The Impact of COVID-19 on College Student Care-Givers' Mental Health

Location

Online - Session 2C

Start Date

4-21-2021 12:10 PM

Major Field of Study

Global Public Health

Student Type

Undergraduate

Faculty Mentor(s)

Brett Bayles, PhD

Presentation Format

Oral Presentation

Abstract/Description

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global mental health. The pandemic situation has created obstacles that affect some groups, including college students acting as family caregivers, may be particularly vulnerable to the psychological impacts of the disease. The aim of this study was to identify correlation between mental health and COVID-19 academic policies among college students who became caregivers during the school year.

Methods

A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted with students from a small, liberal arts university in the Northern California Bay Area. Variables related to depression, anxiety, and caregiver status were used to better understand the effects of the pandemic among college students providing care for COVID-19-infected family members. The data were analyzed through qualitative methods through the use SPSS.

Results

The student participants indicated that there has been an increase in depression and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Majority of students had lower levels of depression and anxiety before the pandemic. Less than half of the students surveyed had become a caregiver during the pandemic while attending school full time. The student population was not heavily affected by becoming a care-giver.

Conclusion

The long-lasting pandemic situation brought negative impacts on college level students. The results of the study indicate that both care-giver and non-care-giver students had higher rates of depression and anxiety due to COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, care-giver, college student, mental health, anxiety, depression

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Apr 21st, 12:10 PM

The Impact of COVID-19 on College Student Care-Givers' Mental Health

Online - Session 2C

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global mental health. The pandemic situation has created obstacles that affect some groups, including college students acting as family caregivers, may be particularly vulnerable to the psychological impacts of the disease. The aim of this study was to identify correlation between mental health and COVID-19 academic policies among college students who became caregivers during the school year.

Methods

A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted with students from a small, liberal arts university in the Northern California Bay Area. Variables related to depression, anxiety, and caregiver status were used to better understand the effects of the pandemic among college students providing care for COVID-19-infected family members. The data were analyzed through qualitative methods through the use SPSS.

Results

The student participants indicated that there has been an increase in depression and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Majority of students had lower levels of depression and anxiety before the pandemic. Less than half of the students surveyed had become a caregiver during the pandemic while attending school full time. The student population was not heavily affected by becoming a care-giver.

Conclusion

The long-lasting pandemic situation brought negative impacts on college level students. The results of the study indicate that both care-giver and non-care-giver students had higher rates of depression and anxiety due to COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, care-giver, college student, mental health, anxiety, depression