Attitudes toward COVID-19 restrictions and COVID-19-related stress and fear among college students across three waves.

Background And Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of college students, leading to increased psychological distress. This study explored potenital predictors to better understand the factors that influence and mitigate student COVID-19 stress in the evolving landscape of residential colleges. Specifically, we investigated the roles of COVID-19 fear, loneliness, and attitudes toward COVID-19 restrictions.

Growth mindset of anxiety and avoidant coping as mediators of anxiety across the first year of college: A longitudinal survey of college students in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mediating role of growth mindset of anxiety beliefs and avoidant coping behaviors in predicting changes in anxiety across the first year of college, drawing from a sample of first year students managing the transition to college under the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions (Fall 2020-Fall 2021).

Methods: Self-report online surveys (n=122) were administered to first year students at four timepoints: the beginning (August 2020; T1), and follow up surveys at two months (October 2020; T2), three months (November 2020; T3) and twelve months (August 2021; T4).

Results: Path analysis indicate that growth mindset of anxiety and avoidant coping partially mediate the relationship between baseline anxiety and later anxiety outcomes.