Addressing Differential Impacts of Covid-19 in NYS: Exploring differential impacts of COVID-19 related fear and psychological health consequences on college students

Abstract

The global spread of COVID-19 induced fear and stress, increasing the risk and severity of mental health problems. In particular, college students have been impacted academically, physically, financially, and psychologically. Further, college students from racial and ethnic minority groups have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, experiencing higher rates of infection, hospitalization, mortality, and discriminatory events, as well as inequities related to healthcare insurance and access, and having pre-existing health disparities. Taken together, the uncertainty of COVID-19 may induce marked fear across domains, thus increasing the risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms among students. The current study drew data from 249 undergraduate students to examine whether fear of COVID-19 predicted anxiety and depression, and whether associations varied as a function of race or coping strategies.

Results indicated that White students endorsed significantly less COVID-related fear compared to Black and Asian students. Further, associations between fear of COVID-19 and anxiety differed significantly across racial/ethnic groups, such that COVID-related fear was only tied to more anxiety among Hispanic students. Moreover, greater fear of COVID-19 was associated with greater anxiety and depression among students who endorsed higher levels of maladaptive coping strategies and lower levels of adaptive coping strategies.

The current study provides insight into the role of race and ethnicity on COVID-related fears and its influence on mental health symptoms, as well as the role of coping strategies in modifying their associations. Findings suggest that mechanisms through which COVID-19 may influence college students’ mental health may vary depending on race/ethnicity and individual risk and resiliency factors. These findings may help to inform the development of strategies targeted toward vulnerable communities to provide better support. Strategies to address mental health disparities exacerbated by COVID-19 among students are discussed.