CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Projects In-Progress

Presenter Information

Morgan BodkerFollow

Academic Level at Time of Presentation

Senior

Major

Psychology

Minor

Marketing

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Dr. St Peters

Presentation Format

Poster Presentation

Abstract/Description

This study examined whether severity of an individual’s COVID symptoms is predictive of a long-term risk for depression in college students. An online survey was completed by 123 students (M = 19.45; SD = 4.23) who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 at any time since the pandemic. Severity of COVID symptoms at the time of diagnosis was assessed using seven questions on a 4-point Likert scale. Current depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Participants who had a COVID diagnosis reported significantly higher levels of depression than participants who have never had COVID. A linear regression restricted to students who reported having COVID revealed severity of COVID symptoms at time of diagnosis is predictive of current levels of depression. This study explores potential explanations and ramifications for why college students who had COVID previously may be at a higher risk for later developing depression.

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Psychology: Projects In-Progress

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Lingering Effects of COVID-19 on Mental Health in College Students

This study examined whether severity of an individual’s COVID symptoms is predictive of a long-term risk for depression in college students. An online survey was completed by 123 students (M = 19.45; SD = 4.23) who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 at any time since the pandemic. Severity of COVID symptoms at the time of diagnosis was assessed using seven questions on a 4-point Likert scale. Current depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Participants who had a COVID diagnosis reported significantly higher levels of depression than participants who have never had COVID. A linear regression restricted to students who reported having COVID revealed severity of COVID symptoms at time of diagnosis is predictive of current levels of depression. This study explores potential explanations and ramifications for why college students who had COVID previously may be at a higher risk for later developing depression.