Changes in Coping Strategies, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression among University Students

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed various aspects of human life. During the early pandemic, university students must deal with academic tasks and adjust to measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, such as online learning. This condition can be burdensome and lead to mental problems. This study aimed to identify any changes in the coping strategies and the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among students during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a longitudinal study design involving medical and pharmacy students of Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, from August 2020 to January 2021. The Brief COPE was used to assess coping mechanisms. The DASS-21 was used to evaluate stress, anxiety, and depression. The changes in coping strategies differed between medical and pharmacy students. Medical students became less self-distracted and did less planning. The pharmacy students applied behavioral disengagement more. Self-distraction and acceptance were the most common coping strategies used by both groups. While medical student participants experienced less stress, anxiety, and depression during the study period, the pharmacy students were more stressed. Most of the students experienced anxiety during the early pandemic. The present study showed some changes in coping strategies during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, although self-distraction and acceptance remained the most used strategies. Additionally, anxiety is the most common mental problem experienced by the students during the COVID-19 pandemic.