Psychosocial Impact Of Covid-19 On Students at Institutions Of Higher Learning
Abstract
Students at higher institutions of learning are more susceptible to psychosocial problems
compared to the general public. These may further be exacerbated by the measures put
in place to curb the spread of COVID-19. This mixed methods study examined the factors
associated with the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on students’ financial stability,
interpersonal relationships and worries related to achieving academic milestones.
Data comprised of a series of closed and open-ended questions collected via Qualtrics
from students in the United States and Africa (Central and West). The quantitative
data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and chi-square, while the qualitative
data was analyzed using thematic content analysis. More than 90% of the students resided
in the United States, 72.5% were females and 78.4% were undergraduates. Financial
hardship was experienced by 26.4% of the students, 55.8% indicated that COVID-19 negatively
affected their relationship with friends and over 40% worried over delays in achieving
academic milestones. Continent of residence, employment status and financial hardship
were significantly associated with the negative impact of COVID-19 on one or more
of the students’ relationships and with worries about achieving academic milestones.
Qualitative data support the findings that financial hardship contributed to experience
of psychological distress by students. It also revealed negative (compromised relationships
– broken or fractured relationships and loneliness) and positive (bonding) impact
of COVID-19 on interpersonal relationships. School administrators should provide students
with resources to access economic relief packages and tele-counseling services to
help meet their financial and psychosocial support needs amidst COVID-19.
Type
Journal articlePermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/23449Collections
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Charles Muiruri
Assistant Professor of Population Health Sciences
Dr. Muiruri is a health services researcher, Assistant Professor in the Duke Department
of Population Health Sciences, Assistant Research Professor in the Global Health Institute,
and Adjunct lecturer at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi
Tanzania. Broadly, his research seeks to improve the quality of healthcare and reduce
disparities for persons with multiple chronic conditions both in and outside the United
States. His current work focuses on prevention of non
Helene Vilme
Medical Instructor in the Department of Population Health Sciences
Dr. Vilme is a social scientist with training in public health, specializing in health
promotion and health education. She has expertise in community-based participatory research,
qualitative and quantitative research methods, and program evaluation. Her research
focuses on how the food environment influences diet and weight among college students;
the interplay of food security and neighborhood effects on diet; and neighborhood
racial/ethnic disparities related to expos
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