COVID-19 related stress and COVID-19 related self-efficacy: Their relationships to student mental health and well-being in university students in Hong Kong

Background: While the COVID-19 pandemic represents a significant challenge to mental health and well-being of the general public, there is limited research in this area in university students in Hong Kong. As a highly vulnerable group under the pandemic due to different challenges encountered, university students have increased risk for mental health problems. While researchers have identified different risk factors of mental health and well-being problems of university students under the pandemic, there is inadequate research on the role of COVID-19 related stresses, such as worries related to danger and contamination of virus, as well as socio-economic consequences of the pandemic. In addition, it is important to identify the pandemic related protective factors in student well-being, particularly the protective effect of COVID-19 self-efficacy. As a positive self-belief variable, higher self-efficacy may help reduce the risk for mental health problems and enhance well-being under the pandemic. Therefore, we have conducted a study investigating the predictive effects of COVID-19 related stress and self-efficacy on mental health and well-being of university students in Hong Kong under the pandemic.

Methods: Data were collected between July and August 2022. Based on quota sampling, undergraduate students from a public university in Hong Kong were recruited and they responded to an online questionnaire. A total of 978 students completed the questionnaire. While student negative mental health was indexed by depression, anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress, suicidal behavior, internet addiction, and hopelessness, life satisfaction and flourishing were indicators of their well-being. Besides, their COVID-19 related stresses (i.e., danger and contamination, socio-economic consequences, and checking behavior) and COVID-19 related self-efficacy were assessed. Structural equation modelling was conducted using MPLUS to examine the predictive effects of the three dimensions of COVID-19 related stress and COVID-19 related self-efficacy on student negative mental health and well-being.

Findings: Results from the structural equation modelling showed desirable model fit. For predictors of negative mental health, two stress factors (socio-economic consequences and checking behavior) positively predicted negative mental health, while COVID-19 self-efficacy negatively predicted negative mental health. For life satisfaction, danger and contamination stress negatively predicted life satisfaction while COVID-19 self-efficacy positively predicted life satisfaction. In addition, socio-economic consequences of COVID-19 negatively predicted flourishing while COVID-19 self-efficacy positively predicted flourishing.

Discussion: The present study suggests that COVID-19 related stresses are risk factors for student mental health and well-being. On the other hand, COVID-19 self-efficacy serves as a protective factor for student mental health and well-being. These findings contribute to the scientific literature on COVID-19, particularly in the Chinese context. Practically, university administrators should devise ways to help students cope with the COVID-19 related stresses and strengthen their COVID-19 related self-efficacy.