Polish University students’ mood changes during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic; relationships with gender, academic variables and coping

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the study was to determine potential mood changes reported by Polish undergraduates during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and how mood may be differ, according to gender, field and year of study. Differences in coping strategies depending on mood changes were also Investigated. Method: The study involved 1330 students (767 women and 563 men) aged 18–30 years studying various faculties at the Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Poland. A modified version of the the Coping Orientations to Problem Experienced University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology Mood Adjective Check List UMACL was used to identify mood changes, and brief version of the Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced COPE was used to identify the coping strategies employed. Results: A decrease in hedonic tone and energetic arousal and an increase in tense arousal was reported during the pandemic, with a deterioration in students’ mood. Mood deterioration was lower in male students and sport and physical education students. Students who reported mood improvement were most likely to use positive reframing, acceptance, active coping, humour, and physical activity. Students with deteriorated mood used self-blaming, venting, denial, behavioural disengagement, and doing something else most frequently. Discussion: Female students, those studying physiotherapy, tourism and recreation, and other majors (nursing, occupational therapy, cosmetology), and first-year master's students are more likely to report negative psychological impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of emotional and avoidance coping strategies may increase the affective cost of pandemic stress.