Predictors of Student Anxiety during Pandemic Lockdown COVID-19

Abstract

Evidence of psychological stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including anxiety, depression, etc. has been presented in many scientific papers. This is especially true for university students, who are a unique group experiencing constantly increased psychological stress associated with studying during a pandemic. This study aims to identify the factors that determine the severity of student anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Self-reported data on anxiety and psychological distress as a result of exposure to COVID-19 were collected on samples of students from 18 to 22 years old (N = 86), of which 53 were women and 33 were men. To study the predictors, multiple regression analysis and Studentʼs t-test were used. An increased risk of psychological stress was associated with the female gender. Characteristics such as embarrassed, agitated and in disarray, when assessed by students, are more likely to contribute to increased anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychosemantic predictors of studentsʼ personal anxiety are such qualities as frightened and weak, which corresponds to the anxious-fearful personality type. Also, triggers of anxiety disorders in students can be a loss of control over the situation and the need to take personal initiative, especially in the interpersonal sphere of life. In conclusion, it is concluded that the present study highlights some of the factors associated with an increased risk of developing psychological stress in students due to COVID-19 and can be used for psychological interventions.