“The ship is sinking, yet the band plays on”: COVID-19 and academia
Alexandra N. Bitter, Sean M. McCrea
Abstract
Objective: Researchers sought to examine experiences of stress, mental health, and work outcomes for those in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: Graduate students and professors completed an online survey in June 2020 (N = 1,794). Methods: Participants completed measures of stress, depression, and anxiety as well as items related to work quality, productivity, and fulfillment. Results: 70% of graduate students reported higher than normal levels of anxiety, depression, and stress according to the DASS-21. Nearly half of professors reported higher than normal levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Multiple linear regression analyses found that higher levels of work fulfillment predicted greater productivity (f2grad = .15; f2prof = .08) and quality of work (f2grad = .10; f2prof = .12). Conclusions: Individuals in higher education are struggling with their mental health and considerations need to be made to help this group. Additionally, we discuss the implications of self-determination theory on work fulfillment.