Prevalence and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns in Australian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic
IntroductionCoronavirus (COVID-19) instigated unprecedented global effects on healthcare systems, economies, employment, education, travel, and social lives. In addition to increased mental health challenges, pandemic restrictions have triggered emerging cognitive concerns. University students are a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1094497/full |
| _version_ | 1797956000855097344 |
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| author | Laura J. Bird Melinda McCabe Yen Ying Lim Kim Cornish |
| author_facet | Laura J. Bird Melinda McCabe Yen Ying Lim Kim Cornish |
| author_sort | Laura J. Bird |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionCoronavirus (COVID-19) instigated unprecedented global effects on healthcare systems, economies, employment, education, travel, and social lives. In addition to increased mental health challenges, pandemic restrictions have triggered emerging cognitive concerns. University students are at particularly high risk of adverse lockdown-related effects, yet despite the substantial adaptions to learning necessitated by COVID-19, limited research has so far focused on the cognitive consequences of the pandemic among university students. This study aimed to comprehensively examine the nature, prevalence, and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns among 972 students (Median age = 22 years, 70% female) enrolled at Monash University, Australia, in December 2020.MethodsStudents completed the online THRIVE@Monash survey, 5 weeks following prolonged lockdown in Melbourne. Using group comparisons and hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses, we examined associations between demographic and enrolment characteristics, COVID-19-related experiences and impacts (author-developed questions), self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms (PROMIS Anxiety and Depression scales), and students’ perceived changes in everyday cognitive functions (author-developed questions).ResultsOver 60% of students reported subjective cognitive concerns (SCCs). After controlling for anxiety and depression symptoms, students reporting more SCCs were more likely to be younger, from White/European ethnic backgrounds, and in their first year of undergraduate study. No differences in SCCs were found between male and female students. Greater worry, anxiety, or stress related to COVID-19 (e.g., infection, leaving the house, hygiene and exposure prevention, impact on physical and mental health), and time spent reading or talking about COVID-19, were generally not associated with SCCs after controlling for anxiety and depression symptoms.DiscussionThese findings highlight vulnerable subgroups of students who might benefit from regular monitoring, education, and interventions to support their cognitive health during the pandemic and beyond. In addition, cognitive concerns may provide additional insight into mental health problems among students, and emphasize the importance of understanding factors that impact students’ long-term academic and career success. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T23:43:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d7b7877e5872474597ca33c099eaf98e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T23:43:04Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d7b7877e5872474597ca33c099eaf98e2023-01-11T06:13:16ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-01-011310.3389/fpsyg.2022.10944971094497Prevalence and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns in Australian university students during the COVID-19 pandemicLaura J. BirdMelinda McCabeYen Ying LimKim CornishIntroductionCoronavirus (COVID-19) instigated unprecedented global effects on healthcare systems, economies, employment, education, travel, and social lives. In addition to increased mental health challenges, pandemic restrictions have triggered emerging cognitive concerns. University students are at particularly high risk of adverse lockdown-related effects, yet despite the substantial adaptions to learning necessitated by COVID-19, limited research has so far focused on the cognitive consequences of the pandemic among university students. This study aimed to comprehensively examine the nature, prevalence, and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns among 972 students (Median age = 22 years, 70% female) enrolled at Monash University, Australia, in December 2020.MethodsStudents completed the online THRIVE@Monash survey, 5 weeks following prolonged lockdown in Melbourne. Using group comparisons and hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses, we examined associations between demographic and enrolment characteristics, COVID-19-related experiences and impacts (author-developed questions), self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms (PROMIS Anxiety and Depression scales), and students’ perceived changes in everyday cognitive functions (author-developed questions).ResultsOver 60% of students reported subjective cognitive concerns (SCCs). After controlling for anxiety and depression symptoms, students reporting more SCCs were more likely to be younger, from White/European ethnic backgrounds, and in their first year of undergraduate study. No differences in SCCs were found between male and female students. Greater worry, anxiety, or stress related to COVID-19 (e.g., infection, leaving the house, hygiene and exposure prevention, impact on physical and mental health), and time spent reading or talking about COVID-19, were generally not associated with SCCs after controlling for anxiety and depression symptoms.DiscussionThese findings highlight vulnerable subgroups of students who might benefit from regular monitoring, education, and interventions to support their cognitive health during the pandemic and beyond. In addition, cognitive concerns may provide additional insight into mental health problems among students, and emphasize the importance of understanding factors that impact students’ long-term academic and career success.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1094497/fullcognitionsubjective cognitive concernsCOVID-19pandemicuniversity students |
| spellingShingle | Laura J. Bird Melinda McCabe Yen Ying Lim Kim Cornish Prevalence and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns in Australian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic Frontiers in Psychology cognition subjective cognitive concerns COVID-19 pandemic university students |
| title | Prevalence and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns in Australian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full | Prevalence and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns in Australian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns in Australian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns in Australian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_short | Prevalence and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns in Australian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_sort | prevalence and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns in australian university students during the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | cognition subjective cognitive concerns COVID-19 pandemic university students |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1094497/full |
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