College Mental Health Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a Nationwide Survey

Kim, Hanjoo; Rackoff, Gavin N.; Fitzsimmons‐Craft, Ellen E.; Shin, Ki Eun; Zainal, Nur Hani; Schwob, Jeremy T.; Eisenberg, Daniel; Wilfley, Denise E.; Taylor, C. Barr; Newman, Michelle G.

doi:10.1007/s10608-021-10241-5

Cited by 127 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Eight studies (participant n s = 48–8,613) assessed a cohort of participants during the pandemic and compared their symptom severity to a different cohort assessed prior to the pandemic (Calugi et al, 2021 ; Christensen et al, 2021 ; Kim et al, 2021 ; Koenig et al, 2021 ; Muzi et al, 2021 ; Richardson et al, 2020 ; Spettigue et al, 2021 ; Zhou & Wade, 2021 ). Only three of these studies (37%) reported no significant differences in certain demographic or clinical characteristics between the two cohorts (Calugi et al, 2021 ; Keonig et al 2021; Zhou & Wade, 2021 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Overall, findings were mixed due to heterogeneous sample sizes, target populations, and constructs assessed. Three studies (50%) reported no significant cohort differences in binge eating severity (Calugi et al, 2021 ; Muzi et al, 2021 ; Richardson et al, 2020 ), while one study (16%) observed significantly higher rates of a probable binge‐eating‐type disorder in the pandemic cohort (14.4%) relative to the pre‐pandemic cohort (10.6%) (Kim et al, 2021 ). One study (16%) found the pandemic cohort to report significantly higher levels of eating disorder psychopathology (Zhou & Wade, 2021 ), but this was not replicated in a different study (Koenig et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A systematic scoping review of research on COVID‐19 impacts on eating disorders: A critical appraisal of the evidence and recommendations for the field

Linardon

Messer

Rodgers

et al. 2021

Intl J Eating Disorders

134

115

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Objective Research investigating the effects of COVID‐19 on eating disorders is growing rapidly. A comprehensive evaluation of this literature is needed to identify key findings and evidence gaps to better inform policy decisions related to the management of eating disorders during and after this crisis. We conducted a systematic scoping review synthesizing and appraising this literature. Method Empirical research on COVID‐19 impacts on eating disorder severity, prevalence, and demand for treatment was searched. No sample restrictions were applied. Findings ( n = 70 studies) were synthesized across six themes: (a) suspected eating disorder cases during COVID‐19; (b) perceived pandemic impacts on symptoms; (c) symptom severity pre versus during the pandemic; (d) pandemic‐related correlates of symptom severity; (e) impacts on carers/parents; and (f) treatment experiences during COVID‐19. Results Pandemic impacts on rates of probable eating disorders, symptom deterioration, and general mental health varied substantially. Symptom escalation and mental health worsening during―and due to―the pandemic were commonly reported, and those most susceptible included confirmed eating disorder cases, at‐risk populations (young women, athletes, parent/carers), and individuals highly anxious or fearful of COVID‐19. Evidence emerged for increased demand for specialist eating disorder services during the pandemic. The forced transition to online treatment was challenging for many, yet telehealth alternatives seemed feasible and effective. Discussion Evidence for COVID‐19 effects is mostly limited to participant self‐report or retrospective recall, cross‐sectional and descriptive studies, and samples of convenience. Several novel pathways for future research that aim to better understand, monitor, and support those negatively affected by the pandemic are formulated.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic scoping review of research on COVID‐19 impacts on eating disorders: A critical appraisal of the evidence and recommendations for the field

Linardon

Messer

Rodgers

et al. 2021

Intl J Eating Disorders

134

115

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Eight papers focused on the prevalence of anxiety in university students [ 36 , 47 , 54 , 60 , 68 , 83 , 98 , 106 ]. The total sample size of the student group was n = 183,390, with n = 113,504 females, n = 64,114 males, and n = 2772 participants who identified as other.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anxiety Linked to COVID-19: A Systematic Review Comparing Anxiety Rates in Different Populations

Saeed

Eslami

Nassif

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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The COVID-19 pandemic has incited a rise in anxiety, with uncertainty regarding the specific impacts and risk factors across multiple populations. A qualitative systematic review was conducted to investigate the prevalence and associations of anxiety in different sample populations in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Four databases were utilised in the search (Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO). The review period commenced in April 2021 and was finalised on 5 July 2021. A total of 3537 studies were identified of which 87 were included in the review (sample size: 755,180). Healthcare workers had the highest prevalence of anxiety (36%), followed by university students (34.7%), the general population (34%), teachers (27.2%), parents (23.3%), pregnant women (19.5%), and police (8.79%). Risk factors such as being female, having pre-existing mental conditions, lower socioeconomic status, increased exposure to infection, and being younger all contributed to worsened anxiety. The review included studies published before July 2021; due to the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, this may have excluded relevant papers. Restriction to only English papers and a sample size > 1000 may have also limited the range of papers included. These findings identify groups who are most vulnerable to developing anxiety in a pandemic and what specific risk factors are most common across multiple populations.

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“…In the existing literature there are inconsistent results regarding eating disorders: Breiner et al demonstrated no significant changes in global scores of EDE-Q (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire) as well as self-induced vomiting and laxative use from prior to during the pandemic ( 56 ). On the other hand, some studies reported an increase in eating disorder symptoms ( 25 , 57 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

More Depressive Symptoms, Alcohol and Drug Consumption: Increase in Mental Health Symptoms Among University Students After One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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Background: As the majority of studies examining mental health during the pandemic are cross-sectional, little is known about the changes in mental health during the pandemic, especially in university students. Most studies indicate a worsening of mental health conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the mental health status of German university students during the third wave of the pandemic in 2021 and to compare the results to a sample of a congruent cross-sectional study from 2020.Methods: Two cross-sectional and anonymous online surveys among university students were conducted (first survey: July-August 2020, N = 3,382; second survey: March-April 2021, N = 5,642). Mental health status was assessed with standardized measures (depressive symptoms, alcohol and drug consumption, and eating disorder symptoms), and social and emotional aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed. In addition to descriptive statistics and group comparisons of the two survey samples from 2020 and 2021, respectively, risk and protective factors related to mental health were analyzed.Results: There were significant differences in severities of depressive symptoms and alcohol and drug consumption between the two online surveys from 2020 and 2021. Findings suggest an increase in the severity of depressive symptoms as well as alcohol and drug consumption. Significantly more respondents reported suicidal ideation in the survey from 2021. Lower self-efficacy, less social support and lower resilience as well as higher perceived stress and more loneliness were reported by the participants of the survey from 2021 compared to 2020. Regarding factors predicting mental health symptoms, being female was a positive predictor for hazardous alcohol use and anorexia nervosa in comparison to men. Further, younger age, being diverse, higher perceived stress and loneliness were positive predictors for all mental health outcomes.Conclusion: This study reveals an increase in severities of depressive symptoms, including suicidal ideation, drug and alcohol consumption among students. Being diverse, younger age, higher perceived stress and loneliness were mutual risk factors for higher depressive and eating disorder symptoms as well as alcohol consumption. Universities and health care policy should recognize and address mental health issues of young adults during ongoing times of crisis and invest in easy-to-access interventions.

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College Mental Health Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a Nationwide Survey

Cited by 127 publications

References 46 publications

A systematic scoping review of research on COVID‐19 impacts on eating disorders: A critical appraisal of the evidence and recommendations for the field

A systematic scoping review of research on COVID‐19 impacts on eating disorders: A critical appraisal of the evidence and recommendations for the field

Anxiety Linked to COVID-19: A Systematic Review Comparing Anxiety Rates in Different Populations

More Depressive Symptoms, Alcohol and Drug Consumption: Increase in Mental Health Symptoms Among University Students After One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

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