@Article{info:doi/10.2196/22817,
author="Wang, Xiaomei
and Hegde, Sudeep
and Son, Changwon
and Keller, Bruce
and Smith, Alec
and Sasangohar, Farzan",
title="Investigating Mental Health of US College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Survey Study",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2020",
month="Sep",
day="17",
volume="22",
number="9",
pages="e22817",
keywords="mental health; online survey; COVID-19; coronavirus; college student; student; stress; depression; university",
abstract="Background: Evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has generally increased levels of stress and depression among the public. However, the impact on college students in the United States has not been well-documented. Objective: This paper surveys the mental health status and severity of depression and anxiety of college students in a large university system in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online survey was conducted among undergraduate and graduate students recruited from Texas A{\&}M University via email. The survey consisted of two standardized scales---the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the General Anxiety Disorder-7---for depression and anxiety, and additional multiple-choice and open-ended questions regarding stressors and coping mechanisms specific to COVID-19. Results: Among the 2031 participants, 48.14{\%} (n=960) showed a moderate-to-severe level of depression, 38.48{\%} (n=775) showed a moderate-to-severe level of anxiety, and 18.04{\%} (n=366) had suicidal thoughts. A majority of participants (n=1443, 71.26{\%}) indicated that their stress/anxiety levels had increased during the pandemic. Less than half of the participants (n=882, 43.25{\%}) indicated that they were able to cope adequately with the stress related to the current situation. Conclusions: The proportion of respondents showing depression, anxiety, and/or suicidal thoughts is alarming. Respondents reported academic-, health-, and lifestyle-related concerns caused by the pandemic. Given the unexpected length and severity of the outbreak, these concerns need to be further understood and addressed. ",
issn="1438-8871",
doi="10.2196/22817",
url="http://www.jmir.org/2020/9/e22817/",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/22817",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32897868"
}