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COVID-19 Stress and Mental Health of Students in Locked-Down Colleges

Author

Listed:
  • Xueyan Li

    (School of Sociology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Ping Fu

    (School of Sociology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Changyu Fan

    (School of Sociology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Miao Zhu

    (School of Sociology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Min Li

    (School of Sociology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

Abstract

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of students in locked-down colleges remains obscure. This study aimed to explore influencing factors for the psychological impact of COVID-19 on Wuhan college students, post-traumatic stress symptoms in particular, so as to inform evidence-based strategy development to ameliorate such adverse impacts. An online survey was conducted from 26 to 29 April 2020, and 4355 students enrolled in Wuhan universities and colleges participated. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder via the Impact of Event-Scale-Revised was assessed. COVID-19 disproportionately affected older male Master’s and doctoral students living in Wuhan. The overall prevalence of PTSD was 16.3%. The three-level socio-interpersonal model of PTSD was empirically validated, and college students faced individual level risks such as infection with COVID-19, close relationship level risks such as family support (infection suspicion of family members, the loss of loved ones, and the family income decrease) and online course difficulties (little interaction, disturbing learning environment, and difficulty in adaption), and distant level risks such as excessive collection of personal information, estrangement of family relatives, and harassment and insult from strangers. The findings suggest the severity of the psychological impact of COVID-19. Mental health services reducing PTSD should be provided. Students who have lost loved ones and suffered family financial loss should be given particular care.

Suggested Citation

  • Xueyan Li & Ping Fu & Changyu Fan & Miao Zhu & Min Li, 2021. "COVID-19 Stress and Mental Health of Students in Locked-Down Colleges," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:771-:d:482365
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cuiyan Wang & Riyu Pan & Xiaoyang Wan & Yilin Tan & Linkang Xu & Cyrus S. Ho & Roger C. Ho, 2020. "Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-25, March.
    2. Yingfei Zhang & Zheng Feei Ma, 2020. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Quality of Life among Local Residents in Liaoning Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Sijia Li & Yilin Wang & Jia Xue & Nan Zhao & Tingshao Zhu, 2020. "The Impact of COVID-19 Epidemic Declaration on Psychological Consequences: A Study on Active Weibo Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-9, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Alejandro Salazar & Jenifer Palomo-Osuna & Helena de Sola & Jose A. Moral-Munoz & María Dueñas & Inmaculada Failde, 2021. "Psychological Impact of the Lockdown Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in University Workers: Factors Related to Stress, Anxiety, and Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-16, April.
    3. Xueyan Li & Ping Fu & Min Li, 2022. "The Complex Media Effects on Civic Participation Intention Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: Empirical Evidence from Wuhan College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-15, September.
    4. Veljko Kolak & Maja Pavlovic & Ema Aleksic & Vladimir Biocanin & Milica Gajic & Ana Nikitovic & Marija Lalovic & Irena Melih & Dragana Pesic, 2022. "Probable Bruxism and Psychological Issues among Dental Students in Serbia during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, June.
    5. Claudia E. Stoian & Marcela A. Fărcașiu & Gabriel-Mugurel Dragomir & Vasile Gherheș, 2022. "Transition from Online to Face-to-Face Education after COVID-19: The Benefits of Online Education from Students’ Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, October.

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