Anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and mindfulness among higher education faculty during covid-19
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
1-1-2020
Abstract
Objective: In this paper, we examine the relationships among symptoms of anxiety and depres-sion, impulsivity, and mindfulness among university faculty members during the COVID-19 pan-demic, with a unique focus on whether these symptoms and practices of mindfulness differed with age, gender, ethnicity, and location. Methods: Participants (N = 302) from 2 universities completed online questionnaires pertaining to anxiety, depression, mindfulness, demographics, and impul-sivity. Results: Lower mindfulness and greater impulsivity were associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression. Gender differences emerged; female participants experienced greater anxiety, less mindfulness, and worsened eating and sleeping habits compared to males. Individuals with direct COVID-19 experience (self-and/or family) did not report significantly different levels of anxiety, depression, mindfulness, or impulsivity. Ethnicity differences also emerged; relative to white participants, non-white participants had significantly worsened exercise habits, and non-Latinx/Hispanic participants endorsed worsened alcohol and marijuana use than Latinx/Hispanic participants. Finally, participants who reported having at least one mental health diagnosis (N = 41) reported significantly higher anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and marijuana use, lower levels of mindfulness, and worsened eating habits. Conclusions: The findings highlight the relationship between college faculty mental health and lifestyle habits, differences based on gender and eth-nicity, and elucidate the ongoing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Health Behavior and Policy Review
Volume
7
Issue
6
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Weyandt, Lisa L., Alyssa Francis, Emily Shepard, Bergljót G. Gudmundsdóttir, Isabella Channell, Avery Beatty, and George J. Dupaul. "Anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and mindfulness among higher education faculty during covid-19." Health Behavior and Policy Review 7, 6 (2020): 532-545. doi: 10.14485/HBPR.7.6.3.