AMADO E.
TAJANLANGIT III 12-DESCARTES
Title of the Factors Predicting Willingness to Share Effects of COVID-19 on College Students’ Coping strategies of students for
Study COVID-19 Misinformation Mental Health in the United States: Interview anxiety during the COVID-19
Survey Study pandemic in China: a cross-sectional
study
Author of the Emillio J.C. Lobato, Maia Powell, Lace M. Changwon Son, BS,MS Mohammad Nurunnabi, Syed Far
Study K. Padilla, Colin Holbrook Farzan Sasangohar, BA, BCS, MASc, PhD Abid Hossain Hossain, Karuthan
Alec Smith, BS Chinna, Sheela Sundarasen, Heba
Xiaomei Wang, BS, PhD Bakr Khoshaim, Kamilah
Kamaludin, Gul Mohammad Baloch,
Areej Sukayt, and Xu Shan
The studies involving human participants Participants were recruited from the student Shaanxi province initiated from May
were reviewed and approved by University of population of a large university system in 26 th to June 3 rd, 2020.
Locale of the California, Merced’s Office of Research and Texas, United States. This particular
Study Economic Development on 24 September university closed all their campuses on
2020. March 23, 2020, and held all its classes
virtually in response to the COVID-19
pandemic.
Statement of This study aimed to correct the The aim of this study is to identify major This study aimed to shed light on the
the Problem misinformation about the COVID-19 stressors associated with the COVID-19 coping strategies used by university
diseases. pandemic and to understand their effects on students in China during the COVID-
college students’ mental health. This paper 19 outbreak.
documents the findings from online interview
surveys conducted in a large university
system in Texas.
Hypothesis of The results exhibited that the study indicate a The overall results indicate a significant The overall findings of the study
the Study significant effect on understanding how effect in College students on how to maintain clearly indicate a significant
misinformation concerning COVID-19 a good mental health during COVID-19 in relationship between university
online. United States. students and their coping strategies
during the COVID-19 in China.
AMADO E. TAJANLANGIT III 12-DESCARTES
Variable of the Independent: COVID-19 Pandemic Independent: COVID-19 and Lockdown Independent: COVID-19 pandemic in
Study China
Dependent: The misinformation that people Dependent: Mental Health of College
know. students in United States. Dependent: Anxiety among students
Instrument Following this task, participants filled out the We conducted interview surveys with 195 Initially, the questionnaire was piloted
used to Solve individual difference measures in randomized students at a large public university in the and validated by seven professors
each Problem order. Finally, participants filled out a United States to understand the effects of the from various countries. There were no
demographics form. Participants were pandemic on their mental health and well-
changes during the validation stage.
debriefed as to the nature of the study and being. The data were analyzed through
informed that the claims they read regarding quantitative and qualitative methods. An online semi-structured survey was
COVID-19 were not true. developed by the authors. The survey
was administered using a Chinese
website called wjx.cn forms, which
are similar to Google or Microsoft
forms.
Results It presents the descriptive statistics for scores Of the 195 students, 138 (71%) indicated In total, 66.90% of the students
on the individual difference measures and for increased stress and anxiety due to the reported experiencing “normal”
mean participant ratings of their likelihood to COVID-19 outbreak. Multiple stressors were anxiety, and 23.80% reported it as
share the examined types of COVID-19 identified that contributed to the increased “severe to extreme”. The results
misinformation. On average, our sample was levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive showing how much each of the four
not inclined toward liberalism or thoughts among students. These included fear coping strategies was used by the
conservatism, as measured by the modified and worry about their own health and of their respondents. Overall, the usage of all
Political Issues Index. Our sample was mildly loved ones (177/195, 91% reported negative four strategies was moderate to low.
inclined toward conspiracy ideation. impacts of the pandemic), difficulty in The distributions were fairly normal
Additionally, the sample was mildly above concentrating (173/195, 89%), disruptions to (skewness < 2, kurtosis < 7) Overall,
the midpoint for the CoSS, indicating a slight sleeping patterns (168/195, 86%), decreased the students practiced more mental
inclination toward rejecting science as social interactions due to physical distancing engagement strategies and fewer
credible. Our sample also averaged slightly (167/195, 86%), and increased concerns on social support strategies.
below the midpoint on the SDO scale, while academic performance (159/195, 82%). To
AMADO E. TAJANLANGIT III 12-DESCARTES
averaging around the midpoint on the cope with stress and anxiety, participants
Traditionalism scale. Regarding willingness have sought support from others and helped
to share COVID-19 misinformation claims themselves by adopting either negative or
over social media, our sample averaged positive coping mechanisms.
below the midpoint, suggesting an overall
low willingness to share the COVID-19
claims we tested.
Summary of
Currently, the world is experiencing a global Mental health issues are the leading COVID-19 has severely affected
the Study
university students everywhere in the
pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing impediment to academic success. Mental
illness can affect students’ motivation, world. Due to fear of infection,
the COVID-19 disease (World Health government and local authorities in
concentration, and social interactions— China immediately closed academic
Organization, 2020). Scientific and medical crucial factors for students to succeed in
institutions and tried to find survival
information concerning the virus is being higher education. The 2019 Annual Report of techniques to cope with market
turbulence. COVID-19 was present in
discovered and relayed quickly in efforts to the Center for Collegiate Mental Health
China at the end of 2019. However,
inform the general public and policymakers reported that anxiety continues to be the most little attention has been paid by
researchers to coping strategies during
about how best to respond. The demand for common problem (62.7% of 82,685 the COVID-19 pandemic, and few
respondents) among students who completed
information related to COVID-19 is high, measures were taken to assess the
the Counseling Center Assessment of coping strategies of university
creating a prime environment for Psychological Symptoms, with clinicians also students, specifically following the
misinformation to spread. reporting that anxiety continues to be the closure of their institutions. To address
this gap, this study attempted to
most common diagnosis of the students that discover the coping strategies of
The information environment surrounding the
seek services at university counseling Chinese students during the COVID-
pandemic affords an opportunity to study the 19 pandemic in China.
centers. Consistent with the national trend,
spread of scientific misinformation on social Texas A&M University has seen a rise in the We conducted an online survey using
media platforms. We explored whether number of students seeking services for a semi-structured questionnaire with a
simple random sampling technique
AMADO E. TAJANLANGIT III 12-DESCARTES
different patterns of individual differences anxiety disorders over the past 8 years. In and received 559 responses. The
survey questions captured information
predict the inclination to share different kinds 2018, slightly over 50% of students reported
anxiety as the main reason for seeking about students’ lives during the
of misinformation about a salient socio- COVID-19 outbreak, actions to
services. Despite the increasing need for control anxiety, and what students care
cultural scientific topic. For the purposes of mental health care services at postsecondary
about during the pandemic. The
the present research, we limited our focus to institutions, alarmingly, only a small portion associations between coping strategies
used and levels of anxiety were tested
individual differences in propensity toward of students committing suicide contact their
using analysis of variance (ANOVA)
conspiracy ideation, attitudes toward science, institution counseling centers, perhaps due to procedures. SPSS Statistics v27 was
used for statistical analysis in this
and facets of political ideology. Each of these the stigma associated with mental health. study.
Such negative stigma surrounding mental
individual differences has been previously
health diagnosis and care has been found to The university students reported that
found to relate either to the endorsement of correlate with a reduction in adherence to coping strategies and survival
techniques were required due to high
misinformation or to how people respond to treatment and even early termination of
levels of anxiety and psychological
health threats from pathogens, as will be treatment. pressure during the COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into pandemic. Most of the respondents
briefly described below. reported the prompt closure of their
focus the mental health of various affected academic institutions due to COVID-
We recruited 404 participants via Amazon’s
Mechanical Turk, comparable to other populations. It is known that the prevalence 19. Psychological concerns, such as
research on credulity about hazard claims of epidemics accentuates or creates new lack of sleep, emotional support,
(e.g., Samore et al., 2018). We removed data stressors including fear and worry for oneself mental support and social appeal, were
on the basis of preregistered criteria: also reported.
incomplete responses to the dependent or loved ones, constraints on physical This is one of the very first studies on
measure or individual difference measures, movement and social activities due to coping strategies for anxiety in China.
completing the study in less than 2 min, and quarantine, and sudden and radical lifestyle The study reveals that university
failure to respond or nonsensical response to students employ a number of coping
an open-ended question asking them to changes. A recent review of virus outbreaks strategies in relation to COVID-19,
describe the study. The final sample, after and pandemics documented stressors such as but also suggests a need to strengthen
exclusions, was 296 participants (Mage = infection fears, frustration, boredom,
AMADO E. TAJANLANGIT III 12-DESCARTES
36.23, SDage = 10.96; 178 men, 117 women, 1 inadequate supplies, inadequate information, such strategies in this population.
other). Participants were paid $0.75USD for financial loss, and stigma. Participants were However, the study was limited to a
participation.We used fact-checking sites, recruited from the student population of a small number of provinces in China,
such as Snopes.com and FactCheck.org, to which may affect the generalizability
create an ad hoc measure of peoples’ large university system in Texas, United of the research.
willingness to share misinformation about States. We conducted interview surveys with
COVID-19 over social media. Eighteen 195 students at a large public university in
actual claims, either verified to be untrue or
the United States to understand the effects of
unverifiable, that have been made regarding
COVID-19 were presented to participants. the pandemic on their mental health and well-
For each claim, participants used a slider to being. The data were analyzed through
indicate how likely they would be to share
quantitative and qualitative methods. Of the
that claim over their social media accounts.
The slider bar ranged from scores of 0 to 100, 195 students, 138 (71%) indicated increased
with anchors of “Definitely not share,” “Less stress and anxiety due to the COVID-19
likely to share,” “More likely to share,” and outbreak. Multiple stressors were identified
“Definitely share” located at the 0, 33, 66,
and 100 marks, respectively. We calculated that contributed to the increased levels of
mean scores for participants’ willingness to stress, anxiety, and depressive thoughts
share misinformed claims about COVID-19. among students. These included fear and
The present study was exploratory by design.
Accordingly, these results should be worry about their own health and of their
interpreted with caution, but may inform loved ones (177/195, 91% reported negative
more sophisticated research and modeling impacts of the pandemic), difficulty in
into misinformation diffusion about a
concentrating (173/195, 89%), disruptions to
scientific topic. Despite the limitations of the
present research, we find that factors sleeping patterns (168/195, 86%), decreased
primarily related to individuals’ political social interactions due to physical distancing
beliefs, and in particular tendencies toward (167/195, 86%), and increased concerns on
social dominance, are important for
understanding how misinformation academic performance (159/195, 82%). To
concerning COVID-19 diffuses online. cope with stress and anxiety, participants
AMADO E. TAJANLANGIT III 12-DESCARTES
have sought support from others and helped
themselves by adopting either negative or
positive coping mechanisms.
Conclusions The present study was exploratory by design. Due to the long-lasting pandemic situation
The overall findings of the study
Accordingly, these results should be and onerous measures such as lockdown and
clearly indicate a significant
interpreted with caution, but may inform stay-at-home orders, the COVID-19
relationship between university
more sophisticated research and modeling pandemic brings negative impacts on higher
students and their coping strategies
into misinformation diffusion about a education. The findings of our study
during the COVID-19 in China.
scientific topic. Despite the limitations of the highlight the urgent need to develop
Increasing psychological pressure on
present research, we find that factors interventions and preventive strategies to
students – consistent with our study
primarily related to individuals’ political address the mental health of college students.
finding that 48.3% of respondents
beliefs, and in particular tendencies toward believed that during the epidemic
social dominance, are important for period everything would collapse –
understanding how misinformation affect the students’ usual coping
concerning COVID-19 diffuses online. strategies and also their regular
academic activities such as class
attendance and assignments. As a
result, ideal and safe coping strategies
should be identified for the students in
order to face any epidemic challenges
in the future 10, which may help to
ensure sustainable educational
development in the world. Prioritizing
research on mental health, anxiety and
students’ coping strategies along with
psychological effects is necessary.
Recommendati WHO are promoting this campaign in many Taking care of yourself can better equip you Ideal and safe coping strategies should
ons countries spanning across Africa, Asia, to take care of others. During times of social be identified for the students in order
Europe, Middle East and Latin America. The distancing, it is especially important to stay to face any epidemic challenges in the
AMADO E. TAJANLANGIT III 12-DESCARTES
campaign is in support of WHO’s work connected with your friends and family. future 10, which may help to ensure
towards addressing the infodemic of false Helping others cope with stress through sustainable educational development
information about COVID-19 and busting phone calls or video chats can help you and in the world. Prioritizing research on
myths about the spread, diagnostic and your loved ones feel less lonely or mental health, anxiety and students’
treatment of the disease. isolated.To cope with stress and anxiety coping strategies along with
imposed by COVID-19, college students psychological effects is necessary.
reported seeking support from others but
were mainly using various self-management
methods. To overcome these barriers, the
participants of the current study suggested
the mental health practitioners of the country
to raise awareness on mental health and
improve mental health services.
Reflection The study indicates that, we should stop Universities should also provide The study indicates numerous
spreading fake information so that it could psychological services, either face to face or implications for society. First, the
not lead to any misinformation and remotely, as they will mitigate the emotional university authority should be aware
misunderstanding. and mental impacts on students. It is crucial of the students’ coping strategies. In
to be constantly in touch with the students. particular, students who live without
Universities ought to embark on structured parents or relatives should be taken
programs to reduce anxiety, such as life skills care of properly during the outbreak.
training and mindfulness therapy, which have Second, to help students cope with the
been validated to reduce anxiety levels. mental pressure, university authorities
Equally important is for universities to re- may think about arranging or
examine their curricula, learning outcomes, organizing programs such as an online
and assessment methods for the courses and experience-sharing competition, and
programs taught online as they should be encourage students by offering
distinguished from those meant for face-to- rewards or financial aids. Finally,
face teaching mode. required food and healthcare materials
should be supplied to ensure the
students’ safety.
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