'I HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE RIGHT MIND': THE EXPERIENCES OF FIRST-GENERATION AND CONTINUING-GENERATION UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Explored the experiences of public university students (N = 1,573) in five domains (e.g., mental health, remote learning) during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether these experiences differed as a function of college generation status. Mental health challenges were observed, with first-generation students reporting higher depression, anxiety, and pandemic-related stress than continuing-generation students. One-fourth of students reported suicidal ideation/suicide attempts since the start of the pandemic, but few (15%; fewer first- than continuing-generation) had accessed mental health services. Other common stressors included having to self-isolate due to exposure to, living with someone who tested positive for, and having been diagnosed with, COVID-19. Disruptions in social connection were prevalent. Students reported limited access to various social supports, feeling isolated, and having endured close relationship losses. Remote learning challenges included having to share devices, lacking reliable Internet and dedicated home learning spaces, and being disturbed by others at home (more first- than continuing-generation students). The pandemic has widened the divide between first- and continuing-generation students and has exacerbated the challenges faced by all students (and created new ones). Identifying these challenges is an essential first step toward developing methods for enhancing student well-being in the higher education 'new normal.' KEYWORDS: COVID-19, pandemic, mental health, first-generation students, social connection
'Hello professor, these last two days we have been dealing with my niece in the hospital with covid [sic] and she has pneumonia at the same time and she's been [...]