ABSTRACT

There are widespread concerns about the mental health implications of the pandemic, particularly among university students, an already at-risk population for poor mental health. This study looked at 1,281 UK university students, recruited through the Prolific website. Participants were asked to complete the Attitudes towards COVID-19 Scale, the CORE-10, the PERMA Profiler, the GAD-7 and the Office for National Statistics wellbeing questions (ONS4). The first survey was conducted between May 14^th and 16^th, when the UK was in national lockdown. The second survey was carried out between June 26^th and July 15^th. There was only an 11% attrition rate between the two time points. Well-being improved overall between the two time points. Some findings were contradictory as overall well-being, anxiety and levels of flourishing improved, but reports of psychological distress increased. It is also important to note that levels of positivity about the pandemic increased as time went on. There was evidence that higher levels of positivity were linked to better mental health outcomes. Encouraging a positive mindset and outlook in students, probably through positive psychology-based interventions, might act as a protective factor against severe mental illness. The wider relevance and practical implications for higher education are discussed.

摘要

人们普遍担心这种流行病对心理健康的影响，尤其是在大学生中，他们已经处于心理健康不佳的风险人群中。这项研究调查了通过 Prolific 网站招募的 1,281 名英国大学生。要求参与者完成对 COVID-19 量表的态度、CORE-10、PERMA Profiler、GAD-7 和国家统计局幸福问题办公室 (ONS4)。^第一次调查是在 5 月 14^日至 16日期间进行的，当时英国处于全国封锁状态。第二次调查于6月26^日至7月15^日进行. 两个时间点之间只有 11% 的流失率。在两个时间点之间，整体幸福感得到改善。一些发现是矛盾的，因为整体幸福感、焦虑和繁荣水平有所改善，但心理困扰的报告有所增加。同样重要的是要注意，随着时间的推移，对大流行的积极程度有所提高。有证据表明，更高水平的积极性与更好的心理健康结果有关。鼓励学生积极的心态和观点，可能通过积极的基于心理学的干预措施，可能成为预防严重精神疾病的保护因素。讨论了高等教育的更广泛的相关性和实际意义。