An Investigation of COVID-19 Outcomes and College Student Demographics: Results from a National Sample

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effects of COVID-19 on college students and any differential outcomes across collegiate sub-populations towards the beginning of the pandemic.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Fall 2020 American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment.

Subjects: N = 13 373 undergraduate/graduate/professional students; 22 colleges/universities.

Measures: Six COVID-19 outcomes; 10 demographics.

Analysis: Campus-specific weights for student enrollment/sex distribution. Cross-tabulations/Pearson χ² test; Cramer's V/effect size; Bonferroni multiple testing correction (P < .0009).

Results: 5.6% of students had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Compared to counterparts within each demographic category, rates were significantly higher among many BIPOC student groups (e.g., Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: 15.0%); cisgender women (5.9%) and men (5.6%); heterosexuals (6.1%); undergraduates (6.3%); and sorority/fraternity members (13.7%). Due to COVID-19, 8.8% of students had lost a loved one; 14.6% had a loved one with long term effects from COVID; 38.6% had increased stress; 61.4% had more financial concerns; and 52.7% had more difficulty accessing mental healthcare. Students identifying as BIPOC; cisgender women and transgender/gender non-conforming (TGNC); queer-spectrum; undergraduate; first-generation; having a disability; and taking courses online were significantly more affected by most of these outcomes (all comparisons P < .0009).

Conclusions: Students were widely impacted by COVID-19 with substantive differences across sub-populations. Future research should examine trends over time and explore ways to reduce health disparities.

Keywords: COVID-19; colleges/universities; demographics; institutions of higher education; outcomes; students.