Faculty Collaboration Database

Health sciences students' career commitment, mental health, and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Am Coll Health 2024 Nov;72(8):2693-2700

Date

10/20/2022

Pubmed ID

36260773

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2022.2128679

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85141201009 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   2 Citations

Abstract

Objective: To understand the biopsychosocial dimensions of university health sciences students' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: Health sciences students (n = 297) from two universities in July and August 2020. Methods: Participants completed a Web-based survey asking about depression, anxiety, physical activity, coronavirus threat, and career commitment. Results: Moderate or severe depression and anxiety were reported by 28.6% and 31.3% of respondents, respectively. Depression and anxiety were positively correlated with perceived coronavirus threat and negatively correlated with career commitment and strenuous physical activity. A change in career commitment interests during the COVID-19 pandemic was reported by 11% of respondents. Conclusions: Identified factors that could be targeted by universities to support their students and secure career commitment include online learning challenges, ability to secure clinical placements, mental health (anxiety and depression), financial challenges, family pressure, and promotion of physical activity.

Author List

Wrucke DJ, Hoeger Bement MK, Harkins AL, Hunter SK, Stolzman S, Kaugars AS

Authors

Marie Hoeger Bement MPT,PhD Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette University
Astrida Kaugars PhD Associate Professor of Psychology in the Psychology department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Anxiety
Career Choice
Depression
Exercise
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Health
Pandemics
Students
Students, Health Occupations
Surveys and Questionnaires
Universities
Young Adult