Dataset Information

A Descriptive Study of COVID-19-Related Experiences and Perspectives of a National Sample of College Students in Spring 2020.

ABSTRACT: PURPOSE:This is one of the first surveys of a USA-wide sample of full-time college students about their COVID-19-related experiences in spring 2020. METHODS:We surveyed 725 full-time college students aged 18-22 years recruited via Instagram promotions on April 25-30, 2020. We inquired about their COVID-19-related experiences and perspectives, documented opportunities for transmission, and assessed COVID-19's perceived impacts to date. RESULTS:Thirty-five percent of participants experienced any COVID-19-related symptoms from February to April 2020, but less than 5% of them got tested, and only 46% stayed home exclusively while experiencing symptoms. Almost all (95%) had sheltered in place/stayed primarily at home by late April 2020; 53% started sheltering in place before any state had an official stay-at-home order, and more than one-third started sheltering before any metropolitan area had an order. Participants were more stressed about COVID-19's health implications for their family and for American society than for themselves. Participants were open to continuing the restrictions in place in late April 2020 for an extended period of time to reduce pandemic spread. CONCLUSIONS:There is substantial opportunity for improved public health responses to COVID-19 among college students, including for testing and contact tracing. In addition, because most participants restricted their behaviors before official stay-at-home orders went into effect, they may continue to restrict movement after stay-at-home orders are lifted, including when colleges reopen for in-person activities, if they decide it is not yet prudent to circulate freely. The public health, economic, and educational implications of COVID-19 are continuing to unfold; future studies must continue to monitor college student experiences and perspectives.

SUBMITTER: Cohen AK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7313499 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A Descriptive Study of COVID-19-Related Experiences and Perspectives of a National Sample of College Students in Spring 2020.

Cohen Alison K AK Hoyt Lindsay T LT Dull Brandon B

The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine 20200624 3

<h4>Purpose</h4>This is one of the first surveys of a USA-wide sample of full-time college students about their COVID-19-related experiences in spring 2020.<h4>Methods</h4>We surveyed 725 full-time college students aged 18-22 years recruited via Instagram promotions on April 25-30, 2020. We inquired about their COVID-19-related experiences and perspectives, documented opportunities for transmission, and assessed COVID-19's perceived impacts to date.<h4>Results</h4>Thirty-five percent of particip ...[more]

PMID: 32593564

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Project description:Background Research suggests varied dietary impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including an increase in meal and snack frequency. While some studies report an increase in home cooking and fresh produce consumption, others report less favorable changes in diet patterns. Limited research examines these patterns in college students. Objective This cross-sectional study explored self-reported changes in food intake patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic in a multiethnic sample of college students. Study Design, Setting, and Participants A web-based survey was administered to students enrolled in a general education introductory nutrition course during the 2020-2021 academic year. Two open-ended items were used to capture self-reported changes in food intake and drivers of those changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity was assessed using the USDA six-item food security module. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Two researchers collaborated to develop a codebook and then assign codes independently to open-ended responses. Chi-square tests were used to investigate relationships between food security status and reported diet changes. Results Participants (n = 436) were predominantly (77%) female; 39% identified as Hispanic/Latino, 33% identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, and 19% identified as Caucasian. A majority of participants (n = 295, 67.7%) reported diet changes as a result of the pandemic. Participants indicated mixed impacts on food intake, such as an increase or decrease in food intake, snacking more, eating less healthy, or eating healthier. Participants attributed diet changes to increased health consciousness, increased time at home, eating more home-prepared foods, changes in activity level, and increased feelings of boredom. Among respondents who reported a COVID-related diet impact, those experiencing food insecurity were more likely to report eating less healthy because of the pandemic (P = 0.01). Conclusions A majority of students reported a change in food intake; while the type of change varied, food insecurity emerged as a factor significantly associated with self-reported dietary changes considered less healthy. Funding None

Project description:This study explored the reflections of college students at different stages of their service provided to preschoolers and proposed recommendations on service-learning curricula according to the research findings. Thirty-six college juniors enrolled in an academic service-learning course were asked to complete a service-learning project, to undertake service activities in the form of eight storytelling sessions at preschools. This storytelling plan was 1.5-hour-long each, twice per month, for 16-weeks. Qualitative case study approach was employed in this study. Data consisted of documentation of the participants' reflections, focus group interviews, and research logs. The thematic analysis was employed to analyze data and data were analyzed using the constant comparative technique. The study revealed that the contents of participants' reflections took on a qualitative change as their service experience accumulated. Before their service experience, their reflections focused on personal expectations. This shifted professional learning and personal growth during the service experience. After their service experiences, their reflections were extended to include social concern. Also, the participants were inspired to actively acquire professional knowledge from their service experiences. Various reflection activities triggered different levels and functions of reflection by the participants. Writing activities caused the participants to focus on personal reflection, providing the opportunity for them to examine and adjust their ideas; group discussion activities allowed the participants to focus on group dialogue, with which they achieved learning and gained identity. Finally, students experienced emotional highs and lows during their experience of service, describing tension and fear initially, then joy or disquietude subsequently. Recommendations based on the research results were provided to facilitate planning of the service-learning curriculum by college educators.

Dataset Information

A Descriptive Study of COVID-19-Related Experiences and Perspectives of a National Sample of College Students in Spring 2020.

Publications

A Descriptive Study of COVID-19-Related Experiences and Perspectives of a National Sample of College Students in Spring 2020.

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