Abstract
This study examined the effects of COVID-19 on anxiety levels in college students in the United States. These results can lead to implementing interventions to increase college students’ performance skills, social participation, and mental health.
Primary Author and Speaker: Megan A. Van Houten
Additional Authors and Speakers: Jenna Falkenberg, Makenzie Wilkinson, Elizabeth Dennany
Contributing Authors: Barbra Katerberg
The onset of COVID-19 disrupted society and had a large impact specifically on college students mental health. The negative impacts associated with the pandemic are thought to have influenced anxiety levels in college students. The purpose of this mixed-methods, exploratory study was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on anxiety levels in U.S. college students. Data was collected at two points, prior to the pandemic shutdown in February 2020 from a sample of 150 university students and February/March 2023 from 154 students from the same Midwest university. Both times, participants completed the Adult Manifest Anxiety Scale (AMAS-C), a standardized measure to determine anxiety levels. In addition, a second survey created by occupational therapy students called the Survey of College Students Occupations was completed which asked demographic information and with the second data collection, additional questions were asked on perceptions of anxiety pre and post COVID-19. Qualitative and quantitative data were compared to interpret the final results. Qualitative data was coded and themed, and quantitative data was analyzed via Excel spreadsheet and SPSS software. The results revealed no increase in total anxiety in college students from pre to post COVID-19 (p=.044). It was found the AMAS-C construct of Worry decreased statistically significantly (p=.029) by 2023. It was also found that females experience statistically significantly higher levels of anxiety than males, both pre and post COVID-19 (p=.03). Themes identified by participants with perceived increase in anxiety post COVID-19 include mental health worsening (43%), social life issues (26%), school/work concerns (30%) and family at (1%). This study indicated that increased anxiety levels during the pandemic are returning to baseline with females being more vulnerable than males. Some students report residual issues causing anxiety and these concerns could be addressed by therapists and educators.
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