Long-term effects and the mediating role of coping styles between behavioral changes and psychopathological responses among Polish university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

Objectives: Students have been indicated as an at-risk group for developing poorer psychological responses and decreased well-being during the COVID pandemic. The aim of the study was to observe a trajectory of lifestyle changes and its impact on mental health in longitudinal perspective as well as explore the coping strategies used by students during the pandemic and their possible mediating effect on psychopathological symptoms.

Methods: Data were collected via an online survey addressing behavioral changes that occur during the pandemic, as well as psychopathological and PTSD symptoms. It was conducted among university students at two time-points May and June 2020 as well as June and October 2021 with a pooled total number of participants n=2010.

Results: the studied population of Polish university students has experienced significant behavioral and psychological changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic which remained influential after over a year into the crisis.

Conclusions: Previously drawn conclusions regarding risk factors were confirmed - all of the variables associated with worse mental health in the beginning of the pandemic remained significantly related to higher psychopathology and PTSD symptoms over a year later. Partial mediations between all of the explored coping strategies, behavioral changes and psychopathological symptoms could be established.