Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: It is undeniable that COVID-19 has impacted all aspects of college student and family life. However, the posttraumatic growth (PTG) framework suggests there are opportunities for growth after traumatic or highly stressful events. To explore PTG in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study recruited parents of college students (N = 1655) from across the U.S. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that when parents reported that their student experienced more positive impacts of COVID-19 on their relationships and health, received more career support, and when parents reported that their own well-being improved, they were more likely to report that their student experienced PTG. Additionally, parent gender, student first-generation status, and student year in school were also associated with PTG. This is consistent with past research; when parents were well supported during the pandemic, their college students did better and were more likely to uphold academic and graduation plans. Findings underscore the important role of both university resources such as career support, and family resources such as parental well-being in buffering the negative effects of the pandemic and supporting PTG.
Source: Adolescents
Authors: Jodi Dworkin, Ting Xu, Elizabeth Hruska
Institution: University of Minnesota
Language: English
Topic: COVID-19 and Mental Health
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,207
OpenAlex ID: W7128972926
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