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
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