2024 Volume 27 Issue 1 Pages 50-57
[Purpose]
This study analyzed changes in psychological adaptation (including self-esteem, life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety) in first-year university students enrolled in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, using data from three surveys conducted every six months. Additionally, we examined changes in the ratio of students at high risk for suicidal ideation and thought disturbance, which are crucial screening factors.
[Methods]
A longitudinal survey was conducted three times with students enrolled at a single university in 2020. Time 1 was from late March to early April 2020, Time 2 was late September 2020, and Time 3 was April 2021. Data were collected from 351 first-year students. The survey consisted of demographic and psychological adaptation data, encompassing depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. The depression scale comprised two items assessing risk for psychological conditions.
[Results]
The two-way ANOVA revealed significant main effects of measurement time on depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. Depression and anxiety scores were lower at Time 1 and Time 3 than at Time 2, whereas self-esteem scores were lower at Time 2 and Time 3 than at Time 1. Critical item analysis revealed that Time 2 had the highest percentage of students at high risk for thought disturbance.
[Discussion/Conclusion]
Students’ depression and anxiety exhibited an initial increase from admission to six months later, followed by a decrease to Time 1 level six months later. In contrast, self-esteem declined slightly during the COVID-19 pandemic and did not fully recover to its original level. These results indicate distinct trends for negative and positive indicators of psychological adaptation.
