Mental Health Among Third-Level Students in Ireland during COVID-19

Mothersill, David, Nguyen, Hau, Loughnane, Gerard M. and Hargreaves, April (2024) Mental Health Among Third-Level Students in Ireland during COVID-19. Irish Journal of Education, 48 (3). pp. 1-19.

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Abstract

This study aimed to examine levels of mental ill-health and predictive factors of mental ill-health in third-level students in Ireland during COVID-19. A total of 268 students completed an online questionnaire. LGBTI status, relationship status, caring for children, living location, international student status, having a preexisting mental health condition, and change in social life were entered into logistic regression analyses to examine whether these variables predicted probable diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), depression, or anxiety. Probable diagnosis is an estimate that the individual would receive a diagnosis of the condition after a more comprehensive assessment, based on their responses to survey questions about specific symptoms. Students who reported a negative change in their social life were over twice as likely to attain a probable diagnosis of PTSD or depression (with the former not statistically significant and the latter statistically significant). Given prior evidence that social isolation predicts negative mental health outcomes, and the association between negative change in social life and probable negative mental health outcomes observed in our study, future research should examine ways of increasing opportunities for social engagement among students attending online and blended third-level courses in Ireland.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	mental health; third-level students; online and in-person tuition; COVID-19
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education R Medicine > Diseases > Outbreaks of disease > Epidemics > COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA790 Mental Health
Divisions:	School of Business > Staff Research and Publications
Depositing User:	Tamara Malone
Date Deposited:	20 Mar 2024 13:06
Last Modified:	05 Sep 2024 10:51
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/6971

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