Assessment of psychological distress as a function of positive psychological variables during the COVID-19 pandemic: A university longitudinal study

College of Public Health, Department of Psychological Sciences
  1. Open Access Kent State
  2. Kent State University COVID-19 research and funded grants
  3. Assessment of psychological distress as a function of positive psychological variables during the COVID-19 pandemic: A university longitudinal study
Author(s)
Abstract

Abstract

Objective: To examine changes in psychological distress of college students as a function of demographic and psychological variables over time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants: Subjects were recruited from a large public university in Northeast Ohio using electronic surveys administered at three time points in 2020.

Methods: Demographics, positive psychological metrics (flourishing, perceived social support, and resilience) and psychological distress were collected and a mixed linear model was run to estimate their effect on change in distress.

Results: Psychological distress did not change significantly across time. Females experienced more psychological distress than males. Higher levels of flourishing, perceived social support, and resilience were associated with less distress overall. Conclusions: Although psychological distress did not change across observed time, previous data suggests heightened psychological distress that remained elevated across observed time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Positive psychological variables were shown to mitigate psychological distress, and the relationship was stable over time.
Format
Article
Identifier(s)
10.1080/07448481.2022.2032086
Publication Date
2022-01
Publication Title
Journal of American College Health
First Page
1
Last Page
7
Extent
7
Keywords
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Community
College of Public Health
Department of Psychological Sciences
Permalink https://oaks.kent.edu/covid19ksu/assessment-psychological-distress-function-positive-psychological-variables-during-covid
Laurene, K., Kodukula, G., Lechner, W., Grega, C., Lumpkin, E., & Kenne, D. (2022). Assessment of psychological distress as a function of positive psychological variables during the COVID-19 pandemic: A university longitudinal study (1–). Journal of American College Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2032086
Laurene, Kimberly, Geethika Kodukula, William Lechner, Chelsea Grega, Evelyn Lumpkin, and Deric Kenne. 2022. “Assessment of Psychological Distress As a Function of Positive Psychological Variables During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A University Longitudinal Study”. Journal of American College Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2032086.
Laurene, Kimberly, et al. Assessment of Psychological Distress As a Function of Positive Psychological Variables During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A University Longitudinal Study. Journal of American College Health, Jan. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2032086.