Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 among Children and College Students: A Systematic Review

Community Mental Health in the Time of COVID-19: A Qualitative Assessment of Rural Providers' Experiences

The experiences of social and community mental health (SCMH) workers serving in rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic are understudied. Therefore, nine SCMH workers were interviewed about challenges and strategies for providing mental health services in rural communities in the wake of COVID-19. Through qualitative analyses three primary themes emerged; challenges, needed resources and strategies for addressing mental health needs. Challenges included lack of resources, stigma, and policy barriers, but collaborating with local organizations, providing individualized services, and improving communication were suggested strategies to overcome challenges. The resilience and flexibility of SCMH workers was advantageous in adapting to the changing mental health landscape post-COVID-19, yet advocacy for funding, resources, and training for practitioners in rural mental health is still needed. Findings suggest offering individualized services, forging community connections and maximizing use of existing resources through local collaborations. Moreover, utilizing online mental health services and peer community-building may improve effective services.

No particularly negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of individuals with higher levels of childhood trauma

Background

Initial studies suggest that individuals with a history of traumatic life experiences, particularly childhood trauma, may be more susceptible to increased mental health problems in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

The present cross-sectional study compared the mental health status of three cohorts of university students before (2016), at the beginning (2020) and at the end (2022) of the COVID-19 pandemic. The students in each cohort were divided into two groups: those with self-reported moderate/severe childhood trauma (n = 126) and those with no/mild childhood trauma (n = 438).

Results

Across all cohorts, students with moderate/severe childhood trauma consistently reported higher levels of psychological and physical stress compared to individuals with no/mild childhood trauma experiences. However, only the no/mild childhood trauma group exhibited an increase in mental health problems (i.e., heightened depressive symptoms and greater subjective impairment due to physical and psychological symptoms) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, within the no/mild childhood trauma group, students in the 2022 cohort reported significantly higher psychological distress compared to those surveyed in 2020. In contrast, mental health scores among students with moderate/severe childhood trauma remained unchanged across the pre-pandemic and pandemic cohorts.

Conclusions

The findings of this study do not support the hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately exacerbated mental health problems in individuals with a history of moderate to severe childhood trauma. Instead, our results suggest that the pandemic's impact on mental health was more pronounced in students with no or only mild childhood trauma.

The inequitable psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on post-secondary students with preexisting health conditions: A longitudinal study

Objective: Evidence suggests young adults in post-secondary school experienced increased distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, but students' experiences likely varied. Effects may have also changed over time as students adapted. This study examined the mental health of students with and without preexisting health conditions at two points during the pandemic (winter 2020/2021 and spring/summer 2021). Methods: Participants (N = 1465) completed a baseline and follow-up questionnaire assessing their health history, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, stress, and COVID-19-related worry and perceived vulnerability of severe infection. Results: At both time points, students with preexisting health conditions reported greater distress than those without preexisting health conditions. Stress increased from time 1 to time 2 for all students, and participants with preexisting health conditions significantly increased in their COVID-19 perceived vulnerability of severe infection over time. Conclusions: Findings highlight the need for additional and ongoing mental health supports for vulnerable students throughout the pandemic.

Resilience resources, coping, and health outcomes in college students during the Covid-19 pandemic

Background: Resilience resources are predispositions that promote individuals' abilities to cope with stress. Objective: The current cross-sectional study used path analysis with parallel multiple mediators to test whether coping behaviors mediated associations between resilience resources and somatic, depression, and anxiety symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic. Method: Undergraduates at a small Northeastern college (n = 193) completed online surveys assessing resilience resources, coping, and symptoms. Results: Results support significant indirect effects from resilience resources to somatic symptoms through positive reinterpretation and growth, mental disengagement, and substance use. Total indirect effects for depressive symptoms were driven by mental disengagement and substance use, with a direct effect of resilience resources. The effect of resilience resources on anxiety symptoms was mediated by mental disengagement, and there was a direct effect of resilience resources. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate that some coping strategies link resilience resources to better outcomes, potentially informing interventions for adaptive coping during public health crises.

Mental health among U.S. College students: implications of COVID-19 and roles of institutional and individual characteristics

Previous research on college campus environments, student mental health, and COVID-19 has primarily focused on individual-level factors, with limited attention to the broader institutional characteristics. Objective and Methods: Using the national survey data from the American College Health Association, this study examines the influence of both individual-level and institutional-level characteristics on college students' stress, psychological distress, and psychological well-being, before and during COVID-19. Results: (1) COVID-19 significantly impacted students' mental health; (2) institutional-level factors, such as school size, locale, region, and religiously affiliation, were significant predictors of mental health outcomes; and (3) individual-level variables, including gender, age, race/ethnicity, relationship status, moderated the relationship between COVID-19 and mental health. Conclusion: This study suggests the need to consider various institutional contexts in future efforts to understand predictors of mental health conditions and resilience.

The Psychosocial Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Primary School Children of Health Professionals

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals had to spend much of their time working in hospitals, which may have caused psychological distress to their children. This study was in the form of a case study pattern, one of the qualitative research methods aimed to identify the psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the primary school children of health professionals. Its sample consisted of health professionals (n = 60) and their children (n = 60), who were all at primary school. Data were collected from the parents using a questionnaire, and from the children by asking them to create drawings and explain them. Descriptive and content analysis were carried out. The findings were grouped under the headings of "Spatial and Social Effects on the Child's Daily Life," "Effects on the Child's Emotions," and "Effects on the Parent From the Child's Perspective." It is recommended that interventions to maintain the psychosocial well-being of children be planned.

Mindfulness, coping, and disruptions as predictors of college student distress at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic

Methods: Students completed an online survey about pandemic-related disruptions, depressive symptoms, mindfulness, coping, and demographics.

Results: Students whose families had more financial difficulties reported more disruptions. Depression and avoidant coping were positively correlated with distress, while mindfulness was inversely correlated with distress and depression. Disruptions, family financial status, depressive symptoms, mindfulness, and avoidant coping significantly predicted distress, controlling for university site and student sex, age, race, and ethnicity in multiple regression analyses. Avoidant coping significantly moderated (amplified) the effect of disruptions on distress. Conclusions: College student well-being can be supported through Campus programming that includes mindfulness practices and alternatives to avoidant strategies for coping with stress.

Associations between youth lifestyle habits, sociodemographic characteristics, and health status with positive mental health: A gender-based analysis in a sample of Canadian postsecondary students

Objective

This study aims to estimate associations between lifestyle habits, sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and positive mental health (i.e., flourishing, languishing, moderate) and anxiety and depression symptoms in postsecondary students.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used a convenience sample of 2165 Canadian first-semester postsecondary students (59 % female, 41 % men). Participants reported positive mental health using the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form and completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to screen for probable cases of anxiety and depression in the Fall of 2023. Participants reported lifestyle habits including recreational screen time (hours/day), physical activity (minutes/week), in-person social interaction (frequency/week), and homework (hours/week). Participants reported age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and health status (presence of a disability or health problem).

Results

Women's weekend screen time was associated with an 11 % reduction in the odds of experiencing flourishing mental health (odds ratio [OR]: 0.89, 95 % CI, 0.83-0.95), and never engaging in in-person socializing increased the odds of women experiencing languishing mental health (OR: 3.80, 95 % CI, 1.45-9.96). More frequent engagement in physical activity and homework were each associated with an increased odds of men experiencing flourishing mental health (OR: 1.00, 95 % CI, 1.00-1.00; OR: 1.03, 95 % CI, 1.00-1.05).

Conclusions

These findings highlight modifiable lifestyle habits including screen time, physical activity, in-person socializing, and homework which can be leveraged for mental health promotion among postsecondary students.

Children and adolescents' mental health in pandemics and confinement: A scoping review of vulnerability factors and repercussions

Children and adolescents are a population at particular risk of experiencing adverse mental health repercussions related to pandemics. To understand vulnerability factors and repercussions of pandemics and related sanitary measures on children and adolescents' mental health, we performed a scoping review to examine and synthesize literature. In total, 66 articles were included. Results present: (1) factors that increase vulnerability to adverse mental health repercussions (e.g., having a pre-existing mental health condition, social isolation, low socio-economic status, parental distress, and overexposure to media content) and (2) specific mental health repercussions (e.g., anxiety, fear, depression, and externalizing behaviors). Addressing concerns underlined in this review could contribute to preventing further negative mental health repercussions of pandemics for children and adolescents and better prepare governments and professionals to address these highly challenging situations. Recommendations for practice include enhancing healthcare professionals' awareness about possible detrimental repercussions pandemics and sanitary measures have on children and adolescents' mental health, assessing changes for those with pre-existing mental health conditions, allocating funding for telehealth research, and providing greater support to healthcare providers.

The mental health of undergraduate women majoring in STEM

Objective: Women in STEM often experience gender-based micro-aggressions and harassment. This is particularly true in male-dominated STEM disciplines. Such victimizations may place women at heightened risk for psychopathology. Yet, there has been little research examining the mental health of women in STEM. We compare anxiety/depression, trauma symptoms, and suicide risk for women majoring in gender-balanced/unbalanced STEM compared to non-STEM disciplines at institutions of higher education (IHEs). Methods: Data were collected from undergraduate women (N = 318) at five IHEs in the U.S. Sampling was stratified by male-dominated STEM, gender-balanced STEM, male-dominated non-STEM, and gender-balanced non-STEM majors. Data were analyzed with fixed effects linear regression. Results: Contrary to expectation, women in male-dominated STEM did not report more trauma or psychopathology than their peers. However, women in gender-balanced STEM majors reported more anxiety/depression and trauma symptoms than non-STEM women and women in male-dominated STEM majors. Conclusions: These data suggest that matriculating into certain STEM fields may have an impact on women's mental health. IHEs should ensure women in STEM are provided the structural supports to maintain their health, academic success, and professional trajectories.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression among health and social science students: A multicenter study

Background

The mental health of university students is a global concern, with high rates of depression and anxiety that need to be addressed.

Aim

We aimed to compare the mental health of Portuguese, Swedish and German university students in the health and social sciences following the Covid-19 pandemic and to analyze the factors associated with depressive and anxious symptoms in each country.

Methods

A cross-sectional study with a sample of students from Portugal, Germany and Sweden was conducted. Data from online questionnaires, including a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and the MHI-5 (Mental Health Inventory) was collected from October to December 2022.

Results

The sample was composed of 1670 university students. The prevalence of mild to severe depressive symptoms was 72.7 % in Germany, 62.9 % in Sweden, and 60.3 % in Portugal and the prevalence of mild to severe anxiety symptoms was 78.6 % in Portugal, 73.7 % in Germany, and 66.9 % in Sweden. Being a female student, having a previous mental health disorder diagnosis, and poor academic performance were associated with higher severity of depression and anxiety symptoms in all three countries. Country-specific factors associated with more depressive and/or anxiety symptoms were younger age, smoking, low socioeconomic level and living away from home. Swedish students who do not consume alcohol had more anxiety symptoms and German students who do not consume alcohol had more depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

The high prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among students in the three countries highlights the need to address modifiable factors that contribute to this mental health burden. Our results, which are in line with international trends, underline the need for policy reforms that target the main determinants of mental health, in particular by improving socio-economic conditions. Addressing these factors could play a crucial role in improving mental health outcomes in this population.

Patterns of psychiatric healthcare use during pandemic times among boys and girls with pre-existing diagnoses: a Norwegian nationwide primary and specialist healthcare registry study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced complexities that were likely more demanding for some groups, such as children and adolescents, and especially those with pre-existing mental health diagnoses. This study examines long-term patterns of psychiatric healthcare use among this vulnerable group, providing insights into shifts in psychiatric healthcare use during a global health crisis.

METHODS

We use data from the primary and specialist healthcare registries available from the Norwegian emergency preparedness register for COVID-19 (Beredt C19) to estimate patterns of psychiatric healthcare use. The data spans 2017 to 2022, covering children and adolescents aged 6-19. We identified young people with recent diagnoses of mental health conditions and compared weekly consultation volumes before and during the pandemic for mental health conditions overall and the following diagnostic or symptom categories separately: anxiety/depression and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD). Analyses were stratified by gender.

RESULTS

There was a consistent trend of lower-than-predicted weekly healthcare consultations among young people with pre-existing mental health diagnoses in both primary and specialist healthcare during the pandemic. The reduction was more pronounced in later follow-up periods. The study highlights gender disparities, with boys experiencing more notable declines in healthcare consultations, especially in specialist care. Additionally, the time trends varied across different diagnostic groups. While consultations for anxiety/depression were consistently below the predicted levels, declines in ADHD occurred later in the pandemic. The data suggests an overall decline in healthcare use rather than a shift between sectors.

CONCLUSION

The findings offer insights into healthcare use during pandemic times among children and adolescents with pre-existing mental health diagnoses. The study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and support for this group, ensuring accessible and responsive healthcare during public health emergencies.

Parental Factors Moderate the Association Between COVID-19 Disruption and Adolescent Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties

Past work shows that COVID-19 impacted adolescent mental health, but the moderating role of parental factors remains unclear. Ninety-one parent-adolescent dyads (ages 12–15) completed online surveys. Parents reported on COVID-19 disruption within their household, their mental health, parental reflective functioning (i.e., ability to consider the mental state of their child), and their adolescent’s emotional and behavioural difficulties. Adolescents rated their own emotional and behavioural difficulties and perception of parental support. Positive associations between household COVID-19 disruption and adolescent difficulties emerged, regardless of informant. However, parental factors linked to adolescent difficulties varied by informant. Parental reflective functioning moderated the association between COVID-19 disruption and adolescent difficulties (parent-report). COVID-19 disruption showed some stronger associations with adolescent difficulties than other parental stress measures, but not consistently. Findings replicate and extend prior work, emphasizing the negative association between COVID-19 disruption and adolescent mental health, while highlighting parental reflective functioning’s potential for mitigating adolescent difficulties.

How do machine learning models perform in the detection of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate students? A systematic review

Undergraduate students are often impacted by depression, anxiety, and stress. In this context, machine learning may support mental health assessment. Based on the following research question: "How do machine learning models perform in the detection of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate students?", we aimed to evaluate the performance of these models. PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases were searched, aiming at studies meeting the following criteria: publication in English; targeting undergraduate university students; empirical studies; having been published in a scientific journal; and predicting anxiety, depression, or stress outcomes via machine learning. The certainty of evidence was analyzed using the GRADE. As of January 2024, 2,304 articles were found, and 48 studies met the inclusion criteria. Different types of data were identified, including behavioral, physiological, internet usage, neurocerebral, blood markers, mixed data, as well as demographic and mobility data. Among the 33 studies that provided accuracy assessment, 30 reported values that exceeded 70%. Accuracy in detecting stress ranged from 63% to 100%, anxiety from 53.69% to 97.9%, and depression from 73.5% to 99.1%. Although most models present adequate performance, it should be noted that 47 of them only performed internal validation, which may overstate the performance data. Moreover, the GRADE checklist suggested that the quality of the evidence was very low. These findings indicate that machine learning algorithms hold promise in Public Health; however, it is crucial to scrutinize their practical applicability. Further studies should invest mainly in external validation of the machine learning models.

Socioeconomic inequalities in psychosocial well-being among adolescents under the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-regional comparative analysis in Hong Kong, mainland China, and the Netherlands

BACKGROUND

Despite evidence on socioeconomic inequalities in psychosocial well-being of adolescents under the COVID-19 pandemic, the explanatory factors and their potential variations across contexts remained understudied. Hence, this cross-regional study compared the extent of inequalities and the mediating pathways across Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the Netherlands.

METHODS

Between July 2021 and January 2022, 25 secondary schools from diverse socioeconomic background were purposively sampled from Hong Kong, Zhejiang (Mainland China), and Limburg (the Netherlands). 3595 junior students completed an online survey during class about their socioeconomic position, psychosocial factors, and well-being. Socioeconomic inequalities were assessed by multiple linear regressions using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII), whereas the mediating pathways through learning difficulty, overall worry about COVID-19, impact on family' financial status, resilience, trust in government regarding pandemic management, and adaptation to social distancing were examined by mediation analyses moderated by regions.

RESULTS

The adverse psychosocial impact of COVID-19 was stronger in the Netherlands and Hong Kong compared with Mainland China. The greatest extent of socioeconomic inequalities in the change in psychosocial well-being was observed among students in the Netherlands (SII = 0.59 [95% CI = 0.38-0.80]), followed by Hong Kong (SII = 0.37 [0.21-0.52]) and Mainland China (SII = 0.12 [0.00-0.23]). Learning difficulty and resilience were the major mediators in Mainland China and Hong Kong, but to a lesser extent in the Netherlands.

CONCLUSION

Socioeconomic inequalities in psychosocial well-being were evident among adolescents under the pandemic, with learning difficulty and resilience of students as the key mediators. Differences in the social contexts should be considered to better understand the variations in inequalities and mediating pathways across regions.

See us, hear us! children, adolescents and families in Saskatchewan coping with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

PURPOSE

To examine the lived experiences of children and adolescents coping with mental health issues and seeking mental health services in Saskatchewan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

In our descriptive phenomenological qualitative study, we interviewed forty-six individuals, including children aged 8-15 and their parents. Thematic analysis was applied to interpret the interview data.

RESULTS

Our analysis identified three key themes: pyscho-behavioural impact, academic impact, and social impact. The pandemic adversely affected children due to factors like changes in behaviours such as increased screen time and decreased physical activity, limited access to mental health services, and disruptions to schooling and social interactions. Coping mechanisms varied, ranging from the utilization of available mental health supports and services to individual and family-based strategies. Disparities in timely access to mental health services were evident, with financially stable families accessing private services, while others struggled, particularly in rural areas. Families demonstrated resilience through parental efforts to seek balance and prioritize safety amidst COVID-19 challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

Social connectedness served as a crucial buffer against pandemic-induced stress. Children faced difficulty in accessing timely mental health services and supports. Echoing participant experiences, our findings emphasize the urgency of targeted interventions and policy adjustments to address existing gaps in mental health service accessibility and availability.

The pandemic not only increased depression and PTSD in college students, but also changed how they categorize emotions

Objective: In March 2020, the emergence of COVID-19 as a pandemic prompted large scale, social lockdowns internationally. Participants/Method: Here, we compared the mental health symptoms and social functioning of pre-pandemic college students collected during the Spring 2020 semester to those of a pandemic group collected during the Fall 2020 semester. Results: Results reveal that students assessed during the pandemic reported more severe symptoms of posttraumatic stress and depression, yet no difference in anxiety symptoms, relative to students assessed before the pandemic. Furthermore, students assessed during the pandemic conceptualized and categorized their emotions with significantly more neutral emotions and significantly fewer positive emotions, yet no difference in negative emotions, relative to students assessed before the pandemic. Despite these mental health effects, we found no difference between the two groups in self-reported social functioning. Conclusion: Overall, these results suggest young adults' mental health was significantly impacted by the pandemic, with the potential for long lasting effects.

COVID-19 and mental health among college students in the southwestern United States

Objective: We examined COVID-19-related experiences, mental health, and future plans among US undergraduate and graduate students in the initial months of the pandemic. Participants: 72 students (68% female; 51.4% white; age x- =24.4) from 21 colleges in the US southwest concurrently enrolled in a stress-reduction study. Methods: Between March and June 2020, participants completed an online survey about demographics, personal and vicarious COVID-19 experiences, mood, and future plans. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed with the GAD-7 and PHQ-9, respectively. Results: Worry about COVID-19 was associated with anxiety and depression symptoms and personal and vicarious experiences with COVID-19. COVID-19 worry varied by illness severity and level of intimacy with those impacted. Most participants reported changing educational (66.7%) and life (55.6%) plans due to COVID-19. Conclusions: Given the continued impact of COVID-19 on physical/emotional health and future plans, universities should assist students in managing COVID-19-related stress so they can continue to learn and grow.

A blended group intervention to promote social connectedness and wellbeing among international university students: an exploratory study

Introduction

Loneliness is a prevalent issue among international university students, often exacerbated by cultural and linguistic barriers. This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability and impact of a blended intervention to promote international students' social connectedness and well-being.

Methods

A sample of 49 international students from the University of Padua (Italy) was recruited. The study followed the methodology of a non-randomized controlled trial comparing a blended intervention (comprising group activities and online self-help materials) with two other active conditions (self-help only and peer-to-peer interventions) and a control condition at two times (baseline and at 8 weeks). Participants completed a survey to assess their satisfaction with the interventions, changes in their interactions and wellbeing. They also filled in some questionnaires to measure anxiety, depression, perceived social support, loneliness and satisfaction with life. A mixed-method analysis was conducted.

Results

Results showed that interventions involving in-person activities had significant advantages over self-help intervention in terms of interaction improvement and a higher number of relationships. Participants perceived self-help materials as more relevant, satisfactory, and functional within the blended group compared to the self-help group. Contrary to the control group, the blended and peer-to-peer groups reported lower scores on the standardized measures of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, and higher scores on satisfaction with life, collected pre- and post-intervention. The thematic analysis of the answers to the open-ended questions showed that in-person group activities provided the opportunity to compare themselves with peers and have a direct experience of new social connections.

Discussion

The findings highlight the importance of translating insights from self-help materials into active and direct social experiences, to reduce loneliness through the emergence of new perspectives and shared meaning making.

The impact of neighborhood deprivation on mental health and quality of life in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the COPSY Hamburg study

INTRODUCTION

Socioeconomic inequalities have been associated with poorer mental health outcomes in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite numerous studies on individual risk factors, the impact of societal environment, such as neighborhood characteristics, on changes in mental health has rarely been investigated. This study investigates the effect of neighborhood deprivation on mental health problems and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hamburg, Germany.

METHODS

Data were derived from the prospective German COPSY Hamburg study. Children and adolescents aged between 11-20 years and their parents participated in the study, which took place in summer 2020 (T1) and summer 2022 (T2). Neighborhood deprivation was assessed by a neighborhood status index. Mental health problems and HRQoL were assessed using internationally validated and established instruments. The prevalence of mental health problems and impaired HRQoL was reported. Analysis of covariance was conducted to examine the effect of neighborhood deprivation of the districts in Hamburg on the (changes in) mental health problems and HRQoL while controlling for social individual-level indicators.

RESULTS

The total sample included in the statistical analysis consisted of N = 2,645 families. Children and adolescents living in more deprived areas had higher levels of general mental health problems and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, differences in neighborhood deprivation did not relate to the HRQoL and the averaged changes in children and adolescents' mental health problems and HRQoL from summer 2020 to summer 2022.

DISCUSSION

Neighborhood deprivation is associated with impaired mental health in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children and adolescents' mental health and overall well-being should be addressed by health promotion measures to create a health-promoting living environment, including diverse neighborhoods. Future research should focus on uniform assessment methods and addressing additional neighborhood factors.

Risk and protective factors for mental health problems in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of the longitudinal COPSY study

The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound effects on the mental health of children and adolescents worldwide, exacerbating existing challenges and introducing new stressors. This paper explores the impact of risk and protective factors on the mental well-being of young individuals during the pandemic. Using data from the German nationwide, population-based, longitudinal COPSY study (n = 2,471, girls: 50.0%, age 7-17 years) spanning nearly three years, this study investigates how factors such as gender, age, parental education, parental depressive symptoms, family cohesion, and social support influence mental health. Mental health problems were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Latent growth analysis and structural equation modeling were employed to analyze cross-sectional and longitudinal data collected at five measurement points (initial response rate: 46.8%). Findings revealed that boys and younger children are at a higher risk for mental health problems. Additionally, low parental education, single parenthood, parental burden due to the pandemic and parental depressive symptoms were significantly linked with mental health problems in children. Conversely, personal resources, family cohesion, and social support were associated with less symptoms. Family cohesion additionally buffered against the negative impact of parental depressive symptoms. The study underscores the importance of multi-level interventions that consider individual, familial, and societal factors in promoting positive mental health outcomes among children and adolescents during challenging times. Continued research and collaborative efforts are needed to develop evidence-based strategies for supporting the resilience of young individuals in the face of future adversities.

Path analysis reveals cross-country differences between Czech and Chinese university students in effect of internet and smartphone addiction, mental health, and personality traits on academic achievement in the post-pandemic era

Despite extensive evidence on the impact of various mental health issues including smartphone/internet addiction, and personality traits on academic achievement, little is known about the complex interactions between multiple of these factors simultaneously, as well as cross-country differences in these nuanced relationships. In particular, understanding the role of the mentioned addictions has become increasingly important in recent years in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this cross-country study was to investigate, using path analysis, the complex relationships between mental health determinants (depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and smartphone/internet addiction) and academic achievement in 1785 Czech and Chinese university students using an online battery of psychological tests. The results confirmed the previously described effect of multiple factors (anxiety, stress, resilience, smartphone/internet addiction, personality traits, and sex, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness) on academic achievement, overlapping in most cases for both groups of students. At the same time, however, different country-dependent patterns of interactions emerged. For the Czech students, the variables formed a complex network of interacting factors, whereas for the Chinese students, the effect of each cluster of factors was separate for individual domains of academic achievement. These cross-country differences have implications particularly for planning and targeting the most effective interventions to promote and develop academic achievement.

Changing the narrative: Addressing American Indian/Alaska Native mental health needs through academic holistic support

American Indian/Alaska Natives (AIAN) have some of the highest health disparities and poorest outcomes of all racial or ethnic minority groups in the United States. Across all age groups, suicide is 2.5 times higher in AIANs than the national average (National Indian Council on Aging, 2019). Cultural and institutional barriers prevent AIAN undergraduate and graduate college students from seeking mental health services, and many serious mental health problems remain untreated. While numerous barriers to mental health services exist for AIAN students, Indigenous faculty and support staff who share deep understanding of history, culture and traditional view of health and wellness can reduce the barriers and promote mental health and wellness for students. Shifting the focus to introduce a new narrative gives way to greater recognition of factors that create health and may help academic institutions provide holistic support for AIAN and other underrepresented students. The new narrative includes holistic strength-based support, social support, and fostering cultural identity and pride enhances mental health and success. Indigenization of the doctoral nursing curriculum supports faculty who are committed to decolonizing course content and institutionalized pedagogy. Improved health outcomes for Indigenous individuals and other underrepresented students will positively affect communities through increasing diversity of APRNs, nursing faculty, and nursing scholars.

Student Stress, Coping, and APPE Readiness at Two Public Institutions before and during the Pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted pharmacy students' education and well-being. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the pandemic on students' perceived stress by comparing third- and fourth-year students from the pre-pandemic Class of 2019 with mid-pandemic Class of 2021 at two public institutions. Secondary aims were to evaluate the pandemic effects on students' academic and professional development skills and practice readiness. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) scale were used to measure student well-being. Students' self-rated problem-solving, time management, and study skills were used to measure their academic and professional development; practice readiness was measured using students' self-rated confidence levels. PSS scores were significantly higher in mid-pandemic than pre-pandemic students, and the Brief COPE avoidant coping subscale differed between pre-pandemic and mid-pandemic students. No differences were found in any academic and professional development skills between the pre- and mid-pandemic students, and there were significant improvements in student confidence levels for practice readiness among the mid-pandemic students. In conclusion, the pandemic appeared to affect students' stress and avoidant coping mechanism but had variable effects on academic and professional development and practice readiness.

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress and Mental Health in a Sample of University Students: The Mediating Role of Resilience and Psychological Well-Being

The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most stressful events in recent times across the world. The long-term effect of these experiences raises several concerns, including the development of post-traumatic stress symptomatology. However, little is known about the psychological processes that mediate this association. The aim of this study was to explore the association of emotional exhaustion and anxiety in post-traumatic stress symptomatology, and the mediating role of resilience and psychological well-being in university students. A total of 526 university students of both sexes participated in this study, and they were aged between 17 and 62 years old. Symptoms of anxiety and emotional exhaustion were significantly higher in females, in contrast, males showed on average more resilience and psychological well-being. Additionally, participants with COVID-19 infection had higher levels of emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and PTSD. The results indicated that the variables were correlated with each other (p < 0.001). A conceptual model was confirmed that describes anxiety and emotional exhaustion as predictors, post-traumatic stress symptomatology as an outcome variable, and resilience and psychological well-being as mediators. Resilience and psychological well-being can be important protective factors for adaptive responses in stressful situations. The findings obtained in this study will provide a theoretical basis for designing targeted interventions to improve psychological health, whether for crisis intervention, the process of adapting to higher education, or for recovery plans from psychological trauma.

Altered development of face recognition among infants born amid the COVID-19 pandemic

To effectively contain the spread of COVID-19, public health agencies mandated special regulations. Although they protected us from COVID-19, these restrictions have inevitably changed the environment around us. It remains unclear how these changes may have affected early cognitive development among infants born during the pandemic. Thus, this study examined how the COVID-19 restrictions have affected infants' face recognition ability, a hallmark of their cognitive capacities. Specifically, we used the familiarization and visual pair comparison paradigm to examine face recognition performance among infants aged 6 to 14 months amid the second wave of the pandemic (February to July 2021). Experiment 1 investigated the recognition of unmasked faces and found that only younger infants, but not older infants, recognized faces by showing a novelty preference. Experiment 2 examined the recognition of faces wearing masks and found that only older infants, but not younger ones, recognized faces by exhibiting a familiarity preference. These results suggest that with limited interactions during the pandemic, infants could have developed an overly specialized face processing ability that failed to recognize the faces of strangers. Moreover, infants could have obtained more information on masked faces during the pandemic and adapted to the current situation. In Expreiment 3, we further confirmed the restriction on infants' interpersonal experiences with a survey conducted both before and during the pandemic. Overall, these findings demonstrated how the pandemic altered early perceptual development and further confirmed that interpersonal experiences during infancy are critical in their cognitive development.

Exploring the effect of environmental sensitivity on emotional fluctuations among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a three-wave longitudinal study

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the emotional well-being of adolescents worldwide. Some studies suggested that individuals with high Environmental Sensitivity may have been more likely to experience poor psychological adjustment during the pandemic than those with lower sensitivity. However, there is still limited research on how emotional responses varied across different stages of the pandemic and whether Environmental Sensitivity increased adolescents' vulnerability to the psychological impact of prolonged pandemic restrictions.

Methods

To address this gap, this study used a three-year longitudinal design (2020-2022) with a sample of 453 adolescents. They completed an online survey measuring their positive and negative emotions throughout the pandemic period, with Environmental Sensitivity considered a time-invariant covariate.

Results

The results revealed that all participants, regardless of their level of Environmental Sensitivity, experienced a decrease in positive emotionality between the first and second years. However, this trend reversed, showing an increase between the second and third years. Regarding negative emotions, highly sensitive adolescents experienced a significant linear increase over time. In contrast, low-and medium-sensitive adolescents exhibited a quadratic trend, with a notable increase in negative emotions between the first and second years, followed by a slight decrease between the second and third years.

Discussion

These findings provide further evidence of the negative impact of the pandemic on adolescents' emotional well-being. They also support the notion that Environmental Sensitivity is associated with individuals' ability to respond and adjust to adverse life events, with significant implications for future research and practice.

Modifiable predictors of mental health literacy in the educational context: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mental health literacy is vital for well-being in educational settings, extending beyond academics to include social and emotional development. It empowers individuals, allowing them to recognize and address their mental health needs and provide essential support to their peers. Despite the acknowledged importance of modifiable factors, there is a noticeable research gap in those amenable to change through educational interventions. Thus, this systematic review aims to identify potentially modifiable predictors of mental health literacy in the educational context. A systematic search was conducted for quantitative studies published between 2019 and October 2023 using several databases following PRISMA guidelines. Studies needed to focus on potentially modifiable predictors of mental health literacy in the educational context. Study quality was assessed using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS tool). In total, 3747 titles and abstracts were screened, 60 articles were assessed in full-text screening, and 21 were included in the review. Significant correlations between mental health literacy and modifiable predictors, including stigma toward professional help, self-efficacy, attitudes toward help-seeking, social support, positive psychological states, receiving mental health training, and psychological distress, were identified. By addressing these factors, educational institutions can cultivate community's adept in mental health, fostering an environment marked by empathy, understanding, and proactive engagement in addressing mental health issues. The implications serve as a foundation for future research, policy development, and implementing of practical strategies to enhance mental health literacy in diverse educational settings.

A mixed methods investigation of college student mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE

Researchers collaborated with undergraduate minority students to quantitatively and qualitatively investigate college students' mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were two convenience samples of diverse college students surveyed in June (n = 128; M age = 21.7, SD = 1.7) and December (n = 242; M age = 20.3, SD = 1.7) of 2020.

METHODS

This study administered items from the California Health Interview Survey and open-ended qualitative items via Qualtrics.

RESULTS

Across both waves, students reported significant mental health challenges and psychological distress. Students surveyed in December were three to four times more likely to report depression and anxiety. Female and older students reported heightened odds of mental health challenges. Qualitative findings elaborated on contributing factors.

CONCLUSION

During the pandemic, college students have experienced pronounced mental health challenges, potentially exacerbated by academic, professional, relational, and environmental stressors and uncertainty.

Associations between living arrangement and sexual and gender minority stressors among university students since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations between COVID-19-related living arrangements and sexual and gender minority (SGM)-related stressors (ie, identity concealment and familial rejection).

PARTICIPANTS

N = 478 SGM university students (Mage = 22 years, SD = 4.00).

METHODS

SGM university students were surveyed cross-sectionally between May and August 2020 regarding SGM-related stressors and living arrangements since the start of COVID-19.

RESULTS

Approximately half (48.7%) of the sample reported a living rearrangement to their parents' home due to COVID-19. Living rearrangement to parents' homes was associated with an increased degree of identity concealment (β [95% C.I.] = 0.62 [0.10, 1.15]; p = .020) and familial rejection (β [95% C.I.] = 1.56 [0.72, 2.41]; p < .001) since the start of COVID-19 compared to stably living without parents (34.3%). Stably living with parents (17.0%) was not associated with increased degree of SGM-related stressors compared to experiencing a living rearrangement.

CONCLUSIONS

Stakeholders must consider the unique identity-related vulnerabilities of SGM students living with parents and who experience living rearrangements due to COVID-19.

Prevalence, severity and risk factors of psychiatric disorders amongst sexual and gender diverse young people during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and severity of psychiatric disorders among sexual and gender diverse (SGD) young people was greater than in their heterosexual/cisgender peers. We systematically reviewed literature examining the prevalence, severity, and risk factors for psychiatric disorders among SGD young people aged 25 and under during the pandemic. Four databases (MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched. Eligibility criteria were studies assessing prevalence rates, mean symptomology scores and risk factors of psychiatric disorders using contemporaneous screening measures or diagnosis. Thirteen studies of mixed quality were identified. Most studies indicated SGD young people were at high risk of experiencing several psychiatric disorders including depressive and generalised anxiety disorder compared to the general population. This group also experienced more severe symptomology of various psychiatric disorders compared to their heterosexual/cisgender peers. Risk factors included those specific to the pandemic along with factors that led to greater risk before the pandemic. This systematic review has indicated evidence of heightened risk of psychiatric disorders among SGD young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important for clinicians to acknowledge the needs of SGD young people, working with them to co-develop more inclusive care as they deal with the pandemic's fallout.

Social distancing stress, anxiety/depression, COVID-19 diagnosis, gender identity, and immigration status

BACKGROUND

Strict social distancing public health measures to decrease COVID-19 spread increased social distancing stress. However, differences in social distancing stress by anxiety/depression symptoms are understudied, especially based on COVID-19 diagnosis status, gender identity, and immigration status. We examined whether the association between social distancing stress and anxiety/depression symptoms was moderated by COVID-19 diagnosis status, gender identity, and immigration status. We further examined the associations of social distancing stress with anxiety/depression symptoms, gender identity, and immigration status among individuals with and without COVID-19.

METHODS

We utilized data from a national cross-sectional survey among adults aged ≥ 18 years in the United States between May 13, 2021, and January 9, 2022 (n = 5,255). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the associations.

RESULTS

The prevalence of social distancing stress was higher among individuals with COVID-19 (79.23%) than among those without COVID-19 (67.51%). We observed significant associations between social distancing stress and anxiety/depression symptoms, moderated by COVID-19 diagnosis status, immigration status, and gender identity, respectively. Anxiety/depression symptoms were associated with social distancing stress among both individuals with and without COVID-19. Gender identity and immigration status were associated with social distancing stress among only individuals without COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed that the association between social distancing stress and anxiety/depression varied by COVID-19 diagnosis status, gender identity, and immigration status. The findings underscore the need for more targeted psychological distress strategies to reduce social distancing stress and anxiety/depression among diverse US populations, while considering the impacts of COVID-19 diagnosis status, gender identity, and immigration status.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Italian primary school children's learning: A systematic review through a psycho-social lens

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically affected many areas and contexts of today's society, including school and family. Several studies focused on the worldwide effects of school closures on students' learning outcomes, context, and well-being. However, the data emerging from these studies are often inconsistent and fragmentary, highlighting the need of a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon. This need is especially urgent for the countries with the most severe school closure, like Italy. This systematic review aims to collect the opinions of parents, teachers, and students on: other dimensions of Italian primary school students affected by school closures, beyond academic performance; hypothetical agreement between the opinions of parents, teachers, and students regarding the different effects of school closures on Italian primary school students; possible differences between the effects of school closures on Italian primary school students and the students in other countries. Our search was conducted using PRISMA 2020 guidelines on Web of Science, Pubmed, Scopus, and EBSCOHost. The results obtained from 34 articles revealed a strong concern on the part of all stakeholders involved in learning during the pandemic, with evident negative effects for Italian school students. The constraint on distance learning led to a drastic change in everyone's routine, and a negative emotional change on the part of young students. Parents and teachers generally considered distance learning to be ineffective for the education of their children and students; they encountered technical-practical difficulties in the use of electronic devices for participation in school activities; overall learning deficits on the part of students, especially in mathematics, as confirmed by INVALSI results were also found. The investigation reveals a condition of shared emotional and academic performance difficulty, and a further challenging circumstance for students previously at risk of marginalization. Further research in this field is paramount to identify new and adequate recovery strategies.

University Students' Financial Situation During COVID-19 and Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms: Results of the COVID-19 German Student Well-Being Study (C19 GSWS)

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on students' financial situation as well as on their mental health.

Aim

To examine the reported change in the financial situation of German university students before and across two time points of the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate its associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Methods

We used data from the cross-sectional COVID-19 German Student Well-being Study conducted at five German universities (N = 7203). Linear regression models were used to analyze associations between a reported change in financial situation and anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Results

Twenty-eight percent of the participants reported to have a worsened financial situation at the time of the survey compared to the time prior to the pandemic. A worsened financial situation at the time of the survey as compared to prior to the pandemic was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms reported in all three depression and anxiety scales [a 1.46 point increase on the CES-D 8 scale (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19; 1.73), a 0.37-point increase in PHQ-2 (95% CI: 0.28; 0.46), and a 0.45-point increase in GAD-2 (95% CI: 0.35; 0.55)]. An improved financial situation, on the other hand, was associated with lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. As for the second change, comparing the current financial situation with the situation during the first wave of the pandemic, the associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms were broadly similar.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that students are a vulnerable population in need of mental and financial support during times of crisis. Future research is needed to obtain insights into potential long-term effects of the pandemic on students' mental health.

Online Video-Mediated Compassion Training Program for Mental Health and Well-Being of University Students

College students experiencing psychological distress have significantly greater negative emotions than students who practice compassionate thinking. We have developed Eight Steps to Great Compassion (ESGC), an innovative brief and no-cost online video training program about how to increase compassion among busy and young adult university students. To examine the effectiveness and benefits of the ESGC, a single-group pre-test-post-test quantitative design with undergraduate university students (N = 92; Mage = 20.39) evaluated its effects. The results from the post-test showed that the ESGC had a significant positive impact on increased feelings of compassion towards oneself, compassion for others, and the sense of personal well-being from the pre-test. The analysis of the PERMA-Profiler subscales also reflected a statistically significant increase in overall well-being and health and a decrease in negative emotions and loneliness. From the Post-Survey Lesson Feedback, 88% of the participants reported significant positive changes in themselves and the way that they live due to the program. These findings appear to show important implications for improving healthy minds and reducing negative emotions among university students.

South African emerging adults' capacity for resilience in the face of COVID-19 stressors

Little is known about resilience responses to COVID-19 stressors from emerging adults in minority world contexts. In this cross-sectional study, we explored the association between self-reported COVID-19 stressors and capacity for resilience in 351 emerging adults (Meanage = 24.45, SD = 2.57; 68% female) who self-identified as Black African. We were interested in whether age, gender and neighbourhood quality influenced this association. The main findings were that higher pandemic stress was associated with a greater capacity for resilience. Older participants showed higher levels of resilience, while there was no gender difference in this regard. Those who perceived their neighbourhoods as being of a good quality also showed greater capacity for resilience, despite all participants residing in disadvantaged communities. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are considered.

Sources of negative emotions and tactics of self-emotion regulation among college students during COVID-19 school closure in China

Background

This study investigated the level of anxiety and depression in Chinese college students since the COVID-19 pandemic and explored the sources of their negative emotions and students' self-emotion regulation strategies.

Methods

A stratified cluster sampling questionnaire was used to survey college students during the pandemic via the Anxiety Depression, Self-made Negative Emotion Source, and Negative Emotion Regulation Strategy Scales.

Results

The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 23.3 and 20.1%, respectively. These levels were higher in women than in men. Furthermore, senior students reported higher levels than freshmen. Anxiety and depression mainly came from the pressure to grow and the narrowed scope of social activities. Proper relaxation via entertainment and communication with family and friends were popular ways of regulating their negative emotions.

Conclusion

College students should confront their negative emotions and understand their source, use psychological methods to regulate their anxiety and depression or seek professional help, improve their psychological resilience, and adopt positive coping measures.

Perceived life threat in children during the COVID-19 pandemic: associations with posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms

Defining children's "trauma exposure" in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of debate. Children were exposed to threatening messaging about COVID-19 but might interpret this information differently than adults. Perceived life threat (PLT), the belief that one's life is in danger, has been identified as a robust predictor of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and may be a better predictor of PTSS than actual life threat (ALT). This study investigated parent reports of children's self-PLT (belief that they might die from COVID-19) and family-PLT (belief that a family member might die from COVID-19). The aims were to compare PLT to ALT, evaluate their associations with children's psychological functioning, and identify risk factors associated with PLT. We hypothesized an association between PLT and children's psychological functioning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents (N = 140) reported on their child's (M age = 9.81 years, 47% female) pandemic experiences, psychological functioning, and both self-PLT and family-PLT. Results revealed self-PLT for 10% of the children and family-PLT for 43% of the children, yet only 6% experienced ALT (i.e., they or their parent tested positive for COVID-19). Children with reported self- or family-PLT had higher PTSS, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and functional impairment compared to children without these reported beliefs. PLT, but not ALT, was associated with psychological outcomes. Children with only PLT had greater PTSS and impairment than children with ALT. There were differences in parental functioning and pandemic-related information/media exposure between children with and without PLT. Children's perceptions, rather than objective experiences, may be more central to their psychological functioning. This has implications for screening for pandemic-related symptomatology in children as traditional trauma exposure measures may not adequately identify distressed children.

Prediction and detection of side effects severity following COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations: utilizing smartwatches and smartphones

Vaccines stand out as one of the most effective tools in our arsenal for reducing morbidity and mortality. Nonetheless, public hesitancy towards vaccination often stems from concerns about potential side effects, which can vary from person to person. As of now, there are no automated systems available to proactively warn against potential side effects or gauge their severity following vaccination. We have developed machine learning (ML) models designed to predict and detect the severity of post-vaccination side effects. Our study involved 2111 participants who had received at least one dose of either a COVID-19 or influenza vaccine. Each participant was equipped with a Garmin Vivosmart 4 smartwatch and was required to complete a daily self-reported questionnaire regarding local and systemic reactions through a dedicated mobile application. Our XGBoost models yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.69 and 0.74 in predicting and detecting moderate to severe side effects, respectively. These predictions were primarily based on variables such as vaccine type (influenza vs. COVID-19), the individual's history of side effects from previous vaccines, and specific data collected from the smartwatches prior to vaccine administration, including resting heart rate, heart rate, and heart rate variability. In conclusion, our findings suggest that wearable devices can provide an objective and continuous method for predicting and monitoring moderate to severe vaccine side effects. This technology has the potential to improve clinical trials by automating the classification of vaccine severity.

Friends' Perspective: Young Adults' Reaction to Disclosure of Chronic Illness

Chronic illness can negatively impact adolescents' and young adults' social support. Social support can buffer the negative impact of living with chronic illness. The purpose of this study was to test the acceptability of a hypothetical message to promote social support after a recent diagnosis of a chronic illness. Young adults (18-24; m = 21.30; N = 370), the majority of which were Caucasian, college-students, and female, were asked to read one of four vignettes and to imagine this situation happened while they were in high school. Each vignette contained a hypothetical message from a friend diagnosed with a chronic illness (cancer, traumatic brain injury, depression, or eating disorder). Participants answered forced-choice and free-response questions asking about the likelihood they would contact or visit the friend, and feelings about receiving the message. A general linear model was used to assess quantitative results, and qualitative responses were coded using the Delphi coding method. Participants responded positively, reporting a high likelihood to contact the friend, and feeling glad to receive the message regardless of vignette viewed; however, those who read the eating disorder vignette were significantly more likely to express discomfort. In qualitative responses, participants described positive emotions associated with the message and desire to support the friend. However, participants reported significantly greater discomfort with the eating disorder vignette. The results provide evidence for the potential of a short, standardized disclosure message to promote social support following chronic illness diagnosis with some additional considerations for those recently diagnosed with an eating disorder.

Acceptability and utility of digital well-being and mental health support for university students: A pilot study

AIM

To assess the acceptability and explore the utility of a novel digital platform designed as a student-facing well-being and mental health support.

METHODS

An adapted version of i-spero® was piloted as a student-facing well-being support and as part of routine university-based mental health care. In both pathways, student participants completed baseline demographics and brief validated measures of well-being and mental health. Weekly measures of anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9) and a Week 8 Experience Survey were also scheduled. Integrated mixed methods analysis was used to assess acceptability and explore the utility of these platforms.

RESULTS

Students in the well-being (n = 120) and care pathways (n = 121) were mostly female and between 19 and 22 years of age. Baseline screen positive rates for anxiety and depression were high in both the well-being (68%) and care pathways (80%). There was a substantial drop in adherence over Week 1 (50% well-being; 40% care) followed by minor attrition up to Week 8. Anxiety and depressive symptom levels improved from baseline in students who dropped out after Week 1 (p ≤ .06). The student experience was that i-spero® improved their emotional self-awareness, understanding of progress in care, and knowledge about when to seek help. Most students agreed (>75%) that i-spero® should form part of regular university student wellness support.

CONCLUSIONS

Digital well-being and mental health support seems acceptable to university students; however, engagement and persistence are areas for further development. Such digital tools could make a positive contribution to an evidence-based stepped approach to student well-being and mental health support.

Introduction: Student Experiences of COVID-19 Around the Globe: Insights from the Pandemic Journaling Project

The COVID-19 crisis has taken a significant toll on the mental health of many students around the globe. In addition to the traumatic effects of loss of life and livelihood within students' families, students have faced other challenges, including disruptions to learning and work; decreased access to health care services; emotional struggles associated with loneliness and social isolation; and difficulties exercising essential rights, such as rights to civic engagement, housing, and protection from violence. Such disruptions negatively impact students' developmental, emotional, and behavioral health and wellbeing and also become overlaid upon existing inequities to generate intersectional effects. With these findings in mind, this special issue investigates how COVID-19 has affected the mental health and wellbeing of high school and college students in diverse locations around the world, including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, China, and South Africa. The contributions collected here analyze data collected through the Pandemic Journaling Project, a combined research study and online journaling platform that ran on a weekly basis from May 2020 through May 2022, along with complementary projects and using additional research methods, such as semi-structured interviews and autobiographical writing by students. The collection offers a nuanced, comparative window onto the diverse struggles that students and educators experienced at the height of the pandemic and considers potential solutions for addressing the long-term impacts of COVID-19. It also suggests a potential role for journaling in promoting mental wellbeing among youth, particularly in the Global South.

Psychological capital research in HEIs: Bibliometric analysis of current and future trends

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on psychological capital (PsyCap) within higher education institutions (HEIs). Its main objective is to offer an encompassing perspective on this field's current state and potential developments. To achieve this, the study examines present research trends and predicts future directions using a bibliometric approach. A total of 412 journal articles were gathered from the Web of Science database. The analysis identifies influential publications, outlines the knowledge structure, and forecasts future trends through bibliographic coupling and co-word analyses. The bibliographic coupling revealed five distinct clusters, while the co-word analysis identified four clusters. Despite the growing significance of PsyCap research in HEIs, there remains a need for greater academic efforts to comprehend the research landscape fully. This paper provides valuable insights into the expanding area of PsyCap research within HEIs. In conclusion, the study sheds light on the extensive research conducted on PsyCap in the context of HEIs and offers insights into its potential for further growth.

Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among matriculated university students in Singapore during Covid-19 pandemic: findings from a repeated cross-sectional analysis

BACKGROUND

Depression is a common issue among university students and has been particularly exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, limited research has specifically focused on depression among university entrants.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression severity and identify associated factors during different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic using health screening questionnaires completed by matriculated university students in Singapore.

METHODS

A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted at a public university in Singapore. Data from health screening questionnaires administered in 2020 and 2021, involving 15,630 newly enrolled university students, were analyzed. The questionnaires covered students' sociodemographic information, physical health status, own and family medical history, lifestyle behaviours, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 was used to measure the severity of depressive symptoms, categorizing into moderate to severe depressive symptoms (MSDS), mild depressive symptoms (MDS), or no depressive symptom (NDS). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the sociodemographic, physical and behavioural correlates of depression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MSDS was 1% in both 2020 and 2021, while the rates for MDS were 1.93% in 2020 and 1.64% in 2021. In the 2020 cohort, male freshmen who reported better health had a lower likelihood of experiencing depression. Conversely, students of Malay ethnicity, those majoring in Engineering, those with multiple chronic diseases, monthly alcohol consumers, current smokers, and those with a family history of mental disorder had a higher likelihood of experiencing depression. Moreover, students who lived on-campus in the 2021 cohort were less likely to experience depression than those living off-campus. However, the associations between academic majors, alcohol consumption, and smoking with depression were not significant in the 2021 cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reported a low prevalence of both MSDS and MDS among university entrants in Singapore. The study further identified three categories of factors associated with depression: sociodemographic, physical, and behavioural. This study suggests policy interventions to enhance targeted social support that address each student group's specific requirements and susceptibilities. A more extensive and comprehensive study is warranted to assess the changes in student mental health status post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Special Issue "Sports Science in Children"

In recent times, research and technological advancements have opened an unprecedented window of opportunity for sports science to play a pivotal role in the holistic well-being of children [...].

Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Dental Students' - An Interventional Study

Background

COVID-19 pandemic impacts not only the physical health but also the mental health of every individual.

Aim and Objectives

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental and physical health of college students.

Method

An online survey was conducted using convenience sampling on 512 participants. The student's mental health was assessed by using DASS 21 analysis and sleep patterns were recorded on the PSQI scale.

Result

The overall effect of the pandemic on the mental health of college students was affected to varying degrees. On comparing all variables of DASS analyses, it was found that of the 512 college students, 57.4% were depressed and 51.6% fell into the anxious category.

Conclusion

It is concluded that young adults experienced increases in anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms during this pandemic.

Burnout increased among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Generally, university students are at risk of burnout. This likely was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to investigate burnout prevalence among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine its distribution across countries, sexes, fields of study, and time-period. PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, World Health Organization's Global COVID-19 database, Scopus, Epistemonikos, ERIC and Google Scholar were searched (protocol: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/BYRXW ). Studies were independently screened and extracted. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed. Study quality was appraised, and certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. We identified 44 primary studies comprising 26,500 students. Global prevalence rates were 56.3% for high emotional exhaustion (EE), 55.3% for high cynicism (CY) and 41.8% for low personal accomplishment (PA). Prevalence of EE, CY, and PA domains varied significantly across fields of study, countries and WHO and World Bank regions, but not sex. All studies demonstrated good internal validity, although substantial heterogeneity existed between studies. The certainty of evidence was rated as moderate. Considering its potentially severe consequences, burnout is a significant public health concern. The development and implementation of evidence-based localized interventions at organizational and individual levels are necessary to mitigate burnout.

Evaluation of COVID-19 Effect on Mental Health, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents Population

OBJECTIVES

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological state of the under-18 population includes an increased risk of psychopathological symptoms development and exacerbation of already present psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mental health problems in Polish children and adolescents with a focus on suicidal and self-harm behavior with the impact of the pandemic.

METHODS

The questionnaire collected demographic data, information regarding mental states and psychopathological symptoms, history of self-harm and suicidal behaviors, as well as the experience of psychological, and physical violence, and suicidal self-harm behaviors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

In the final analysis, 782 responses were included. Self-evaluation of general and mental health scores was significantly lower during the pandemic among children (both p < 0.001) and adolescents (both p < 0.001). Moreover, general and mental health scores were lower among adolescents compared to children before (both p < 0.001) and during (both p < 0.001) the pandemic. The frequency of seeking help because of mental health problems increased during the pandemic among children and adolescents, while no changes were observed in the prevalence of psychiatric hospitalizations in either of the populations (p = 0.317 and p = 1.00, respectively). Out of autoregressive behaviors among children during the pandemic period, only the frequency of thinking about death increased (p = 0.038). No suicidal attempts were undertaken by children in either of the evaluated time periods. The presence of all autoaggressive behaviors was greater among adolescents compared to children both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A subjective decrease in psychophysical well-being, an increase in the frequency of seeking mental health help during the pandemic, as well as an increased prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms were observed in the under-18 population as a potential consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and related socioeconomic changes. The marked increase in self-harm behavior in the adolescent population (age > 12) and the marked increase in the frequency of death thinking in children (age ≤ 12) suggests the need for greater awareness and easier access to professional help from mental health specialists, particularly in a time of unprecedented stress and social isolation.

Cross-Sectional and Descriptive Study on the Challenges and Awareness of Hispanic Parents Regarding Their Adolescents' Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Research has shown that during the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 20% of children and adolescents in the United States experienced mental health issues that became a significant social concern. However, recent studies have demonstrated that the majority of adolescents maintain positive emotions despite the crisis. This cross-sectional and descriptive study delves into the emotional states of adolescents during the pandemic, considering the viewpoints of both adolescents and their parents, with a specific focus on Hispanic adolescents. Survey results revealed that most adolescents reported positive and happy moods. However, a percentage of adolescents experienced worry, significant changes in feelings, and loneliness as a result of the physical and social isolation associated with virtual learning. Unfortunately, most surveyed Hispanic parents did not adequately recognize their adolescents' mood changes well. This lack of awareness, caused by factors such as an insufficient understanding about the importance of adolescent mental health, cultural reasons, language barriers, low education, unstable jobs, and more, could lead to missed opportunities for timely mental health interventions. This study seeks to provide a comprehensive discussion on the mental health of adolescents, while also advocating for the emotional wellbeing of Hispanic adolescents.

The Suicide Prevention for College Student (SPCS) Gatekeepers Program

Background: Linking college students with mental health services is critical, especially now, as many students report increased mental health concerns and suicidal ideation in the wake of COVID-19. The Suicide Prevention for College Student (SPCS) Gatekeepers Program provides student education and training to help link those in need with appropriate services. Aims: This study aimed to replicate and extend pilot study results by examining the effects of the training program across a larger, more diverse sample of students. Method: As part of three SAMHSA Mental Health and Training Grants, the program was implemented across three college campuses over three years. Results: At posttest, those who participated in the program demonstrated increased knowledge, suicide prevention self-efficacy, and decreased stigma towards suicide. A follow-up questionnaire revealed that students continued to demonstrate program gains 12 weeks after participating, but there was a slight decline in knowledge and self-efficacy between posttest and follow-up. Limitations: Attrition at follow-up should be addressed in future research, and reliability and validity of measures should be further assessed. Conclusion: This study provides support for the efficacy and generalizability of the SPCS Gatekeepers training program.