COVID-19 pandemic impact on food insecurity among college students: A mixed methods study.

Objectives: This study explores whether the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) among US college students. Participants: College students (n = 489) enrolled at a Mid-Atlantic university. Methods: A mixed methods design was utilized for data collection and analysis through an electronic survey and semi-structured interviews. Multiple regression was used to assess predictors of FI before and during COVID-19. The McNemar test determined if significant differences in FI existed. The interviews were used to explore students' personal experience with FI during the pandemic. Results: Black students (p = 0.045) and students moving in with their parents due to campus closures (p = 0.032) exhibited a higher degree of FI during the pandemic than before. Three main themes emerged from the interviews: decreased food autonomy, limited access to food, and limited access to healthful food. Conclusions: The pandemic increased the prevalence of FI among college students. Race and living arrangements were strong predictors of FI.

Mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having profound effects on college students, and those with mental health conditions are more vulnerable to the impact of this stress. Objective: To study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students' mental health. Participants: Participants (n=489) were mostly female, undergraduate, and aged 18-25. Methods: Participants completed an online survey assessing symptoms of mental health problems including hopelessness, loneliness, sadness, anxiety, sadness, and anger. Results: Approximately 81.6 % self-reported at least one negative mental health symptom. Students reported increased feelings of hopelessness (+7.8%), loneliness (+6.7%), sadness (+8.8%), depression (+2.6%), anxiety (+5.2%), and anger (+14.6%) during the pandemic than before. LGBTQ students and Black students had significantly more mental health symptoms during the pandemic than straight and White students. Conclusions: Results of this study highlight the negative impact of the pandemic and resultant changes on college students' mental health.