Loneliness, social isolation, and psychological well-being among college students after the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a worldwide health emergency, drawing attention for its physical, psychological, social and economic consequences. Social distancing and home confinement, while essential in preventing contagion, have had a great impact on people’s mental health and well-being. Previous studies have shown that during the pandemic there has been an increase in loneliness, stress and psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, especially among young adults. College students have been identified as a vulnerable population, since they experienced sudden changes in their daily life, social isolation and uncertainties about the future. Among college students, international students in particular found themselves facing greater challenges such as being away from family, accessing healthcare in a foreign country and missing chances of interaction with peers; this experience has led to an increase in social isolation, loneliness and anxiety. The aim of the present work was to explore the psychosocial well-being, social habits and quality of life of college students at the University of Padua, with a main focus on their experiences during the academic year 2021/2022. Data were collected through an online survey created ad hoc by researchers to assess general well-being, perceived social support, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and the perceived impact of the pandemic on quality of life. The survey was composed by the following clinical instruments: MSPSS, GAD-7, PHQ-9, ULS-6, SWLS and the COV-QoL. The peculiarity of this research lies in the comparison between international and Italian students, in order to investigate whether there was a difference in their well-being, loneliness and perceived social support, and in the way the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their quality of life.