 28 April 2020 using a web-based questionnaire. The survey assessed socioeconomic characteristics and the General Health Questionnaire-12 score, self-reported health status, anxiety, and satisfaction with daily life, work, leisure, and new activities. Approximately 70% of 223 respondents had poor mental health. Less communication with friends was the main risk factor for mental health problems. Good health status and satisfaction with leisure and new activities were associated with reduced risk of mental health problems. Students with poor mental health tended to seek social support as a stress coping strategy. This study showed that the mental health of students declined during self-quarantine, and loneliness could be the major reason. There is a need for a new form of communication and learning that deals with the isolation and loneliness of students, especially for students living alone.

Suggested Citation

  • Masatoshi Tahara & Yuki Mashizume & Kayoko Takahashi, 2021. "Mental Health Crisis and Stress Coping among Healthcare College Students Momentarily Displaced from Their Campus Community Because of COVID-19 Restrictions in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7245-:d:589562
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/14/7245/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/14/7245/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kento Tanaka & Masatoshi Tahara & Yuki Mashizume & Kayoko Takahashi, 2021. "Effects of Lifestyle Changes on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers with Different Sense of Coherence Levels in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Qin Xiang Ng & Donovan Yutong Lim & Kuan Tsee Chee, 2020. "Not all trauma is the same," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 117(41), pages 25200-25200, October.
    3. Qin Xiang Ng & Kuan Tsee Chee & Michelle Lee Zhi Qing De Deyn & Zenn Chua, 2020. "Staying connected during the COVID-19 pandemic," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(5), pages 519-520, August.
    4. Masatoshi Tahara & Yuki Mashizume & Kayoko Takahashi, 2020. "Coping Mechanisms: Exploring Strategies Utilized by Japanese Healthcare Workers to Reduce Stress and Improve Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-12, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Juri Yamazaki & Masashi Kizuki & Takeo Fujiwara, 2022. "Association between Frequency of Conversations and Suicidal Ideation among Medical Students during COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-9, May.
    2. Cecilia Cheng & Yan-Ching Lau, 2022. "Social Media Addiction during COVID-19-Mandated Physical Distancing: Relatedness Needs as Motives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-14, April.
    3. Elaine Sheedy O’Sullivan & Karrie-Marie McCarthy & Cian O’Neill & Janette Walton & Lisa Bolger & Andrea Bickerdike, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Health-Related Behaviours, Mental Well-Being, and Academic Engagement of a Cohort of Undergraduate Students in an Irish University Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-23, December.
    4. Juhyun Jin, 2023. "Factors Influencing Spiritual Health among Nursing Students in the Prolonged COVID-19 Situation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Carla Miguel & Luísa Castro & José Paulo Marques dos Santos & Carla Serrão & Ivone Duarte, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on Medicine Lecturers’ Mental Health and Emergency Remote Teaching Challenges," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Chiara Rossi & Andrea Bonanomi & Osmano Oasi, 2021. "Psychological Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Influence of Personality Traits in the Italian Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-13, May.
    3. Laura Iosif & Ana Maria Cristina Ţâncu & Andreea Cristiana Didilescu & Marina Imre & Bogdan Mihai Gălbinașu & Radu Ilinca, 2021. "Self-Perceived Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic by Dental Students in Bucharest," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-16, May.
    4. Juan Sandoval-Reyes & Sandra Idrovo-Carlier & Edison Jair Duque-Oliva, 2021. "Remote Work, Work Stress, and Work–Life during Pandemic Times: A Latin America Situation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-12, July.
    5. Ward van Zoonen & Anu Sivunen & Kirsimarja Blomqvist & Thomas Olsson & Annina Ropponen & Kaisa Henttonen & Matti Vartiainen, 2021. "Factors Influencing Adjustment to Remote Work: Employees’ Initial Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Ieva Norkiene & Lina Jovarauskaite & Monika Kvedaraite & Encarl Uppal & Mandeep Kaur Phull & Heidi Chander & Kathryn Halford & Evaldas Kazlauskas, 2021. "‘Should I Stay, or Should I Go?’ Psychological Distress Predicts Career Change Ideation among Intensive Care Staff in Lithuania and the UK Amid COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-9, March.
    7. Georgia Libera Finstad & Gabriele Giorgi & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Caterina Pandolfi & Giulia Foti & José M. León-Perez & Francisco J. Cantero-Sánchez & Nicola Mucci, 2021. "Resilience, Coping Strategies and Posttraumatic Growth in the Workplace Following COVID-19: A Narrative Review on the Positive Aspects of Trauma," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-25, September.
    8. TMGH-Global COVID-19 Collaborative, 2021. "Psychological Impacts and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among People under COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation: A Global Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-10, May.
    9. Michal Molcho & Aoife Gavin & Devon Goodwin, 2021. "Levels of Physical Activity and Mental Health in Adolescents in Ireland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-12, February.
    10. Jessica Lee Oliva & Kim Louise Johnston, 2021. "Puppy love in the time of Corona: Dog ownership protects against loneliness for those living alone during the COVID-19 lockdown," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 67(3), pages 232-242, May.
    11. Qian Wu & Yuko Yamaguchi & Chieko Greiner, 2022. "Factors Related to Mental Health of Foreign Care Workers in Long-Term Care Facilities in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Comparative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-14, December.
    12. S Vivek Anand & Yao Kang Shuy & Poay Sian Sabrina Lee & Eng Sing Lee, 2021. "One Year on: An Overview of Singapore’s Response to COVID-19—What We Did, How We Fared, How We Can Move Forward," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-33, August.
    13. Dillon, Mary & Vauhkonen, Ilmari & Arvas, Mikko & Ihalainen, Jarkko & Vilkkumaa, Eeva & Oliveira, Fabricio, 2023. "Supporting platelet inventory management decisions: What is the effect of extending platelets’ shelf life?," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 310(2), pages 640-654.
    14. Kento Tanaka & Masatoshi Tahara & Yuki Mashizume & Kayoko Takahashi, 2021. "Effects of Lifestyle Changes on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers with Different Sense of Coherence Levels in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-11, March.
    15. Blanca Vianey Suárez-Rico & Guadalupe Estrada-Gutierrez & Maribel Sánchez-Martínez & Otilia Perichart-Perera & Carolina Rodríguez-Hernández & Carla González-Leyva & Erika Osorio-Valencia & Arturo Card, 2021. "Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, and Perceived Stress in Postpartum Mexican Women during the COVID-19 Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-9, April.
    16. Rocío Herrero & Mª Dolores Vara & Marta Miragall & Cristina Botella & Azucena García-Palacios & Heleen Riper & Annet Kleiboer & Rosa Mª Baños, 2020. "Working Alliance Inventory for Online Interventions-Short Form (WAI-TECH-SF): The Role of the Therapeutic Alliance between Patient and Online Program in Therapeutic Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-16, August.
    17. Shu-Yen Lee & Kai-Jo Chiang & Yi-Jiun Tsai & Chi-Kang Lin & Yun-Ju Wang & Chou-Ping Chiou & Hsueh-Hsing Pan, 2022. "Perceived Stress and Coping Behavior of Nurses Caring for Critical Patients with COVID-19 Outbreak in Taiwan: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-13, April.
    18. David Lucas & Sandrine Brient & Bisi Moriamo Eveillard & Annabelle Gressier & Tanguy Le Grand & Richard Pougnet & Jean-Dominique Dewitte & Brice Loddé, 2021. "Health Impact and Psychosocial Perceptions among French Medical Residents during the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-9, August.
    19. Edlaine Faria de Moura Villela & Izadora Rodrigues da Cunha & Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo & Michael Obimpeh & Robert Colebunders & Stijn Van Hees, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers in Brazil between August and November 2020: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-12, June.
    20. Kathy McKay & Sarah Wayland & David Ferguson & Jane Petty & Eilis Kennedy, 2021. "“At Least until the Second Wave Comes…”: A Twitter Analysis of the NHS and COVID-19 between March and June 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-14, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7245-:d:589562. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.