College Students' Sense of Belonging and Mental Health Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Overview

Journal J Adolesc Health

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2021 Dec 11

PMID 34893423

Citations 21

Authors

Maithreyi Gopalan

Ashley Linden-Carmichael

Stephanie Lanza

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Social isolation, anxiety, and depression have significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic among college students. We examine a key protective factor-students' sense of belonging with their college-to understand (1) how belongingness varies overall and for key sociodemographic groups (first-generation, underrepresented racial/ethnic minority students, first-year students) amidst COVID-19 and (2) if feelings of belonging buffer students from adverse mental health in college.

Methods: Longitudinal models and regression analysis was assessed using data from a longitudinal study of college students (N = 1,004) spanning (T1; Fall 2019) and amidst COVID-19 (T2; Spring 2020).

Results: Despite reporting high levels of belonging pre- and post-COVID, consistent with past research, underrepresented racial/ethnic minority/first-generation students reported relatively lower sense of belonging compared to peers. Feelings of belonging buffered depressive symptoms and to a lesser extent anxiety amidst COVID among all students.

Conclusions: College students' sense of belonging continues to be an important predictor of mental health even amidst the pandemic, conveying the importance of an inclusive climate.

Citing Articles

Impact of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of university students and recommendations for the post-pandemic period: A systematic review.

Martins T, Lorenzetti Branco J, Martins T, Santos G, Andrade A Brain Behav Immun Health. 2025; 43():100941.

PMID: 39845808 PMC: 11751499. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100941.

Exploring the relationship between trauma, mental health, and occupational performance in health science center students.

Ahmad F, Sajit D Front Public Health. 2025; 12:1398238.

PMID: 39764193 PMC: 11701271. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1398238.

College students' sense of belonging and alcohol use amidst COVID-19: Evidence from a 21-day daily diary study.

Gopalan M, Jung J, Shou-Chun C, Linden-Carmichael A, Lanza S PLoS One. 2024; 19(12):e0310496.

PMID: 39625903 PMC: 11614200. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310496.

Belongingness in medical students: did it change during lockdown?.

Daniels R, Buramba E, Denis K Med Educ Online. 2024; 29(1):2403807.

PMID: 39270108 PMC: 11404386. DOI: 10.1080/10872981.2024.2403807.

A mixed methods study of suicide protective factors in college students.

Cecchin H, da Costa H, Pacheco G, de Valencia G, Murta S Psicol Reflex Crit. 2024; 37(1):35.

PMID: 39269564 PMC: 11399479. DOI: 10.1186/s41155-024-00315-0.

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