Evidence suggests that post-secondary students without pre-existing mental health concerns may have experienced worsening mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, relative to students with pre-existing mental health concerns. To clarify the psychological impacts of the pandemic, and elucidate why differences may exist among students, 20 interviews were conducted with emerging adults enrolled in university. Using directed content analysis, eight themes were identified: three more common among students with pre-existing mental health concerns, three more common among students without pre-existing mental health concerns, and two shared. Although all students experienced novel stressors during the pandemic, students without pre-existing mental health concerns reported greater increases in social and academic isolation, relative to students with pre-existing mental health concerns. Students with pre-existing mental health concerns also leveraged existing coping repertoires, which further supported their ability to manage pandemic-related challenges. Findings highlight how postsecondary institutions can bolster student well-being.

有证据表明，与先前存在心理健康问题的学生相比，在 COVID-19 大流行期间，没有预先存在心理健康问题的大专学生的心理健康状况可能会恶化。为了阐明大流行的心理影响，并阐明学生之间可能存在差异的原因，对大学入学的新兴成年人进行了 20 次访谈。使用定向内容分析，确定了八个主题：三个在有心理健康问题的学生中更常见，三个在没有心理健康问题的学生中更常见，两个是共享的。尽管所有学生在大流行期间都经历了新的压力源，但没有预先存在心理健康问题的学生报告说，社会和学术孤立的增加更大，相对于已有心理健康问题的学生。先前存在心理健康问题的学生也利用了现有的应对技巧，这进一步支持了他们应对大流行相关挑战的能力。调查结果强调了高等教育机构如何促进学生的福祉。