Changes in Study Approaches, Self-efficacy, and Mental Health in Allied Healthcare Students during the COVID-19 Crisis

Elaina J. DaLomba, Samuel Merritt UniversityFollow
Tore Bonsaksen, Inland Norway University of Applied SciencesFollow
Mary Jan Greer, University of Saint AugustineFollow
Saji Mansur, City of San Francisco Department of Public HealthFollow

Document Type (Journals)

Original Research

Abstract

There is growing concern about student mental health, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. Mental health factors impact self-efficacy and study behaviors, thus there is a need to explore changes in these factors during the pandemic. The aim of this study was to explore changes in allied healthcare students’ approaches to studying, self-efficacy and positive mental health before and during the COVID-19 crisis. The Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students, General Self-efficacy scale, Mental Health Continuum – Short Form were given to graduate students (n=26) prior to, and one year into the pandemic. Repeated measures analyses of variance were performed. General self-efficacy scores increased with large effect size, while no significant change pattern was observed for mental health scores. The decrease in strategic study approach scores had a large effect size. The changes in deep and surface study approach scores across time were not statistically significant. While students sustained their mental health and increased their self-efficacy, students may benefit from assistance in organizing daily academic routines and fostering community support during times of crisis.

Biography

Elaina DaLomba, PhD, OTR/L, MSW is Associate Professor at Samuel Merritt University, Oakland, CA.

Tore Bonsaksen, BSc., OT is Professor of Mental Health at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway.

Mary Jan Greer, PhD, OTR is Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, University of St. Augustine, Dallas, TX.

Saji Mansur, MPH is Community Health Specialist with the City of San Francisco's Dept of Public Health.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Recommended Citation

DaLomba, E. J., Bonsaksen, T., Greer, M., & Mansur, S. (2022). Changes in Study Approaches, Self-efficacy, and Mental Health in Allied Healthcare Students during the COVID-19 Crisis. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 6 (2). https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2022.060206