The New Normal: Amotivation, Sense of Purpose, and Associated Factors Among College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study examines differences in college students’ responses to COVID-19-related stress over time, beginning in fall 2019 before the pandemic and continuing through fall 2022. A total of 957 students completed measures of motivation, sense of purpose, academic adjustment, grit, and COVID-related stress across 7 semesters. Results indicated that motivation stayed steady throughout much of the pandemic as compared to the fall 2019 semester, with the exception of the spring 2022 semester. Academic adjustment, grit, and sense of purpose all fluctuated during the pandemic. After the onset of COVID-19, students reported high levels of stress and reported that they were experiencing higher than usual levels of stress. However, as the pandemic continued, students continued to report high stress levels, but no longer reported that the stress was unusual. That is, over time, high levels of stress and anxiety related to COVID-19 became viewed as normal. This pattern of results suggests that the student response to the pandemic has differed over time and, since COVID-19 remains prevalent, highlights the need for colleges to continue to be prepared to address students’ COVID-related adjustment and well-being.