The Mental Health Journey of being a University Student during COVID-19: A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study of Undergraduate and Graduate Students

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this longitudinal study is to gain an understanding of the mental health journey of university students over the course of the 2020-2021 academic year. Qualitative interviews were conducted during the early part of the fall semester with 120 students (undergraduate, graduate and professional) and postdoctoral fellows. Quantitative self-assessments of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder; GAD-7); and wellbeing (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale; WEMWBS) were conducted monthly throughout the fall (2020) and spring (2021) semester. Follow-up qualitative interviews are planned for the end of the spring (2021) semester. This poster presentation will share findings from the initial interviews and monthly depression, anxiety, and wellbeing assessments.