1. Increased Belongingness among College Students during COVID-19: A Potential Cohort Effect?
- Author
-
Allyson S. Graf and Callie N. Bolling
- Abstract
Objective: Speculation about the effects of COVID-19, especially on youth social development, has been mixed. This study aimed to examine change in loneliness and belongingness into the first month of stay-at-home orders (January through April 2020). Participants: College students (N = 73, mean age = 19.03 years, SD = 1.44 years) enrolled in a life-span development course. Methods: Participants completed online surveys at the beginning and the end of the semester assessing change in well-being. Results: Results revealed that loneliness scores significantly decreased, and belongingness scores significantly increased from Time 1 to Time 2. Among those who experienced increased belongingness, loneliness significantly decreased while there was not a significant change in loneliness among those who decreased in belongingness. Conclusions: These findings suggest that increasing belongingness should be a focus when trying to combat loneliness, especially in young adults experiencing a dramatic life event during a critical time for social development.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF