Mental Health, Motivation, and Emotions

Abstract

The true impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has yet to be seen. This chapter explores how students did and did not thrive in college as a result of the pandemic's impacts on their mental health. It explores general findings, and then examines the unique experiences of Students of Color, who, in many cases, were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Student participants conveyed that their mental health declined, which resulted in diminishing motivation to complete schoolwork. However, emotional support networks, school resources, and therapeutic outlets assisted some students in overcoming the barriers to success. Although accessing counseling services proved difficult for some students, those who did have access felt these services improved their mental health. The online class format posed many challenges to students' motivation. While videos and taped lectures were easily accessible resources that professors were forced to utilize due to the abrupt shift to online learning, these students' statements illustrate that they were simply no substitute for inperson interactions. While peer interaction can serve as a catalyst to learning, the lack of it during spring 2020 proved an inhibitor to participants' thriving and motivation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)