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Darielle Brooks

Department of Social Sciences, Allen University

Social Statistics

March 10, 2022

Covid-19 Mandates

Abstract 

​Covid-19 mandates, including face masking, testing, and vaccinations, have resulted in significant psychological implications among individuals. Among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) students, psychological distress like stress, anxiety, frustration, and depression led to increased alcohol and other substance use, abuse, and addiction. This study sought to establish the relationship between Covid-19 mandates and increased alcohol and other substance use, abuse, and addiction among HBCU students. The hypothesis for the study entails that Covid-19 mandates increase the use of alcohol and other substance use, abuse, and addiction among HBCU students. The Self-Medication Theory comprised the primary application model to confirm this hypothesis. The study used a correlational research design, and data was collected using questionnaires. It also utilized simple random sampling and a sample size of 100 participants. Data was analyzed quantitatively using SPSS. The findings confirmed the hypothesis. It revealed that Covid-19 mandates result in psychological distress or mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, frustration, and depression among HBCU students. It showed a positive correlation between Covid-19 mandates and increase in alcohol and other substance use, abuse, and addiction among HBCU students. As the students became anxious, stressed, frustrated, and depressed because of the forced masking, testing, and vaccination, they resorted to drinking and substance abuse to address the negative emotions as per the self-medication theory. They did this to cope with the negative feelings. The study concluded that Covid-19 mandates result in psychological distress, which increases alcohol and other substance use, abuse, and addiction among HBCU students.   

Key Words:  Covid-19, mandates, psychological distress, substance use, coping.