Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

July 24, 2020

Students under Lockdown: Comparisons of Students’ Social Networks and Mental Health before and during the COVID-19 Crisis in Switzerland

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  • An analysis of longitudinally collected social network parameters and mental health outcomes among two cohorts (n=212 and n=57) of Swiss undergraduate students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic found that social networks were sparser during the pandemic and students were more likely to study in isolation; however friendship and social support networks did not differ significantly between the two periods. Stronger social ties were more likely to be maintained but there was an increasing number of isolated individuals. Students were on average more depressed, slightly more anxious, more stressed, and felt more lonely during the pandemic compared to half a year earlier. Some students reported that the crisis situation affected their lives positively by reducing “Fear of Missing Out” and competition among the students.  

Elmer et al. (2020). Students under Lockdown: Comparisons of Students’ Social Networks and Mental Health before and during the COVID-19 Crisis in Switzerland. PloS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236337