Dating anxiety during the global COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for college students.

Abstract

Dating anxiety (i.e., anxiety experienced when initiating and/or maintaining a romantic connection) is prevalent in the college student population. Dating anxiety may contribute to psychological distress and diminished life satisfaction and has been found to be associated with depressive symptoms. The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated preventative strategies that may negatively impact college students' ability to socialize and thus potentially worsen their mental health. The current study examined whether the relationship between dating anxiety and depressive symptoms was moderated by perceived impact of COVID-19. Participants included college students (N = 225) enrolled at a large Midwestern university and were 18-23 years of age (Mage = 18.95). Participants completed self-report measures of demographics, dating anxiety, perceived impact of COVID-19, and depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with dating anxiety, beta = .40, 95% CI [.292, .513], and COVID-19 impact, beta = .33, 95% CI [.220, .436]. The interaction term (Dating Anxiety x COVID-19 Impact) was significant, beta = .15, 95% CI [.062, .240], such that the relationship between higher dating anxiety and greater depressive symptoms strengthened as COVID-19 impact increased. Our findings demonstrate that increased dating anxiety is related to increased depressive symptoms, which are worsened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. College students more strongly impacted by COVID-19 may have increased dating anxiety because of decreased exposure to social situations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement The current results have particular implications for mental health services provided to college students. Clinicians providing care to college students should consider the substantial challenges the COVID-19 pandemic presents for daily living, including dating, particularly for individuals who reported higher perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)