Effects of COVID-19 on Stress and Mental Health of Community College Pre-Engineering Students
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Title
Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE
Volume
2022-October
DOI
10.1109/FIE56618.2022.9962570
Abstract
This research full paper presents screening rates for mental health issues and life-stress events in engineering-focused community college students during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Specifically, it attempts to answer the following research questions: 1) What is the overall rate of various mental health conditions among engineering-focused community college students, 2) What effects has the pandemic had on baseline stress levels engineering-focused community college, and 3) What effects has the pandemic had on quality of life, such as sleep habits and financial security of engineering-focused community college students?Data for this paper was collected via survey from May-July 2020 and includes responses from 84 students at 24 community colleges. The survey itself was a compilation of several widely-used instruments for measuring overall mental health and stress levels in a population. These instruments include the Kessler-6 for psychological distress, the PHQ for anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, the PC-PTSD for PTSD-like symptoms, and the SRRS for inventorying stressful life events.Among the major findings, 32% of respondents reported a major change in financial situation, 27% reported loss of employment, and 13% reported ceasing formal schooling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, 32% of respondents reported that the COVID-19 pandemic worsened their housing security situation, 38% reported that COVID-19 has worsened their food security situation, and 36% report that COVID-19 has decreased their ability to access instruction, course materials, or course supplies. Finally, of respondents who completed at least one mental health screening instrument, 70% screened positive for at least one potentially diagnosable condition, while only 9% reported ever receiving a mental health diagnosis.
Funding Number
1929478
Funding Sponsor
National Science Foundation
Keywords
Accessibility, Community College, Disability, Equity, Inclusion, Mental Health, Wellness
Department
General Engineering
Recommended Citation
Andrew Danowitz and Kacey Beddoes. "Effects of COVID-19 on Stress and Mental Health of Community College Pre-Engineering Students" Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE (2022). https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE56618.2022.9962570
