Coping strategies utlized by young adults during covid-19

Mental health during this time

The COVID-19 pandemic was rough in terms of mental health. Existing support systems and habits were forced to adjust as everything turned virtual. Mental health services and institutions were slow to transition to the online format. Students were forced to pay for semester fees and resources they didn’t even have access to. Reaching out for help is already difficult as it is, and this drastic change in pace only made it harder.

​The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the mental wellbeing of young adults and in Fall 2020 my epidemiology course sought to explore the mental health of SJSU’s young adult community during this difficult time. We conducted a cross-sectional survey (n=298) ages 18-25 to assess demographics, mental health outcomes, as well as coping strategies. (My other teammates explored vaccine hesitancy so make sure to check out the rest of the blog!)

THE DISTRIBUTION

As a college student, I expected substance abuse to be much higher in prevalence. Fortunately, the most commonly reported coping strategies were watching shows, listening to music, or playing video games (81%), sleeping (71%), taking breaks (64%), connecting with friends (62%), and connecting with family (58%). ​

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THE ANALYSIS

As an member of Active Minds, a social club on campus that tackles mental health stigma, my platform has always been pushing for community involvement to promote mental wellbeing. As a result, my analysis took an emphasis on social connections during this time:

Connecting with family was associated with a lower risk of depression, suicidal ideation, and feeling lonely nearly everyday 

• Prevalence ratios respectively 0.68 (95% CI 0.49, 0.94), 0.49 (95% CI 0.30, 0.80), 0.32 (95% CI 0.15, 0.67)

Similarly, connecting with friends was associated with a lower risk of suicidal ideation and feeling lonely nearly everyday

• (0.49 (95% CI 0.30, 0.80), 0.50 (95% CI 0.23, 0.98)

Social connections are a significant and effective coping strategy for college students. So how can San José State University encourage positive coping strategies within its community?

WHAT NOW?

Using this research, I am currently working on:

• Involving student organizations
  • These groups consist and represent core parts of the community. Using student organizations provides a platform to share mental health resources from a figure that is already well trusted. It also allows for these organizations to voice concerns specific to their respect communities and to build collaborations that benefit both parties.
• Hybrid accommodations
  • SJSU was slow in its transition to provide resources for students during the pandemic. Even now, the university is charging students full semester prices despite the lack of access to essential resources provided under their tuition. As we transition to hybrid learning, SJSU must develop a strategy that fully serves students coming back to campus, and learning virtually.
• Stigma
  • At the root of providing and receiving mental health services is the stigma that still surrounds mental health. SJSU CAPS as well the student body should actively work to encourage conversations around mental health and that you are not alone during this time.

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Kim NGUYEN

4th year Public Health major interested health communications and  challenging mental health stigma. Find me on LinkedIn!