The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences have caused fear, anxiety and panic world wide. This study aimed to investigate how university students’ academic stress levels and hopelessness are...Show moreThe COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences have caused fear, anxiety and panic world wide. This study aimed to investigate how university students’ academic stress levels and hopelessness are related during the pandemic. The sample of the study consisted of 139 Dutch and International University students at a Dutch University, with a mean age of 21.15 years old. Their COVID-19 fear, study-related stress and hopelessness levels were measured with the use of 3 scales: The Fear of COVID-19 Scale, The Law Student Perceived Stress Scale and The Leiden Index of Depression Sensitivity (Hopelessness subscale). Hopelessness was positively related to study-related stress (β= .32, t=3.89, p < .001), and COVID-19 related fears was positively related to study-related stress (β= .42, t=5.48, p < .001). No significant association was found between COVID-19 related fears and hopelessness (β= .10, t=1.13, p=.261). The pandemic and its consequences have taken a toll on students, and their levels of academic stress, however their reported COVID-19 fears are lower than previous research has shown. This difference could be accounted for by variables such as date of research, age of respondents and cultural aspects.Show less
Previous research indicates that social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic can lead to increased loneliness among university students. These feelings of loneliness can give rise to suicide...Show morePrevious research indicates that social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic can lead to increased loneliness among university students. These feelings of loneliness can give rise to suicide ideation. Furthermore, research also demonstrates that high social support might weaken this association. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate if increased loneliness predicts suicide ideation among university students and if family and peer support weaken this association. 137 University students over the age of 18 partook in an online survey. To examine whether increased loneliness predicts the presence of suicide ideation, a logistic regression analysis was used. The moderating role of social support was assessed with a moderation analysis. Results indicated that increased loneliness successfully predicts the presence of suicide ideation among university students, which is in line with previous research. However, contrary to existing literature, the moderation analysis yielded nonsignificant results. This means that social support does not weaken the association between loneliness and suicide ideation. This inconsistency might be influenced by the assessment method and the moderation model used. Future research should examine the moderating role of social support in the association between loneliness and suicide ideation and the potential long-term effects the Covid-19 pandemic might have on university students’ mental health.Show less
Alcohol use among university students is a major public health concern. Especially those with preexisting mental health problems show signs of problem drinking. In times of COVID-19, the switch to...Show moreAlcohol use among university students is a major public health concern. Especially those with preexisting mental health problems show signs of problem drinking. In times of COVID-19, the switch to online learning, social distancing measures, and fears related to the coronavirus put a strain on students’ mental health. This study investigated whether higher COVID-19-related fears are associated with higher alcohol use in students and if study-related stress mediates this relationship. Additionally, it was predicted that students drank more because of internal motives rather than external motives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to identify points for intervention in order to prevent problem drinking in the student population. 139 responses of students from Leiden University to an online survey were analyzed. The questionnaires administered included the Alcohol Use Disorders Inventory Test 3 (AUDIT), Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), and Law Student Perceived Stress Scale (LSPSS). Simple linear regression analyses and a pairedsamples t-test were used to analyze the data. The results showed that neither COVID-19-related fears nor study-related stress were significant predictors of alcohol use. However, COVID-19- related fears significantly predicted study-related stress. Lastly, students were more motivated by internal than external motives to drink. Interventions should target COVID-19-related fears and study-related stress to decrease the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the academic achievement of students. Additionally, internal motives for drinking need to be targeted to decrease and/or prevent problem drinking in this population.Show less
Study-stress is a common issue in the student population. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, old and new stressors have been investigated, including insomnia, loneliness, hopelessness and fear of covid...Show moreStudy-stress is a common issue in the student population. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, old and new stressors have been investigated, including insomnia, loneliness, hopelessness and fear of covid-19. Therefore, this study examined the correlates of study-stress in students during the pandemic. The sample consisted of 139 participants of the University of Leiden, from the age of 18 years or older who speak fluently Dutch or English. An online survey was distributed, assessing general information such as living situation as well as mental health. For this, five scales were used, including the Study-related perceived stress: Law Student Perceived Stress Scale, the Insomnia Severity Index, the De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale, the Hopelessness: Subscale from the Leiden Index Depression Sensitivity and the COVID – related fear and problem scale. Regression analysis showed that insomnia, loneliness and fear of covid-19 were significantly correlated with study stress. Secondly, an exploratory model was built by a forward selection regression, finding that loneliness was the most significant predictor of study stress, followed by fear of covid-19 and insomnia. When controlling for living alone during the pandemic and being a first-year, living alone was a significant predictor in our study. Regardless, insomnia, loneliness and fear of covid-19 remained significant. In order to improve the situation for students and the adverse effects of insomnia, loneliness, fear of covid-19 and living alone on study-stress, we recommend further research on the variables included especially on their direct (behavioural) consequence.Show less
Research findings indicate a link between high and chronic levels of psychological stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Internal psychological resources appear to protect against the...Show moreResearch findings indicate a link between high and chronic levels of psychological stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Internal psychological resources appear to protect against the effect of stressful events on depressive and anxiety psychopathologies. Parental overprotection and care appear to contribute to the formation of such psychological resources (e.g. core schemas, resilience and coping responses, and emotional competence). The study aimed to further investigate the relationships between (1) care or overprotection, (2) depressive or anxiety symptoms, and (3) perceived study-related stress in university students. We hypothesized that perceived study-related stress mediates the relationship between care or overprotection and anxiety or depressive symptoms. Data was collected via an online self-report questionnaire with 138 Leiden University students. Measurements of assessment included Parental Bonding Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Law Student Perceived Stress Scale. Analyses included separate simple linear regressions and simple mediation analyses. Overprotection was positively associated with anxiety symptoms. Care was negatively associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms. Perceived study-related stress mediated the relationships between care and depressive or anxiety symptoms. No association was found between overprotection and perceived study-related stress. Further research with a longitudinal design and larger, more representative samples is needed to replicate these findings and verify their causal order. The effect of overprotection on stress and symptom levels may be investigated in combination with care. Clinical work may address cognitive variables derived from parental bonding experiences that contribute to higher levels of academic stress and depressive or anxiety symptomatology among university students.Show less
Once transitioning to University, students have elevated levels of both alcohol consumption and loneliness compared to the rest of the population. Additionally, after the outbreak of Covid-19 in...Show moreOnce transitioning to University, students have elevated levels of both alcohol consumption and loneliness compared to the rest of the population. Additionally, after the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, the total population experienced higher loneliness and some were more likely to cope with alcohol. This study examined the associations between Covid-19-related fear, loneliness, alcohol use, and the protective role of virtual communication on loneliness during the Covid-19 pandemic. 141 students from Leiden University in the Netherlands reported their levels of Covid-19-related fear, loneliness, quantity and motives of alcohol consumption, and extent of virtual communication through self-report. Fear of the virus was not associated with loneliness or problematic alcohol consumption, but higher loneliness was associated with reduced drinking. Students that kept more contact with loved ones via digital media experienced lower loneliness. Generally, significant differences emerged between Dutch and international students, the latter of which scored worse on most outcomes. In conclusion, this study’s results suggest that students’ alcohol consumption is high yet differs from adult drinking behaviour in that it has an underlying social, not coping, motive. Moreover, international students seem to be particularly vulnerable suggesting the need for an improved care system. Altogether, the results identified important outlets for future research exploring social components underlying students’ alcohol consumption and the gap between international and native students. Further research may address the protective effect of virtual communication to potentially reduce loneliness in students as well as in the general population during exceptional circumstances like a pandemic.Show less
