University students' mental health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia

Profiles and predictors of mental health of university students in Hong Kong under the COVID-19 pandemic

This study investigated the mental health problems of university students in Hong Kong and related sociodemographic and psychosocial predictors under the pandemic. A total of 978 undergraduate students (mean age = 20.69 ± 1.61) completed an online questionnaire measuring sociodemographic factors, psychological morbidity, positive well-being, COVID-19 related stress and self-efficacy, and positive psychosocial attributes. Psychosocial risk factors included psychological morbidity, COVID-19 related stress, and difficulties encountered under the pandemic, whereas protective factors comprised pandemic related self-efficacy, positive psychological attributes, positive environmental factors, need satisfaction and positive perception toward service. Results showed that psychological morbidity in the participants was widespread, and it was related to sociodemographic factors, particularly family financial difficulties. While pandemic related stress positively predicted psychological morbidity and negatively predicted well-being indicators, COVID-19 self-efficacy showed an opposite effect. Besides, positive psychological attributes (resilience, emotional competence, and positive beliefs related to adversity) and environmental factors (healthy family functioning, peer support, and supportive community atmosphere) negatively predicted psychological morbidity and positively predicted well-being. Furthermore, need satisfaction and positive perception toward service were negatively associated with psychological morbidity and positively associated with well-being, while perceived difficulties showed an opposite effect.

College and COVID-19: The Pandemic's reverberations on adolescents and emerging adults on campus

The COVID-19 pandemic deeply disrupted all aspects of life for young people in college. Beginning early in the pandemic, research has documented how young people experienced these challenges and the impacts on their psychosocial wellbeing and development. This review highlights patterns in identified challenges, mental health, and associated risk and protective factors. Overall, the pandemic led to rises in negative affect and emotional struggles, though the review of the literature also raises critical areas for supporting these young people. Additionally, the review suggests providing resources that focus on valuable elements of young people's experiences on college campuses; namely social support and connection, belonging, and effective psychosocial coping strategies.

Scrolling Through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Perceived Effects of Increased Social Media Use on the Mental Health of Undergraduate University Students

Social media has become increasingly integrated into the lives of students for the past decade; however, the public health restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a sharp increase in social media use in a short period of time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of social media use on university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifteen students from a mid-sized Canadian city were interviewed to share their experiences with social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purposive sampling was conducted to gather a diverse sample of participants, including individuals of various ages, gender and sexual identities, and ethnicities. Thematic analysis on the 15 interviews was completed using NVivo (version 12). Participants experienced both advantages and disadvantages associated with social media use. Ease of communication and stress relief were acknowledged as the strongest benefits. Social comparison, loneliness, development of bad habits, and lack of focus were cited as major disadvantages to social media use during the pandemic. Cost-benefit analysis of social media was common, and participants expressed the importance of using social media with moderation, balance, and awareness. Our study indicates that the focus on health with respect to the pandemic should not be solely based on physical health, rather the potential mental health risks associated with social media use during the pandemic should be recognized and addressed by healthcare providers.

Age-Based Differences in Sleep Quality, Pre-Sleep Arousal, and Psychosocial Factors during the Second Wave Lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Georgia-A Higher Vulnerability of Younger People

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply disrupted sleep and mental health of people around the world. We aimed to investigate age-based differences in the prevalence of and relationship between sleep quality, pre-sleep arousal, and psychosocial factors during the second wave lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia. Data were collected through an online survey (n = 1117). Participants were categorized into four age groups: 18-29, 30-41, 42-53, and 54-70 years. The youngest participants reported the most prevalent disruption of sleep behavior. Overall, 58.3% of respondents were poor sleepers. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score was highest in the youngest age group but the difference was not significant. There was a significant difference in the PSQI component scores for subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, and daytime dysfunction, all being worse in young respondents. We also observed a significantly higher prevalence rate of worse sleep quality in the youngest age group, relative to the pre-pandemic period. On the other hand, the oldest respondents showed significantly greater use of sleeping medications. Significantly higher levels of somatic and cognitive pre-sleep arousal, perceived stress, feeling depressed, anxious, and socially isolated were reported by the youngest age group. Study findings indicate a higher vulnerability of younger people to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Assessment of pre-sleep arousal and implementation of specific, age-based interventions may prove beneficial to improve possible consequences of the pandemic on sleep and mental health.