Adaptability Protects University Students From Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia During Remote Learning: A Three-Wave...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented stressors for university students.
• The impact of pre-existing adaptability on student mental and sleep health during the pandemic remains under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal relationship between students' adaptability and their subsequent anxiety, depression, and insomnia during and after the COVID-19 lockdown.
• To explore the mediating roles of anxiety and depression in the link between adaptability and insomnia.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study involving 5,235 university students across three time points.
• Data collection included the Adaptability Scale, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), SCL-90 (Anxiety and Depression subscales), and SAS/SDS.
• Statistical analyses examined correlations and mediation effects.

Main Results:

• Adaptability was significantly negatively correlated with anxiety and depression.
• Anxiety and depression were positively correlated with insomnia.
• Adaptability demonstrated a protective effect against insomnia, both directly and indirectly through reduced anxiety and depression.

Conclusions:

• Student adaptability is a crucial factor in mitigating negative mental and sleep health outcomes during stressful periods like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Interventions aimed at enhancing student adaptability and reducing anxiety/depression may improve sleep health during crises.