Lifestyle Changes among Polish University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Karolina Fila-Witecka, Adrianna Senczyszyn, Agata Kołodziejczyk, Marta Ciułkowicz, Julian Maciaszek, Błażej Misiak, Dorota Szcześniak and Joanna Rymaszewska
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Karolina Fila-Witecka: Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
Adrianna Senczyszyn: Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
Agata Kołodziejczyk: Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
Marta Ciułkowicz: Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
Julian Maciaszek: Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
Błażej Misiak: Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
Dorota Szcześniak: Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
Joanna Rymaszewska: Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-19

Abstract: Students worldwide have been impacted by nationwide safety closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, creating an environment with loss of interaction with colleagues, social isolation, boredom, and economic uncertainty. Since university students were considered uniquely vulnerable to mental health problems even before the pandemic, this study aimed to investigate lifestyle and behavioral changes experienced by this population due to the epidemiological situation and their effect on their mental health. Data were collected via an online survey conducted among university students across Poland. The survey addressed recent lifestyle changes that were a result of the pandemic as well as psychological distress, symptoms of insomnia and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. The results indicate that protective factors include maintaining a daily routine, staying physically active, following a usual eating pattern and taking care of sleep hygiene. Changes in behavior contributing to poorer mental health included giving up a daily routine, neglecting meals, tidiness, hygiene as well as social relationships, changes in food intake, sleeping schedule, a decrease in physical activity and the onset of sexual dysfunctions. A history of psychiatric treatment and an increase in self-harm as well as an increase in alcohol and tobacco consumption were also found to be associated with psychological distress. Experienced lifestyle and behavioral changes and their impact on mental health were apparent throughout the obtained data, highlighting the need for psychological support in the studied population. Based on the results we were able to establish a list of protective and risk factors influencing the everyday life and psychological wellbeing of students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which could also be translated into life skills.

Keywords: mental health; online survey; COVID-19; coronavirus; lifestyle; university student; life skills (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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