TY - JOUR
T1 - “Trying to be positive in the face of the storm”
T2 - The experiences of independent college students during the COVID-19 pandemic
AU - Sapiro, Beth
AU - Shpiegel, Svetlana
AU - Ventola, Marissa
AU - Quiroz, Silvia Ramirez
AU - Nwankwo, Oomi Helen
AU - Munyereyi, Tariro
N1 - Funding Information:
Gratitude was a theme in nearly half ( = 10) of the students interviewed. Participants expressed gratitude for financial assistance they received during the pandemic, either in the form of government assistance or assistance through the campus support programme. Some described this as a “silver lining” of the pandemic, like Mateo (age 21, FC), who said, “I guess you can count the stimulus checks as part of that silver lining, you know free money from the government never hurts.” Participants also expressed gratitude for avoiding worse outcomes during the pandemic. Gabriela (age 20, IS), reported, “I was lucky that nobody got sick in, like, the craziest times … I did have family that got sick later but it wasn't, you know, luckily they're fine now.” Similarly, Tiana (age 23, IS), reported: n
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - The COVID-19 pandemic created multiple stressors for college students, particularly for young adults experiencing multiple forms of disadvantage. Little is known about the pandemic experiences of independent college students, many of whom are emancipated minors, former wards of the state, and other students who lack familial financial and practical support as they pursue higher education. Twenty-three independent students, ages 18–23, from one northeastern university were interviewed to understand how independent students were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and their needs for support from the university during this time. Most participants were identified as Black or Latinx, and two thirds were first-generation college students. Participants reported an overall lack of support from their families prior to the pandemic. During the pandemic, they experienced compounding academic, economic, and mental health-related stressors. Students responded to these stressors in resilient and resourceful ways, by adapting to their new realities, expressing gratitude, and finding opportunities for self-growth. Participants recommend that institutions of higher education support independent students during periods of emergency through providing financial assistance, offering opportunities for connection with both adults and peers, and demonstrating administrative flexibility and understanding of their unique needs.
AB - The COVID-19 pandemic created multiple stressors for college students, particularly for young adults experiencing multiple forms of disadvantage. Little is known about the pandemic experiences of independent college students, many of whom are emancipated minors, former wards of the state, and other students who lack familial financial and practical support as they pursue higher education. Twenty-three independent students, ages 18–23, from one northeastern university were interviewed to understand how independent students were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and their needs for support from the university during this time. Most participants were identified as Black or Latinx, and two thirds were first-generation college students. Participants reported an overall lack of support from their families prior to the pandemic. During the pandemic, they experienced compounding academic, economic, and mental health-related stressors. Students responded to these stressors in resilient and resourceful ways, by adapting to their new realities, expressing gratitude, and finding opportunities for self-growth. Participants recommend that institutions of higher education support independent students during periods of emergency through providing financial assistance, offering opportunities for connection with both adults and peers, and demonstrating administrative flexibility and understanding of their unique needs.
KW - college students
KW - COVID-19
KW - foster care alumni
KW - independent students
KW - pandemic
KW - postsecondary education
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85143211637&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/cfs.12983
DO - 10.1111/cfs.12983
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85143211637
SN - 1356-7500
JO - Child and Family Social Work
JF - Child and Family Social Work
ER -