Coping Strategies and Trauma-Related Distress of College Students During Covid-19

Abstract

Present-day college students are particularly impacted by the disconcerting effects of Covid-19 because of their vulnerability towards mental health struggles. The current study identified coping strategies used by students in the United States and how those strategies are associated with trauma-related distress. Results showed acceptance, emotional processing, and social support were the most commonly used coping strategies. Furthermore, avoidance coping related to higher distress than more helpful approaches (e.g., humor). Demographic findings revealed that Black students used more religious coping than did White and Asian students. Additionally, older and upper-year students used substances to cope more than did other students, including those with higher grade point averages. Our discussion focuses on how the findings of the present study can be used to enhance student support, resiliency, academic performance, and retention.