Association between COVID-19-related loneliness or worry and symptoms of anxiety and depression among first-year college students

Christopher J. Mehus, Grace Lyden, Erin E. Bonar, Meredith Gunlicks-Stoessel, Nicole Morrell, Michael J. Parks, Anna C Wagner, Megan E Patrick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between COVID-19-related distress and mental health among first-year college students. Participants: Data for this longitudinal study (n = 727) were collected before the school year (August 2019), end of fall semester (December 2019), and soon after the university suspended in-person instruction (April 2020). Methods: We used multivariable log-linear and logistic regressions to examine continuous and dichotomous outcomes on the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale. Results: The most consistent predictor of during-pandemic mental health was feeling extremely isolated (versus not at all), which was associated with increased symptom severity of depression (proportional change[95% CI] = 2.43[1.87, 3.15]) and anxiety (2.02[1.50, 2.73]) and greater odds of new moderate depression (OR[95% CI] = 14.83[3.00, 73.41]) and anxiety (24.74[2.91, 210.00]). Greater COVID-19-related concern was also related to increased mental health symptoms. Conclusions: Results highlight the need for mental health services during crises that lead to social isolation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1332-1337
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of American College Health
Volume71
Issue number5
Early online dateJul 9 2021
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 9 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • COVID-19
  • depression
  • loneliness

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