Description
Several studies have shown that distress levels increased during the COVID-19 pandemic relative to pre-pandemic levels (Aknin et al., 2022; Fruehwirth et al., 2021). The current study examined whether distress was highest in the fall 2020 semester, relative to fall 2021 and fall 2022. Participants included 301 college students who completed online self-report measures from September 2020-December 2022 across three fall semesters. The outcome variables included combined levels of anxiety, depression and stress change from the prior 12 months to the time of the self-report. One way ANOVA showed changes across time for distress with a clear decline in distress in fall 2022. Findings from this study provide insight into the need for increasing attention to mental health and coordination resources especially for college students as well as the need to monitor changing distress levels over time.
How COVID-19 Concerns Have Changed Over Time
Several studies have shown that distress levels increased during the COVID-19 pandemic relative to pre-pandemic levels (Aknin et al., 2022; Fruehwirth et al., 2021). The current study examined whether distress was highest in the fall 2020 semester, relative to fall 2021 and fall 2022. Participants included 301 college students who completed online self-report measures from September 2020-December 2022 across three fall semesters. The outcome variables included combined levels of anxiety, depression and stress change from the prior 12 months to the time of the self-report. One way ANOVA showed changes across time for distress with a clear decline in distress in fall 2022. Findings from this study provide insight into the need for increasing attention to mental health and coordination resources especially for college students as well as the need to monitor changing distress levels over time.