Worsening of psychotic experiences in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Zimmerman J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9233997 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Worsening of psychotic experiences in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zimmerman J J DeTore N R NR Deng W W Burke A A Nyer M M Holt D J DJ
Schizophrenia research 20220627
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Project description:BackgroundPrevious research has shown the strong association between psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and suicide. However, the predictive role of PLEs in suicidal ideation (SI) during the COVID-19 pandemic remains unclear.AimsThis study aimed to explore the association between PLEs before the pandemic and SI during the pandemic among late adolescents.MethodsA total of 938 technical secondary school and college students completed both waves of the online survey before and during the pandemic. PLEs were assessed through the 15-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences. SI was evaluated by the frequency of SI during the pandemic.ResultsIn early stage of the pandemic, most students had low frequent SI, and only 3.3% students showed high frequent SI. Compared to the low frequent group, the high frequent group exhibited significantly higher levels of PLEs (p < 0.001) and scored lower in resilience (p = .001) and perceived social support (p = .008) across the two timepoints. PLEs were significantly associated with higher risk of high frequent SI (OR = 2.56, 95%: 1.07-6.13), while better resilience (OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88-0.99) and stronger perceived social support (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99) appeared to be protective factors. No interactions were found among PLEs and other psychosocial and psychological factors.ConclusionsPLEs may increase the risk of SI in early stage of the pandemic, while good resilience and adequate social support can help weaken the risk.
| S-EPMC10357784 | biostudies-literature
Project description:When the COVID-19 pandemic began, U.S. college students reported increased anxiety and depression. This study examines mental health among U.S college students during the subsequent 2020-2021 academic year by surveying students at the end of the fall 2020 and the spring 2021 semesters. Our data provide cross-sectional snapshots and longitudinal changes. Both surveys included the PSS, GAD-7, PHQ-8, questions about students' academic experiences and sense of belonging in online, in-person, and hybrid classes, and additional questions regarding behaviors, living circumstances, and demographics. The spring 2021 study included a larger, stratified sample of eight demographic groups, and we added scales to examine relationships between mental health and students' perceptions of their universities' COVID-19 policies. Our results show higher-than-normal frequencies of mental health struggles throughout the 2020-2021 academic year, and these were substantially higher for female college students, but by spring 2021, the levels did not vary substantially by race/ethnicity, living circumstances, vaccination status, or perceptions of university COVID-19 policies. Mental health struggles inversely correlated with scales of academic and non-academic experiences, but the struggles positively correlated with time on social media. In both semesters, students reported more positive experiences with in-person classes, though all class types were rated higher in the spring semester, indicating improvements in college students' course experiences as the pandemic continued. Furthermore, our longitudinal data indicate the persistence of mental health struggles across semesters. Overall, these studies show factors that contributed to mental health challenges among college students as the pandemic continued.
| S-EPMC10176088 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveAlthough students have been found to be at high risk of distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about the pandemic's impact on psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). We conducted a study in technical secondary school and college students before and during the pandemic to explore changes in PLEs and relevant influential factors.MethodsA total of 938 students completed both waves of the survey through electronic questionnaires. PLEs were assessed using the 15-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-P15). Childhood trauma, perceived stress, resilience, and demographic factors were evaluated at baseline, and psychological status was measured during the pandemic.ResultsThe overall CAPE-P15 scores significantly decreased during the pandemic. Students with persistent PLEs showed the most severe COVID-19 related psychological symptoms, followed by new-onset and remitted individuals; those without PLEs exhibited the mildest symptoms (all p < .001). A single parent family (OR = 4.707), more childhood trauma (OR = 1.056), and a higher family income (OR = 1.658) were predictive of new-onset PLEs during the pandemic, while better resilience was a protective factor, associated with remission of previous PLEs (OR = 0.932).ConclusionsDespite a downward trend in the prevalence of PLEs during the pandemic, PLEs predict greater serious psychological impact due to COVID-19, especially for students with persistent PLEs. Interventions that cultivate students' resilience are urgently needed to reduce PLEs and improve mental health, especially for students from single parent households or those who have experienced childhood trauma.
| S-EPMC9190274 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Research suggests that COVID-19-related restrictions affected individuals’ ability to
| S-EPMC9988628 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused tremendous changes in daily living, which may be related to mental health problems, including psychotic experiences, though research has only begun to assess these associations.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Survey (Fall Semester Cohort 2020), which is a non-probability sample of students attending one of 36 universities in the United States, who completed an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic (September-December 2020). We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the associations between several COVID-19 dimensions (anxiety, discrimination, financial distress, infection, illness of loved one, death of loved one, caregiving) and 12-month psychotic experiences, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and international student status.ResultsEach individual COVID-19 dimension was significantly associated with greater odds of having 12-month psychotic experiences, with the exception of being a caregiver. When accounting for all COVID-19 dimensions simultaneously in the same model, only COVID-19 related anxiety, financial distress, and infection were associated with psychotic experiences.ConclusionCOVID-19 dimensions were linked to psychotic experiences among university students, which may also apply to the larger population. This can potentially inform assessment and treatment during the pandemic.
| S-EPMC8438539 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundCollege students experience high stress levels during emergency remote classes in the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is not clear whether this is due to the summation effect of both stressors (classes and pandemic). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate predictors of stress in college students before and during remote classes five months after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe study was conducted before (BRC, July-August 2020) and during remote classes (DRC, October-November 2020). The sample consisted of 177 individuals (80 in BRC, 97 in DRC). Students were asked to self-collect saliva for cortisol analysis at each moment of the study, and to fill out a form to characterize the individual and assess the chronotype (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and the stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10).ResultsThere was no difference between the evaluated periods for cortisol, perceived stress or sleep quality. Predictors for cortisol levels were gender, academic semester, chronotype, sleep quality and sadness due to pandemic (p<0.001).LimitationsShort interval between BRC and DRC assessments of perceived stress and salivary cortisol.ConclusionsAge, sex, income, academic semester, chronotype, and the impact of the pandemic on mood are predictors of stress among college students. In addition, emergency remote classes and sleep quality contribute to less stress.
| S-EPMC9250709 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of historically underrepresented graduate students, more than half of whom were enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This focus group study represents an initial stage in developing an intervention for historically underrepresented graduate students and their families.BackgroundUnderrepresentation of graduate students of color in STEM has been attributed to a myriad of factors, including a lack of support systems. Familial support is an endorsed reason for persisting in graduate school. It is unclear what historically underrepresented graduate students' experiences are during uncertain times, such as a pandemic.MethodFocus groups were conducted online using a videoconferencing platform during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five focus groups included: historically underrepresented doctoral students (n = 5), historically underrepresented master's students (n = 6), academic faculty (n = 7), administrator, administrative faculty, and academic faculty (n = 6), and families of historically underrepresented doctoral students (n = 6). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsHistorically underrepresented graduate students experienced difficulties in accessing resources, adjustments to home and family life, amplification of existing nonfinancial issues, and expressed both fears of and hopes for the future.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities in access to resources as well as nonfinancial family support.ImplicationsThis study may help normalize historically underrepresented graduate students' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings include ideas for informing families about graduate school that can enlighten family support efforts for historically underrepresented graduate students and their families.
| S-EPMC8444674 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveThis study investigated if the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic influenced college student food insecurity and factors that might contribute to a student becoming newly food insecure.DesignA convenience sample was assessed using a cross-sectional survey.SettingOnline.ParticipantsCollege students (n = 2,018) enrolled at a land-grant institution in Appalachia.Main outcome measure(s)Food insecurity was assessed using the Hunger Vital Sign with reference before COVID-19 and since COVID-19. Demographic and pandemic-specific questions and their associations with food insecurity status were assessed.AnalysisStudents were categorized as food secure (food secure before and since COVID-19 or food insecure in the year before COVID-19 but not food insecure since COVID-19), consistently food insecure (food insecure before and since COVID-19), and newly food insecure (food secure before but food insecure since COVID-19). Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between new food insecurity and contributing factors.ResultsOf respondents, 68.4% were food secure, 16.5% were consistently food insecure, and 15.1% were newly food insecure. Loss of employment, increased grocery expenditure, anxiety, and a perceived threat posed by COVID-19 were significant indicators of students being newly food insecure.Conclusions and implicationsMore students were facing food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued advocacy for sustainable solutions to college food insecurity is needed.
| S-EPMC8579240 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in pronounced changes for college students, including shifts in living situations and engagement in virtual environments. Although college drinking decreased at the onset of the pandemic, a nuanced understanding of pandemic-related changes in drinking contexts and the risks conferred by each context on alcohol use and related consequences have yet to be assessed.MethodsSecondary data analyses were conducted on screening data from a large parent clinical trial assessing a college student drinking intervention (N = 1669). Participants across six cohorts (from Spring 2020 to Summer 2021) reported on the frequency of drinking in each context (i.e., outside the home, home alone, home with others in-person, and home with others virtually), typical amount of drinking, and seven alcohol-related consequence subscales.ResultsDescriptive statistics and negative binomial regressions indicated that the proportion and frequency of drinking at home virtually with others decreased, while drinking outside the home increased from Spring 2020 to Summer 2021. Limited differences were observed in the proportion or frequency of individuals drinking at home alone or at home with others in-person. Negative binomial and logistic regressions indicated that the frequency of drinking outside the home was most consistently associated with more alcohol-related consequences (i.e., six of the seven subscales). However, drinking at home was not without risks; drinking home alone was associated with abuse/dependence, personal, social, hangover, and social media consequences; drinking home with others virtually was associated with abuse/dependence and social consequences; drinking home with others in-person was associated with drunk texting/dialing.ConclusionThe proportion and frequency of drinking in certain contexts changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, although drinking outside the home represented the highest risk drinking context across the pandemic. Future prevention and intervention efforts may benefit from considering approaches specific to different drinking contexts.
| S-EPMC9720698 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The COVID-19 pandemic changed our world as we know it and continues to be a global problem three years since the pandemic began. Several vaccines were produced, but there was a considerable amount of societal turmoil surrounding them that has affected the way people view not only COVID-19 vaccines but all vaccines. We used a survey to compare how attitudes towards vaccination have changed in college students during the pandemic. An initial survey was administered in 2021, then a follow-up in 2022. Out of 316 respondents who answered the first survey, 192 completed the follow-up. The survey was designed to measure trends in changes to vaccine attitudes since the COVID-19 pandemic began. By comparing the first survey in 2021 and the follow-up, we found that roughly 55% of respondents' vaccine attitudes did not change, roughly 44% of respondents' attitudes towards vaccines became more positive, and only about 1% of the respondents' vaccine attitudes became more negative. Improved view of vaccines was associated with political views and increased trust in medicine and the healthcare system. Worsened opinions of vaccines were associated with a belief that the COVID-19 vaccine affected fertility.
| S-EPMC10384532 | biostudies-literature