Buffering Academic Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic Related Social Isolation: Grit and Growth Mindset as Protective Factors against the Impact of Loneliness

Magdalena Mosanya

doi:10.1007/s41042-020-00043-7

Abstract

The pandemic of the SARS CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 sickness, constitutes a global challenge to well-being. Positive psychology constructs of grit and growth mindset may offer a solution to this challenge as both are associated with psychological resilience. A growth mindset describes the underlying beliefs people have about the malleability of intelligence, and grit refers to dedication to long-term goals. The present study explored whether such constructs could constitute protective factors against the academic stress associated with loneliness and perceived lack of control among international students (n = 170) during social isolation, induced by COVID-19 restrictions. The results of a hierarchical multiple regression model explained 36% of the variance in academic stress with a perceived lack of control (ß = .53, p < .001) and growth mindset (ß = −.22, p < .001) being significant direct predictors. Moderation analysis explained 17% of the variance and confirmed that a level of dispositional grit moderated the detrimental influence loneliness had on academic stress. Simple slopes analysis revealed a significant effect for moderate (β = .07, p = .01) and high (β = .16, p = .001) levels of grit. Our findings suggest that grit and growth mindset, as dynamic variables, could be taught to students as resilience-building prevention of academic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, our results have shown that parents (37%) and friends (32%) were most frequently identified by students as supporters during the COVID-19 pandemic with minimal reported support from universities (2.5%).

Highlights

Methods170 undergraduate international students at a British overseas university were recruited via purposive sampling, as the objective of the study was focused on multicultural individuals
Growth mindset and grit were both negatively associated with academic stress, and grit individually negatively correlated with perceived lack of control and loneliness
International students upon whom social isolation was imposed as a preventive measure were at risk of developing mental health problems related to loneliness and stress

Summary

Methods

170 undergraduate international students at a British overseas university were recruited via purposive sampling, as the objective of the study was focused on multicultural individuals. The sample consisted of 145 females (86%) and 25 males (14%) with a mean age of 21.74 years (SD = 6.7); ages ranged from 16 to 56 years. Participants were international students from 32 countries, with the majority being from India (45%), Pakistan (8%), and Great Britain (4%). All participants were fluent in English, a requirement for university admission. 105 (65%) participants classified themselves as having grown up as Third Culture Kids based on a given definition of having spent a significant part of their developmental years (under 18) outside either of their parent’s country of origin or their own (Pollock and Van Reken 2009)

Results

Discussion

Conclusion