The latest research published by Joanne Lusher, Professor at Regent’s University London, studies the Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ sleep patterns, sexual activity, screen use, and food intake.
This global cross-sectional study surveyed over 17,000 participants, ages 18 and over, of which 3,793 were students. The study was conducted in the second half of 2020 using multiple social media platforms to recruit participants.
The study found that students displayed higher risk of experiencing changes in sleep, sexual behaviour, and screen use during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has the potential to lead to broader adverse effects on students’ overall wellbeing.
The findings and implications raise further obligations on the education sector to put extra-curricular support systems in place that address COVID-19 related behaviour changes, that have the potential to adversely impact students’ wellbeing.
Professor Lusher comments: ‘Student wellbeing during the pandemic is a global concern for higher education institutions, and this study aimed to understand some of the issues that students are facing during this challenging period. We hope this new information will lead to more informed and tailored strategies that can better support students' individual concerns.’
Read the full study here.