(PS7-D80) Examining the Longitudinal Relationship Between the Mental Health Impact, Coping Strategies, and News Sources Utilized During COVID-19 and Anxiety and Depression Outcomes in University Students

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted university-aged students and people of color. Following the initial stages of the pandemic, research found that the majority of university students experienced increased stress, anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as increased academic-, health-, lifestyle-, and coping-related concerns. Gender, sexual, and race/ethnic minorities have reportedly been at a greater risk of experiencing increases in anxiety or depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary findings also indicate that the type of coping strategies utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic may further influence mental health outcomes. Given the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the well-being of university students, it is vital to investigate how additional factors have contributed to or protected against the worsening of anxiety and depression symptoms among this already at-risk population. The current study examined how mental health impact and coping strategies in Fall 2020 (Time 1) were associated with anxiety and depression symptoms in Fall 2021 (Time 2). We anticipated that race/ethnicity would moderate these relationships. A sample of 823 university students completed a longitudinal survey assessing demographic factors, the degree to which COVID-19 has impacted their mental health, frequency of various coping strategies used (e.g., virtual contact with family/friends, spending time outside, etc.), and anxiety and depression symptoms. Hierarchical regressions were used to examine whether race/ethnicity moderate the relationship between factors at Time 1 and anxiety and depression symptoms at Time 2. Reporting a worse mental health impact at Time 1 was associated with greater anxiety and depression symptoms at Time 2. At lower levels of reported Time 1 mental health impact, Asian students endorsed greater anxiety and depression symptoms compared to White students at Time 2. At higher levels of Time 1 mental health impact, White students endorsed greater anxiety and depression symptoms compared to Asian students at Time 2. Additionally, a greater frequency of coping strategies utilized at Time 1 was associated with less depression symptoms at Time 2. This trend was not consistent for Asian students as they reported significantly more symptoms of depression at higher rates of coping strategy usage compared to their White peers. These findings suggest that compared to their peers, Asian students may have generally experienced greater levels of distress during the COVID-19 pandemic that were not attenuated by increased usage of coping strategies. Further research should examine whether racial discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the effectiveness of coping strategies for Asian students.