Loneliness Among U.S. College Students During COVID-19: An Exploratory Analysis

Presentation Type

Poster

Presentation Type

Submission

Keywords

Loneliness; undergraduates; national assessment; ULS-3; COVID-19

Department

Psychology

Major

Psychology

Abstract

The present study explored how loneliness rates among undergraduate students in the U.S. have changed before (Fall 2019), during (Spring 2021), and after (Spring 2023) lockdown by race and gender identity. Participants consisted of undergraduates who completed the National College Health Assessment III (NCHA III) from Fall 2019 to Spring 2023. The NCHA III assessed loneliness by having students complete the 3-item Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-3). Results indicated a main effect of gender (F(3,123543) = 256.70, p< .001) and race (F(7,122108) = 35.31, p< .001) on loneliness but not an interaction effect. The trend of loneliness exhibited a consistent pattern across all gender and racial groups. Loneliness reached its peak in Spring 2021 and subsequently decreased by Spring 2023, although not returning to the same levels observed in Spring 2019. In summary, while loneliness levels varied among different racial and gender identities, all undergraduates, regardless of race and gender identity, showed similar fluctuations in loneliness during the COVID-19 period.

Faculty Mentor

Khanh Bui

Location

Waves Cafeteria

Start Date

22-3-2024 1:30 PM

End Date

22-3-2024 2:30 PM

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Mar 22nd, 1:30 PM Mar 22nd, 2:30 PM

Loneliness Among U.S. College Students During COVID-19: An Exploratory Analysis

Waves Cafeteria

The present study explored how loneliness rates among undergraduate students in the U.S. have changed before (Fall 2019), during (Spring 2021), and after (Spring 2023) lockdown by race and gender identity. Participants consisted of undergraduates who completed the National College Health Assessment III (NCHA III) from Fall 2019 to Spring 2023. The NCHA III assessed loneliness by having students complete the 3-item Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-3). Results indicated a main effect of gender (F(3,123543) = 256.70, p< .001) and race (F(7,122108) = 35.31, p< .001) on loneliness but not an interaction effect. The trend of loneliness exhibited a consistent pattern across all gender and racial groups. Loneliness reached its peak in Spring 2021 and subsequently decreased by Spring 2023, although not returning to the same levels observed in Spring 2019. In summary, while loneliness levels varied among different racial and gender identities, all undergraduates, regardless of race and gender identity, showed similar fluctuations in loneliness during the COVID-19 period.