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Social isolation and psychological distress among southern US college students in the era of COVID-19
Preprint
in English
| medRxiv
| ID: ppmedrxiv-21268596
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo examine the prevalence of psychological distress and its association with social isolation among University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) students. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was emailed to all students in June 2020. Students reported self-isolating none, some, most, or all of the time and were screened for clinically significant symptoms of depression (CSSD). Data were weighted to the UNC-CH population. Results7,012 students completed surveys-64% reported self-isolating most or all of the time and 64% reported CSSD. Compared to those self-isolating none of the time, students self-isolating some of the time were 1.78 (95% CI 1.37-2.30) times as likely to report CSSD, and students self-isolating most and all of the time were 2.12 (95% CI 1.64-2.74) and 2.27 (95% CI 1.75-2.94) times as likely to report CSSD, respectively. ConclusionsUniversities should prioritize student mental health and prepare support services to mitigate mental health consequences of the pandemic.
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Full text:
Available
Collection:
Preprints
Database:
medRxiv
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Rct
Language:
English
Year:
2022
Document type:
Preprint
