COVID-19, Meaning and Mental Health in Higher Education: An International Comparison

Abstract The impact of the COVID -19 pandemic is studied among Dutch and German university students and staff, at the inception of the pandemic in April 2020. The effects of conditions of study and work are studied on mental health, while taking into account the adaptive function of meaning and controlling for relevant demographic characteristics. Results indicate that negative experiences of study and work affect various dimensions of mental health and differ for Dutch and German university contexts. Meaning acts as a resource for mental health, especially regarding dimensions of meaningfulness and trust. Programs for university care are called for in which the insights of this study are taken into account.