Academic and non-academic predictors of common mental health difficulties among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Worsley, J, Dryburgh, A, McIntyre, JC ORCID: 0000-0002-5601-524X and Corcoran, R ORCID: 0000-0001-8900-9199 (2024) Academic and non-academic predictors of common mental health difficulties among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic Frontiers in Public Health, 12. 1441176-. ISSN 2296-2565, 2296-2565

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Abstract

Introduction: Public concern for the mental health of university students has been rising over recent years. Newly arising stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic could contribute to further mental health burden for students. This study aimed to understand the mental health status of university students at an early stage in the pandemic and to identify academic, non-academic, and COVID-19-related predictors of common mental health difficulties at this time. Methods: This study examined how academic and non-academic predictors relate to common mental health difficulties using a cross-sectional sample of university students (n = 3817). Results: There were high levels of depression and anxiety during the pandemic, with more than 50% experiencing levels above the clinical cut offs. Academic stress, social isolation, intolerance of uncertainty, and more negative attitudes towards remote teaching and learning predicted higher levels of depression and anxiety. University identification predicted lower levels of depression whereas receiving a diagnosis of COVID-19 was associated with higher levels of depression. Discussion: This study identified COVID-19-related factors that uniquely contributed to students’ distress during the pandemic, over and above social connectivity variables. As COVID-19 factors, such as the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, may have driven an increase in distress levels among students, these findings provide insights that could help universities and policymakers develop targeted interventions to support the mental health and well-being of university students during future crises.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Stress, Psychological, Social Isolation, Anxiety, Mental Health, Students, Universities, Adolescent, Adult, Female, Male, Young Adult, Pandemics, Surveys and Questionnaires, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	25 Oct 2024 10:03
Last Modified:	23 May 2026 06:18
DOI:	10.3389/fpubh.2024.1441176
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1441176
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3186232
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