Elizabeth D Hathaway1, Karissa L Peyer1, Kevin A Doyle2. 1. Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. 2. School of Professional Studies, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Shelter-in-place and social distancing reduce the risk of infection spread, but evidence is appearing to support an unintentional spread of negative mental health effects. The aim of this study was to assess perceived stress in a sample of undergraduate students reflecting upon Spring 2020. Participants and methods: Undergraduate students (N = 312, 75% female, 88% white) completed an online survey assessing demographic information and stress assessed via Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale. Results: Student respondents averaged PSS scores of 21.31(7.54) with 82% of students classified as having moderate or high perceived stress. Females reported higher perceived stress scores compared to males (Z = 4.89, p < 0.01). Conclusions: With concerns about enrollment and financial viability of universities, funneling limited funds to student mental health services could be a utilization of universities' limited funds during Fall 2020.
OBJECTIVE: Shelter-in-place and social distancing reduce the risk of infection spread, but evidence is appearing to support an unintentional spread of negative mental health effects. The aim of this study was to assess perceived stress in a sample of undergraduate students reflecting upon Spring 2020. Participants and methods: Undergraduate students (N = 312, 75% female, 88% white) completed an online survey assessing demographic information and stress assessed via Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale. Results: Student respondents averaged PSS scores of 21.31(7.54) with 82% of students classified as having moderate or high perceived stress. Females reported higher perceived stress scores compared to males (Z = 4.89, p < 0.01). Conclusions: With concerns about enrollment and financial viability of universities, funneling limited funds to student mental health services could be a utilization of universities' limited funds during Fall 2020.
Entities:
Keywords:
College; coronavirus; covid-19; stress; university
Authors: Anita Jagroop-Dearing; Griffin Leonard; Syed M Shahid; Ondene van Dulm Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-06 Impact factor: 4.614