Determinants of the mental health status of university students in Japan: comparison between pandemic and recession periods during the 7th wave of COVID-19

IntroductionAlthough the number of identified coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and deaths has decreased, the repetitive crest-trough pattern of the spread of COVID-19 has yet to cease. The current situation may affect the mental health status of university students who are distracted in their academic and daily lives by the pandemic. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the determinant factors of the mental health status of Japanese university students before and in the middle of the 7th wave of the pandemic, one of the largest waves to be experienced in Japan. MethodA survey was administered to two groups of students during the recession period between the 6th and 7th waves (n = 156) and during the 7th wave of the pandemic (n = 97). ResultsT-tests showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores, while the COVID-19 anxiety scores (p