Background
Studies have shown that optimism relates to lower academic stress (Yovita & Asih, 2018). However, it is unclear how these variables have been affected by the pandemic. The purpose of the present study is to compare pre-pandemic optimism and stress at the beginning and end of the Fall 2019 semester to mid-pandemic optimism and stress at the beginning and end of the Fall 2020 semester.
Hypotheses/Research Questions
We hypothesize that stress will be higher and optimism will be lower mid-pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. In addition, we hypothesize that stress will increase more and optimism will decrease more within this mid-pandemic semester compared to within the pre-pandemic semester. We will also conduct exploratory analyses on how use of campus wellness programs differs according to time period.
Sample Characteristics
There were 311 psychology students that completed our beginning- and end-of-semester assessments for Fall 2019. Data collection for the present Fall 2020 semester is pending, but there were 219 psychology students that completed our beginning-of-semester assessment.
Design
Participants completed self-report ratings of their present stress and optimism at the beginning and end of the Fall 2019 semester. In addition, participants reported on their use of campus wellness programs. The same approach is being applied to the current semester.
Results
Data collection is ongoing, so some research questions cannot yet be addressed. However, there is evidence that optimism is significantly lower and stress is significantly higher during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. Additionally, these effects differ across ethnic groups.
Scientific Contributions
This study may provide information about how college students’ stress and optimism have been affected by the pandemic and whether these effects have been more pronounced for certain individuals. This is an important study because college students are navigating new challenges with online/hybrid courses.