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Mental Health Crisis and Stress Coping among Healthcare College Students Momentarily Displaced from Their Campus Community Because of COVID-19 Restrictions in Japan

Author

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  • Masatoshi Tahara

    (Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara 252-0373, Kanagawa, Japan
    Department of Rehabilitation Therapist, Saiseikai Higashikanagawa Rehabilitation Hospital, 1-13-10, Nishikanagawa, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama 221-0822, Kanagawa, Japan)

  • Yuki Mashizume

    (Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara 252-0373, Kanagawa, Japan)

  • Kayoko Takahashi

    (Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara 252-0373, Kanagawa, Japan
    Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara 252-0373, Kanagawa, Japan)

Abstract

College students are one of the most affected groups by self-quarantine due to COVID-19, as they may live in loneliness and anxiety, increasing their risk of mental health crisis. This study aimed to identify risk factors for poor mental health and stress coping strategies among healthcare college students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted over 7 consecutive days starting on 28 April 2020 using a web-based questionnaire. The survey assessed socioeconomic characteristics and the General Health Questionnaire-12 score, self-reported health status, anxiety, and satisfaction with daily life, work, leisure, and new activities. Approximately 70% of 223 respondents had poor mental health. Less communication with friends was the main risk factor for mental health problems. Good health status and satisfaction with leisure and new activities were associated with reduced risk of mental health problems. Students with poor mental health tended to seek social support as a stress coping strategy. This study showed that the mental health of students declined during self-quarantine, and loneliness could be the major reason. There is a need for a new form of communication and learning that deals with the isolation and loneliness of students, especially for students living alone.

Suggested Citation

  • Masatoshi Tahara & Yuki Mashizume & Kayoko Takahashi, 2021. "Mental Health Crisis and Stress Coping among Healthcare College Students Momentarily Displaced from Their Campus Community Because of COVID-19 Restrictions in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-12, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7245-:d:589562
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kento Tanaka & Masatoshi Tahara & Yuki Mashizume & Kayoko Takahashi, 2021. "Effects of Lifestyle Changes on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers with Different Sense of Coherence Levels in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Qin Xiang Ng & Donovan Yutong Lim & Kuan Tsee Chee, 2020. "Not all trauma is the same," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 117(41), pages 25200-25200, October.
    3. Masatoshi Tahara & Yuki Mashizume & Kayoko Takahashi, 2020. "Coping Mechanisms: Exploring Strategies Utilized by Japanese Healthcare Workers to Reduce Stress and Improve Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Qin Xiang Ng & Kuan Tsee Chee & Michelle Lee Zhi Qing De Deyn & Zenn Chua, 2020. "Staying connected during the COVID-19 pandemic," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(5), pages 519-520, August.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Elaine Sheedy O’Sullivan & Karrie-Marie McCarthy & Cian O’Neill & Janette Walton & Lisa Bolger & Andrea Bickerdike, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Health-Related Behaviours, Mental Well-Being, and Academic Engagement of a Cohort of Undergraduate Students in an Irish University Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-23, December.
    3. Juhyun Jin, 2023. "Factors Influencing Spiritual Health among Nursing Students in the Prolonged COVID-19 Situation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    4. Juri Yamazaki & Masashi Kizuki & Takeo Fujiwara, 2022. "Association between Frequency of Conversations and Suicidal Ideation among Medical Students during COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-9, May.

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