The Impact of Self-Isolation on the Mental Health of University Students in the Covid-19 Pandemic

In Russia, as well as in the whole world, there is a comprehension period of self-isolation during the pandemic of the coronavirus infection COVID-19. Teams of scientists of different fields carry out research into the impact of studies organization in the pandemic on the education system. The purpose of this study was to summarize and analyze the impact of self-isolation on the mental health of university students in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; identify the most vulnerable groups of students and risk factors for anxiety and stress. The study was carried out based on three Moscow universities: Russian State Social University, Moscow State University of Food Production, and the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. To determine the dependence of the mental state of students on self-isolation during studies, the modified questionnaire by A. Kecojevic and co-authors was used. The study comprised 872 students (68% - female, 32% - male) 1^st–4^th year Bachelor students and 1^st–2d year Master students at the age of 17–23, enrolled in full-time programs in Social and Humanitarian Sciences, Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The findings have supported the assumption that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of students. It has been found out that the 4th year undergraduate and the 1st year graduate students are most susceptible to stress, anxiety and uncertainty about their future in comparison with other students. The COVID-19 epidemic still goes on, which can result in further deterioration of the mental health of students, and therefore, more research is required in this field. Researchers should pay attention to the adaptation of students after their return to university, the dynamics of interpersonal relationships with peers, factors influencing the emotional state and depression.

I. Introduction

The outbreak of the coronavirus infection COVID-19, first recorded in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and covering most countries of the world, has led to changes in all spheres of life, including the higher education sector. The pandemic has brought chaos and confusion, instability, having enhanced the situation of uncertainty and social, economic, family problems [1], having destroyed the usual way of life, which has negatively influenced the mental health of the population in many countries of the world [2].