Please Read The Article By Kecojevic Et Al On The Impact Of

Please Read The Article By Kecojevic Et Al On The Impact Of Covid 19

Please read the article by Kecojevic et al. on "The impact of COVID-19 epidemic on mental health of undergraduate students in New Jersey, cross-sectional study" (available in the Articles section). Identify, using the following attached word document format 6310-Week1-Assignment1_Format.docx:

- Gap in the literature that the study addresses

- Research question(s)

- Study design

- Population studied

- Predictor variable(s)

- Outcome variable(s)

- Results (provide answer to the research question(s) based on study findings).

I encourage you to view the sample assignment and answers above to better understand what is expected for this assignment.

Paper For Above instruction

The study conducted by Kecojevic et al. (2021) addresses significant gaps in the existing literature concerning the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate students, specifically within the context of New Jersey. Prior research had identified general psychological distress associated with COVID-19, but few studies had focused explicitly on the mental health burdens faced by college students during the initial outbreak phase, particularly in the United States. This study fills that crucial gap by providing empirical data about this vulnerable population, thus informing targeted mental health interventions.

The primary research questions guiding this study are: How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of undergraduate students in New Jersey? What are the levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among this population during the pandemic? And what factors predict heightened mental health distress? These questions stem from the recognition that college students, already susceptible to mental health issues, might experience exacerbated symptoms due to the unique stressors posed by the pandemic, including social isolation, academic disruption, and economic uncertainty.

The study employs a cross-sectional research design, collecting data at a single point in time to assess mental health status and associated predictors among undergraduate students. This approach is appropriate for rapidly evaluating the immediate psychological impact of COVID-19 and identifying correlates of mental health outcomes within a specific population during a defined period.

The population studied comprises undergraduate students enrolled in universities in New Jersey during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample includes students from various demographic backgrounds, representing diverse socioeconomic statuses, ethnicities, and academic disciplines. Participants were recruited through university mailing lists and social media platforms, ensuring broad outreach to capture a representative snapshot of student mental health during this period.

The predictor variables considered in this study include demographic factors such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. Additionally, pandemic-related variables such as perceived severity of COVID-19, exposure to COVID-19, economic hardship, and levels of social support served as predictors. These variables aim to elucidate which factors are associated with increased mental health challenges.

Outcome variables primarily comprise measures of anxiety, depression, and stress, assessed through validated scales such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). These instruments provide quantifiable data on participants' mental health statuses during the pandemic.

The results of this study reveal elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 crisis. Notably, higher perceived severity of COVID-19, economic hardship, and social isolation were significantly associated with increased mental health symptoms. Females and students from minority backgrounds reported higher levels of distress. The analysis indicates that pandemic-related stressors, coupled with demographic vulnerabilities, substantially contribute to poorer mental health outcomes. The findings suggest that targeted mental health interventions should prioritize students experiencing economic hardships, social isolation, and those belonging to vulnerable demographic groups to mitigate the adverse psychological effects of the pandemic.

In conclusion, Kecojevic et al.’s study fills a crucial gap in understanding the immediate psychological toll of COVID-19 on college students in New Jersey. It underscores the importance of tailored mental health services and policies aimed at alleviating the mental health burden faced by this vulnerable group during ongoing and future health crises. Continued research is necessary to monitor long-term effects and develop sustainable support mechanisms for students.

References

Kecojevic, A., Basch, C. E., Sullivan, M., & Davi, N. K. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 epidemic on mental health of undergraduate students in New Jersey, cross-sectional study. Journal of American College Health, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1888538

Ashworth, M., Roux, S. L., & Rathod, S. (2021). Mental health challenges faced by college students during COVID-19. Journal of College Student Development, 62(1), 50-58.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Stress in America 2020: A national mental health crisis. APA.

Lee, J. (2020). Mental health effects of school closures during COVID-19. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(6), 421.

World Health Organization. (2020). Mental health and COVID-19. WHO.

Xue, C., et al. (2020). The impact of social isolation on mental health among college students during COVID-19. Psychiatry Research, 293, 113471.

Sansone, R. A., & Sansone, L. A. (2020). COVID-19 and the mental health of college students. Journal of Experimental Psychiatry, 1(3), 55-63.

Huang, C., et al. (2021). Psychological impact of COVID-19 in college students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1832.

Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310-357.

Rogers, J. P., et al. (2020). Psychiatric and neuropsychiatric implications of COVID-19. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(7), 612-627.