Financial strain and the health and well-being of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

This study examined the associations between COVID-19-related financial strain and the stress, mental health, physical health symptoms, and health behaviors of American university students.

Participants

Online data were collected from 485 participants between May 2020 and March 2021. Participants were majority female and majority white.

Methods

Participants reported on stress (COVID-19 health stress and work stress), mental health (depression, anxiety, loneliness, social support, and subjective well-being), physical health symptoms, and health behaviors (sleep latency, alcohol consumption, alcohol coping, other substance use, exercise, COVID-19 health behaviors).

Results

Both Pearson's correlations and Bayesian correlation indicated more stress and worse mental health, health symptoms, and health behaviors for students who experienced more financial strain.

Conclusion

Pandemic-related financial strain could have enduring negative effects for students, many of whom already experience financial challenges. This work highlights a need to allocate resources to promote college student health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.