Pandemic-related stress experiences, resources and depressive moods of students at the end of the online winter semester 2020/21

ABSTRACT

Background: Students worldwide belong to a vulnerable group with an above-average tendency towards depressive disorders. Empirical studies also show that depressive moods among students have increased significantly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Objectives: The aim of the article is to examine whether the stress experiences caused by the pandemic are related to the depressed mood of the students. In addition, it is analyzed whether resilience, coping and social support as resources are associated with the depressive moods of students. The aim is to clarify which resources can explain the connection between the stress experiences caused by the pandemic and the depressive mood of students as mediators. Methods: The study is based on an online survey of students at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences for the 2020/21 winter semester. The data of 621 students were evaluated. A mediation analysis was carried out. Results: Pandemic-related stress experiences are significantly related to the depressive moods of students. Resilience is also a significant factor influencing depressive moods and partially mediates the influence of pandemic-related stressful experiences on the depressed mood of the students. Coping and social support show no significant association with the depressed mood of the students. Conclusion: Starting points for reducing the depressive mood lie in reducing the stress caused by the pandemic and in strengthening the resilience of the students. © 2022, The Author(s).