Background:

During the COVID-19-pandemic, Sweden introduced voluntary public health recommendations. In addition, Swedish higher education institutions shifted to remote teaching to reduce contagion. For the majority of students, this led to changes relating to several daily behaviors, and study routines, which might impact mental health.

Purpose:

This study investigates compliance with recommendations, COVID-19 symptoms, academic self-efficacy, and mental health in students in higher education in Sweden

Method:

Self-reports were collected through online questionnaires from students at higher education institutions across Sweden (N: 4495; 71% women; mean-age: 26.5 years). These were analyzed using multinomial regressions taking a Bayesian approach.

Results:

Compliance with recommendations ranged from about 70 to 96 percent, with women and older students reporting higher compliance. Most of those with COVID-19 symptoms reported having mild to moderate symptoms (30%). Mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms in significant others were associated with symptoms of contagion but not with study capacity or mental health. In contrast, over 80% reported effects, mainly negative, on both academic self-efficacy and mental health.

Conclusions:

Students largely followed voluntary recommendations, indicating no need of coercive measures. Still, many reported negative effects on academic self-efficacy and mental health thus raising concerns for enduring effects. Digital interventions boosting study skills and mental health could be a key for providing accessible support to all at reasonable costs.