Increased belongingness among college students during COVID-19: a potential cohort effect?

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). College students (N = 73, mean age = 19.03 years, SD = 1.44 years) enrolled in a life-span development course. Participants completed online surveys at the beginning and the end of the semester assessing change in well-being. 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. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]