Investigating Mental Health of US College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

J Med Internet Res. 2020 Sep 17;22(9):e22817. doi: 10.2196/22817.

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has generally increased levels of stress and depression among the public. However, the impact on college students in the United States has not been well-documented.

Objective: This paper surveys the mental health status and severity of depression and anxiety of college students in a large university system in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: An online survey was conducted among undergraduate and graduate students recruited from Texas A&M University via email. The survey consisted of two standardized scales-the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the General Anxiety Disorder-7-for depression and anxiety, and additional multiple-choice and open-ended questions regarding stressors and coping mechanisms specific to COVID-19.

Results: Among the 2031 participants, 48.14% (n=960) showed a moderate-to-severe level of depression, 38.48% (n=775) showed a moderate-to-severe level of anxiety, and 18.04% (n=366) had suicidal thoughts. A majority of participants (n=1443, 71.26%) indicated that their stress/anxiety levels had increased during the pandemic. Less than half of the participants (n=882, 43.25%) indicated that they were able to cope adequately with the stress related to the current situation.

Conclusions: The proportion of respondents showing depression, anxiety, and/or suicidal thoughts is alarming. Respondents reported academic-, health-, and lifestyle-related concerns caused by the pandemic. Given the unexpected length and severity of the outbreak, these concerns need to be further understood and addressed.

Keywords: COVID-19; college student; coronavirus; depression; mental health; online survey; stress; student; university.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Health Surveys*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pandemics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Students / psychology*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Universities*
  • Young Adult