SOME ASPECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING IN STUDENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between certain socio-demographic characteristics (gender, year of study), loneliness, personality traits (extraversion, neuroticism, openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness) and certain aspects of students' psychological functioning (depression, anxiety, stress, life satisfaction) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the study aimed to identify differences in certain aspects of mental health between male and female students and between students in lower and higher years of study. The study comprised 712 participants, including 563 female and 149 male students. The proportion of first-year students was 27.6%, the proportion of second-year students was 17.8%, the proportion of third-year students was 19.3%, the proportion of fourth-year students was 13% and the proportion of fifth-year students was 19.7%. The survey was conducted in June 2021 using an online questionnaire. The results show that female students have higher levels of anxiety and stress, while male students report higher levels of loneliness. In addition, students in lower years of study reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress and loneliness, while students in higher years of study reported higher levels of life satisfaction. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between neuroticism and loneliness with measures of mental health (depression, anxiety and stress), while a negative correlation was observed with life satisfaction. Extraversion and conscientiousness showed a significant negative correlation with measures of mental health and a positive correlation with life satisfaction. In addition, openness was negatively correlated with stress and agreeableness was negatively correlated with depression. As the study found significant differences in the determinants of mental health between lower and upper year students, it is important to ensure the availability of professional support for all students, especially lower year students who are still adjusting to the new living conditions. These findings suggest that strategic priorities need to be set across universities to protect and actively promote students' mental health.