The Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 Stress on Mental Health and Identity Among College Students

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic had widespread psychological effects, prompting research into long-term impacts on mental health and identity development. This retrospective study examined how pandemic-related stress affected obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCS) and generalized anxiety symptoms across three timepoints, prior to the pandemic (2019–February 2020), during the height of the pandemic (March 2020–2022), and the present (within the past month), and how changes in these symptoms relates to identity. The sample consisted of undergraduate students (N = 476) who completed an anonymous online survey battery. Indices of psychological “damage” and “recovery” showed although OCS levels returned to baseline in the current period, anxiety levels remained elevated. COVID-related stress predicted higher OCS and anxiety symptoms across timepoints. Greater symptom damage was associated with more identity disturbance, while recovery from anxiety was related to reduced identity disturbance. Recovery from OCS was uniquely related to higher identity consolidation. These findings suggest the psychological toll of the pandemic extends beyond clinical symptoms, impacting foundations of identity. Although some psychological recovery has occurred, lingering anxiety symptoms may continue to affect developmental outcomes. Further research is needed to understand mechanisms that support long-term recovery and identity formation in the wake of large-scale stressors like the COVID-19 pandemic.