Disruptions in the management and care of university students with preexisting mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Issue 3 (22nd March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ligus, Kaleigh; Fritzson, Emily; Hennessy, Emily A; Acabchuk, Rebecca L; Bellizzi, Keith
• Is Part Of: Translational behavioral medicine. Volume 11:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 802
• Page End: 807
• Publication Date: 2021-03-22
• Subjects: Preexisting conditions -- COVID-19 -- Health care delivery -- Health status -- University students; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; 616.0019
• DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibab020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1869-6716

Abstract

Abstract: Students with preexisting mental health conditions or disabilities may fair worse due to virus mitigation strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted to understand the experiences of students with preexisting mental health conditions or disabilities at a public university during COVID-19. We examined disruptions in the management of preexisting mental health conditions or disabilities and its impact on psychological well-being. Students were surveyed about their health care experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic between June and September 2020. Linear regressions and mediation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between disruption to care, mental health self-efficacy, and four psychological well-being outcomes (stress, anxiety, depression, and overall distress). Of the total ( N = 1, 082) study participants, 258 (24%) reported having a preexisting mental health condition(s) or disabilities (81% female; M age = 23.47). Of those, 155 (61%) reported that COVID-19 disrupted health care delivery and management of their conditions or disabilities. Of those who reported this disruption, 51% ( n = 109) of participants reported a disruption in their ability to see a health care professional and 58% ( n = 69) reported either that they lost care or that the quality of the new telemedicine care was not sufficient. A series of linear regressions revealed significant relationships between disruption to care and the four psychological outcomes. Mediation analyses revealed that depression, stress, anxiety, and overall distress were mediated by self-efficacy in managing mental health. University administrators and health care providers should evaluate the scope of mental health care and telemedicine services for students to help long-term psychological effects of COVID-19.