Exploring Universities\u27 Policies to COVID-19 - Student Perceptions & Student Mental Health

This research paper explores the mental well-being of college students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As more research studies become available regarding the long-term effects of the novel virus, it is important to consider how student populations are impacted by both the direct and indirect factors of an ongoing health crisis. The universities to which students pertain is of extreme importance because they can either serves as healthy resources or as additional sources of pressure for its students. The students’ perceptions of their universities’ policies outline the extent to which the university functions in a manner that promotes the well-being of its community. Research demonstrates that college students are a vulnerable population for mental health issues because of the developmental and transitional nature of emerging adulthood. This study builds on the present research by exploring college students’ mental health during the culture of the COVID-19 pandemic. First, this study uses a questionnaire to gauge students’ perceptions of their universities’ responses during the pandemic. The questionnaire then presents the participants with two self-administered screening tools for depression and anxiety in order to indirectly assess their mental health. Through this data, as well as the research reviewed, this study finds that students often look to their universities for support and direction, especially during difficult times. The research findings of this project suggest that levels of anxiety and depression may be associated with student perceptions of their universities. The implications and possible future directions of these findings are further explored