Nearly half of college students at high risk for psychological impact<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 27, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Certain risk factors are associated with college students self-reporting a psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in PLOS ONE<\/em>.<\/p>\n Matthew H.E.M. Browning, Ph.D., from Clemson University in South Carolina, and colleagues surveyed 2,534 students from seven public U.S. universities (61 percent women; 79 percent non-Hispanic White) when most coronavirus-related sheltering-in-place orders were in effect (mid-March to early May 2020) to understand the psychological impact of the pandemic.<\/p>\n The researchers found 45 percent of students experienced a high risk for psychological impact. Respondents who were women, were non-Hispanic Asian, were in fair\/poor health, were of below-average relative family income, or knew someone infected with COVID-19 experienced higher levels of psychological impact. A lower likelihood of psychological impact was seen among students who were non-Hispanic White, were above-average social class, spent at least two hours outside, or spent less than eight hours on electronic screens.<\/p>\n “Inadequate efforts to recognize and address college students’ mental health challenges, especially during a pandemic, could have long-term consequences on their health and education,” the authors write.<\/p>\n