ERIC Number: EJ1367438
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0309-877X
EISSN: EISSN-1469-9486
Available Date: N/A
Predicting Student Mental Wellbeing and Loneliness and the Importance of Digital Skills
Dinu, Larisa M.; Byrom, Nicola C.; Mehta, Kosha J.; Everett, Sally; Foster, Juliet L.H.; Dommett, Eleanor J.
Journal of Further and Higher Education, v46 n8 p1040-1053 2022
COVID-19 forced a rapid migration to online education and many institutions will continue with some online education post-pandemic. Here, we examined digital capabilities, measuring abilities and confidence, which are critical for online learning. We also examined social identity and connectedness which may be impacted by online study and considered whether these factors, along with digital capabilities, predict variance in student mental wellbeing and loneliness. Data were collected from 417 students at a large London university during the first UK lockdown. Students showed high digital abilities and confidence but there were individual differences in some digital domains determined, in part, by demographic and study factors. A significant proportion of variance in loneliness ratings could be explained by demographic factors, connection to the university and digital confidence. Significant predictors of wellbeing included loneliness, digital confidence, connectedness, social identity and a suitable study space. Based on these results we suggest that universities should consider how to improve digital confidence and ensure access to study spaces to support students in future online learning.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Students, Digital Literacy, Self Esteem, Technological Literacy, Computer Literacy, Identification (Psychology), Interpersonal Relationship, Mental Health, Well Being, Psychological Patterns, Social Isolation, Educational Environment, Space Utilization
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (London)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A