Effects of COVID-19 contagion in cohabitants and family members on mental health and academic self-efficacy among university students in Sweden: a prospective longitudinal study

Objective: This study used causal inference to estimate the longitudinal effects of contagion in cohabitants and family members on university students' mental health and academic self-efficacy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: A prospective longitudinal study including a baseline online measurement in May 2020, and online follow-ups after 5 months and 10 months. Participants were recruited through open-access online advertising.

Setting: Public universities and university colleges in Sweden.

Participants: The analytical sample included 2796 students.

Outcome measures: Contagion in cohabitants and in family members was assessed at baseline and at the 5-month follow-up. Mental health and academic self-efficacy were assessed at the 5-month and 10-month follow-ups.

Results: Mild symptoms reported in cohabitants at baseline resulted in negative mental health effects at follow-up 5 months later, and mild baseline symptoms in family members resulted in negative effects on academic self-efficacy at follow-ups both 5 and 10 months later.

Conclusions: Notwithstanding the lack of precision in estimated effects, the findings emphasise the importance of social relationships and the challenges of providing students with sufficient support in times of crisis.