Factors that Influence USF Student Perceptions’ of Loneliness: What is Making Our Students Lonely?
Mentor Information
Amber Gum (College of Behavioral and Community Sciences)
Description
Loneliness among college students has been an increasing problem over many years due to a variety of factors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of our study was to understand USF students’ perception of loneliness and what factors influence this perception. We conducted an online survey distributed by email to USF Undergraduate and Graduate students who are part of the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. We asked seven questions pertaining to students’ experiences with loneliness and factors contributing to loneliness. Of the 122 students who completed the survey, 99.17% of participants reported loneliness to be an issue among USF students. Additionally, 85.12% of students reported to “strongly agree” that there are increased levels of loneliness present during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, many students indicated specific feelings of words that they may associate with loneliness. In these findings, it was found that many associated words among students correlate with behavioral health disorders and symptoms. It is clear that loneliness among USF students is prevalent at this time, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated with behavioral health. Additional research is needed in assessing the behavioral health impacts that loneliness, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, may be causing among USF students.
Factors that Influence USF Student Perceptions’ of Loneliness: What is Making Our Students Lonely?
Loneliness among college students has been an increasing problem over many years due to a variety of factors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of our study was to understand USF students’ perception of loneliness and what factors influence this perception. We conducted an online survey distributed by email to USF Undergraduate and Graduate students who are part of the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. We asked seven questions pertaining to students’ experiences with loneliness and factors contributing to loneliness. Of the 122 students who completed the survey, 99.17% of participants reported loneliness to be an issue among USF students. Additionally, 85.12% of students reported to “strongly agree” that there are increased levels of loneliness present during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, many students indicated specific feelings of words that they may associate with loneliness. In these findings, it was found that many associated words among students correlate with behavioral health disorders and symptoms. It is clear that loneliness among USF students is prevalent at this time, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated with behavioral health. Additional research is needed in assessing the behavioral health impacts that loneliness, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, may be causing among USF students.
