Perceived stress, wellbeing and mental health of college student during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Education supports young adults in enhancing coping mechanises, gaining support system, having a good and healthy lifestyle with regular psychological and physical activities example having schedule day, teaching-learning programmes, meeting peers, social contacts as having social interaction which itself reduce the stress of individual and reliefs to have a peaceful mind. Aim: To assess the perceived stress, well-being and mental health of college students who are now out of education because of COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The study followed a cross-sectional study design and purposive sampling method. The sample includes N = 100 from various colleges of Karnataka state. The socio-demographic schedule, perceived stress, general well-being and suicide behaviour scales were used the data and the data was analysed using SPSS version 25. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted negatively on college student’s education-related plans. They were worried experienced anxiety, stress and also hopelessness, worthlessness and helplessness; the majority of college students were reported of having moderate to high level of stress and use of TV and mobile was reported high during the lockdown and the academic-related activities were relatively very less. Conclusion: There is a need for mental health service to address the needs of this specific population. Keywords : COVID-19, stress, mental health, well-being, suicide, college student