COVID-19 Stress and Its Impact on Self Protective Behaviors in an Emerging Adult College Sample: The Importance of Trauma

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundDevelopmentally, social relationships are critical in the lives of emerging adults; however, little research has been focused on the types of protective behaviors that individuals on college campuses engaged in during the pandemic.PurposeThis study examines predictors of emerging adults’ self-protective behaviors with a focus on COVID stress.MethodsParticipants were 132 undergraduate participants who completed a series of online measures aimed at assessing COVID-19 stress and various self-protective behaviors.ResultsUsing sanitizer, wearing masks, and notifying people of contact were the most prevalent self-protective behaviors. COVID-19 stress, particularly trauma, was the only significant predictor of self-protective behaviors. Results also showed that for women trauma predicted self-protective behavior and women in general reported more COVID-19 trauma.DiscussionAlthough most participants reported engaging in some type of self-protective behaviors, the data suggest that psychological factors are important for predicting these behaviors.Translation to Health Education PracticeThis research offers insight into the need for college/university campuses to prioritize both physical health behaviors and also mental health consequences during the pandemic consistent with several NCHEC responsibilities.A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars