The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on University Students in Russia and Other Countries — Comparative Analysis

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, university students appeared as one of the most vulnerable social groups. Researchers registered the pandemic’s impact on mental health, psychological well-being, academic results and social ties. We aimed to consider a broad range of indicators and domains to identify common and specific impacts of the pandemic on university students in different countries using the “International Student Well-Being Survey” data conducted in 25 countries in April-May 2020.

The analysis showed that the impact of the pandemic is multi-dimensional, affecting different aspects of the student’s life. Still, it had the most significant effect on the perception and evaluation of study workload, quality of education, clarity of requirements and expectations of academic tasks, social ties, financial situation and socio-psychological well-being. The impact of the pandemic was not equal for different social groups. In Russia, women were affected stronger than men in psychological well-being, financial impact, housing conditions, and social ties. Women less than men used compensatory practices such as consuming tobacco products or alcohol. The low-income student group was impacted more potent than their more well-off classmates leading to an even further increase of inequality among the student community.

The social impact of the pandemic on students in different countries was similar by type and direction, but the impact’s scope and strength varied. Russia belongs to the group of countries with a relatively modern pandemic effect on student’s life. The analysis of reasons and factors driving cross-national differences in the pandemic impact at the macro cross-national level revealed that the actual epidemiological situation and the duration of the lockdown had a relatively small effect. The most significant factors mitigating the negative social consequences of the pandemic, even under severe epidemiological threats, were trust in government and political institutions, the healthcare system and the general level of psychological well-being in the country.