In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 12 ( 2022-12-19), p. e0279340-
Abstract:
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between social factors and COVID-19 protective behaviors and two outcomes: depressive and perceived stress symptoms. Methods In September 2020, 1,064 randomly selected undergraduate students from a large midwestern university completed an online survey and provided information on demographics, social activities, COVID-19 protective behaviors (i.e., avoiding social events and staying home from work and school), and mental health symptoms. Mental health symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression-10 questionnaire for depression and the Perceived Stress Scale-10 for stress symptoms. Results The results showed respondents who were males and also the respondents who were “hanging out” with more people while drinking alcohol reported significantly lower depressive symptoms and lower stress symptoms. On the contrary, staying home from work or school “very often” was associated with higher stress symptoms, compared with “never/rarely” staying home from work/school. Similarly, having a job with in-person interaction was also associated with increased stress. Conclusions These findings suggest that lack of social engagement was associated with depression and stress symptoms among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Planning social activities that align with recommended safety precautions, as well as meet students’ social needs, should be an important priority for higher education institutions.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0279340
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0279340.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0279340.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0279340.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0279340.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0279340.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0279340.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0279340.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0279340.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0279340.r004
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3