Psychological well-being, stressors, coping strategies and support of undergraduate healthcare students amid COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Students function better academically when psychologically well. The COVID-19 pandemic proved a new challenge to the mental wellness of undergraduate healthcare students. Students were not only faced with academic changes but also had to complete clinical practice in healthcare facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim: This study investigated the psychological well-being, stressors, coping strategies and support of undergraduate healthcare students amid COVID-19.

Setting: A South African university’s faculty of health sciences.

Methods: A survey design through a cross-sectional descriptive approach was used to collect data from the population of 1529 undergraduate healthcare students. One hundred and ninety-six (n = 196) students responded to the online survey.

Results: Participants reported a variety of stressors influencing their psychological well-being. Participants chose mostly adaptive coping strategies to deal with stressors. They gave feedback on the support they received from the faculty and institution. Most of the participants indicated they prefer weekly online communication from the higher education institution.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the psychological well-being of undergraduate healthcare students. The psychological well-being of these students is a collective responsibility between students and higher education institutions to enable academic success and positive patient outcomes.

Contribution: This study found that undergraduate healthcare students had academic, psychological, financial and other stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher education institutions, especially those involved in training undergraduate healthcare professionals, in collaboration with students, need to provide students with targeted continued support and training to use healthy coping behaviours to manage various stressors.