ABSTRACT
There are widespread concerns about the mental health implications of the pandemic, particularly among university students, an already at-risk population for poor mental health. This study looked at 1,281 UK university students, recruited through the Prolific website. Participants were asked to complete the Attitudes towards COVID-19 Scale, the CORE-10, the PERMA Profiler, the GAD-7 and the Office for National Statistics wellbeing questions (ONS4). The first survey was conducted between May 14th and 16th, when the UK was in national lockdown. The second survey was carried out between June 26th and July 15th. There was only an 11% attrition rate between the two time points. Well-being improved overall between the two time points. Some findings were contradictory as overall well-being, anxiety and levels of flourishing improved, but reports of psychological distress increased. It is also important to note that levels of positivity about the pandemic increased as time went on. There was evidence that higher levels of positivity were linked to better mental health outcomes. Encouraging a positive mindset and outlook in students, probably through positive psychology-based interventions, might act as a protective factor against severe mental illness. The wider relevance and practical implications for higher education are discussed.
ABSTRACT
The effects of Covid-19 have been felt worldwide and one population that are of increasing concern are university students. University students have endured unique and drastic changes to their everyday and academic lives. It is important to understand how university students in different parts of the world have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and how it has affected their mental health? A cross-sectional study was conducted during the first wave of Covid-19, in May 2020 with 2,006 university students from the UK, Italy, Germany and Spain. Participants were recruited online and were asked to complete a series of standardised measures of psychological distress, anxiety, flourishing and wellbeing. Attitudes towards Covid-19 were measured using a new scale. The factor structure and reliability of this new scale was confirmed using this European sample. Results indicated that all university students were suffering from poor mental health, considerably below pre-pandemic norms. There were many geographical differences in the way that university students perceived the Covid19 pandemic, in terms of their fears, anxieties, loneliness and positivity. There were also significant mental health comparisons between students from the UK, Italy, Germany and Spain. Student beliefs that their government had provided effective leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic were strongly related to numerous mental health outcomes. A picture of university students' mental health is provided and discussed. Geographical comparisons are discussed, as are the implications for practice and future directions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-02854-0.
ABSTRACT
Research in resilience has evolved slowly over time. The research done on resilience over the last five decades lacks the cultural sensitivity as well as how the community impacts the process of resilience (Ungar, 2004, 2005;Boyden & Mann, 2005). The study has primarily investigated the mainstream western population's individual understanding of healthy functioning. Thus, there is a gap in knowledge regarding cross-cultural validation of the findings and rigorous qualitative inquiries into the factors;that might be associated with resilience in the context of non-western communities and marginalized groups living among their 'conventional' neighbours in western settings. This review aims to analyse the current resilience research done in India and to formulate a culturally appropriate model of resilience for the population. Out of 86 relevant publications first identified through systematic search on several data bases, 8 studies were finalized and went through inductive thematic analysis of the content relevant to research questions. Following the analysis process, detailed analytical themes and final characteristics of the resilience model were established. The results show that resilience remains an amorphous concept that is affected by both individual and social influences. However, there are some clear and well-established global elements that transcend the bounds of culture. Incorporation of social and psychological inquiry is recommended for future research.