Emotion regulation and mental health in college students during coronavirus pandemic lockdowns

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic triggered a global mental health crisis, with college students particularly vulnerable population due to disruptions in academic, social, and developmental trajectories. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the relationships among emotion regulation (ER) strategies, lifestyle factors, and mental health outcomes during the pandemic. Findings from over 40 studies, indicate high rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among students during lockdowns. Maladaptive ER strategies, such as compensatory spending (β = 0.13-0.19) and binge eating (β = 0.14-0.19), were consistently were consistently associated with increased psychological distress, reflecting short-term coping attempts that exacerbate long-term outcomes. In contrast, adaptive strategies, including engagement in recreational activities, regular physical exercise, and social support, were linked to reduced distress. These relationships were moderated by demographic factors (e.g. , gender, socioeconomic status) and contextual variables (e.g. , academic stress, sleep quality). Some studies also reported increased vulnerability among male students, potentially due to disruptions in gender-related coping patterns. Overall, ER emerges as a modifiable determinant of resilience. Interventions should emphasize adaptive ER strategies, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and the mitigation of academic and financial stressors. Future research should adapt longitudinal and mixed-methods approaches to clarify causal pathways and long-term psychological effects.