Effects of School Resumption on College Students' Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The current study aimed to investigate the effects of school resumption on college students' mental health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We used the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) to assess stress, depression, and anxiety, respectively, between same-age college students returning to school and those not returning to school. Of 1,598 students who completed the baseline survey (S1), 836 students completed a follow-up survey 10 months after school resumption (S2). There were statistically significant differences in stress and mild anxiety between male and female students ( p < 0.01). Comparison of PSS-10, PHQ-9, and SAS scores by perceived impact of COVID-19 showed significant differences (Welch test, p < 0.01). The correlation between PHQ-9 and SAS scores in school resumption and non–school resumption groups was relatively strong (adjusted R2 = 0.49 vs. 0.5). Multivariate linear regression showed that only PSS-10 ( p < 0.01) and SAS ( p < 0.05) scores significantly differed between returning and non-returning students. School resumption was an independent risk factor for PSS-10 and SAS scores. PSS-10, PHQ-9, and SAS scores were significantly higher in S1 than in S2 ( p < 0.01). During the COVID-19 pandemic, stress, anxiety, and depression were prevalent among college students; however, stress and anxiety were generally lower among college students returning to school than among non-returning students. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60 (5), 19–27.]