University employees’ perceptions of health during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

The emergence of the novel coronavirus, or Covid-19, has had a major impact on higher education; however, little attention has been paid to how the virus and lockdown measures instituted to stop its spread have affected the health of faculty and staff. This study employed survey methodology to assess the impact of the coronavirus and ensuing quarantine measures in the US on employees at a private institution in the Mid-Atlantic. A total of N = 129 employees answered questions on self-perceptions of their physical and mental health, and results illustrated a wide range of responses. While some employees reported positive changes, a third struggled with physical activity, eating, sleep habits and weight management, and more than half had greater stress, anxiety and mood difficulties. No differences were found among genders or employment type, but employees ages 65 and older reported significantly greater negative mood change and less healthy eating habits. Colleges and universities should be mindful of the challenges that faculty and staff face during the ongoing pandemic and provide resources and support specifically targeting these groups; in particular, programming encouraging and supporting physical activity behaviours may be especially useful for promoting physical and mental health benefits, reducing risk of illness and preventing chronic burnout.