Revisiting Care in Higher Education: A Post-COVID Discussion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33423/s14hnh87Keywords:
higher education, care, ethic of care, COVID-19 pandemicAbstract
While care in higher education is not commonly discussed, the COVID-19 pandemic has placed a spotlight on why tertiary institutions must reevaluate their policies, practices, and support systems to better meet students' needs. Research conducted during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a rise in mental health issues, feelings of isolation, insecurities related to employment, housing, and food, as well as grief associated with losses amongst college and university students. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, its impacts on college and university students continue to shape higher education. This discussion explores why caring in higher education matters more than ever and why post-secondary institutions must be intentional about embedding structures of care to support student learning and well-being.
References
Baker, S., & Burke, R. (2023). Questioning care in higher education: Resisting definitions as radical. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41829-7
Buizza, C., Bazzoli, L., & Ghilardi, A. (2022). Changes in College Students Mental Health and Lifestyle During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies. Adolescent Research Review, 7(4), 537–550. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894022-00192-7
Chautrakarn, S., Jaiprom, E., & Ong-Artborirak, P. (2024). Mental health and sleep in the post-COVID-19 era among Thai undergraduate students. Scientific Reports, 14, 26584. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78559-0
Doka, K.J. (2002). Introduction (Chapter 1). In K.J. Doka (Ed.), Disenfranchised grief: New directions, challenges, and strategies for practice (pp. 5–22)
Giovenco, D., Shook-Sa, B.E., Hutson, B., Buchanan, L., Fisher, E.B., & Pettifor, A. (2022). Social isolation and psychological distress among southern U.S. college students in the era of COVID-19. PLOS ONE, 17(12), e0279485. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279485
Horigian, V.E., Schmidt, R.D., & Feaster, D.J. (2021). Loneliness, Mental Health, and Substance Use among US Young Adults during COVID-19. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 53(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2020.1836435
Jones, H.E., Manze, M., Ngo, V., Lamberson, P., & Freudenberg, N. (2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students’ health and financial stability in New York City: Findings from a population-based sample of City University of New York (CUNY) students. Journal of Urban Health, 98(2), 187–196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-020-00506-x
Keeling, R.P. (2014). An ethic of care in higher education: Well-being and learning. Journal of College and Character, 15(3), 141–148. https://doi.org/10.1515/jcc-2014-0018
Leontopoulou, S. (2023). Aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: Resilience and mental health of emerging adult university students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(20), 6911. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206911
Li, J., Xue, E., Liu, B., & Han, Q. (2024). Impact of COVID-19 on the psychological and behavioral health of college students worldwide: A knowledge mapping approach. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, 1353. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03781-0
Nyunt, G., McMillen, J., Oplt, K., & Beckham, V. (2023). Students’ mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring ways institutions can foster undergraduate students’ mental well-being. Journal of Student Affairs Inquiry, Innovation, and Impact, 3(1), 71– 99. https://doi.org/10.18060/27926
Purcell, W.M., & Lumbreras, J. (2021). Higher education and the COVID-19 pandemic: Navigating disruption using the sustainable development goals. Discover Sustainability, 2(1), Article 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-021-00013-2
Sahay, S., Vargas, C.F.A., Hoar, S.C., Choi, J., & O’Donovan, S.M. (2024). The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among college students in the United States. Translation:The University of Toledo Journal of Medical Sciences, 12(5), e1–e13. https://doi.org/10.46570/utjms.vol12-2024-1280
Sarker, R., Roknuzzaman, A.S.M., Nazmunnahar, S.M., Hossain, M.J., & Islam, M.R. (2023). The WHO has declared the end of pandemic phase of COVID-19: Way to come back in the normal life. Health Science Reports, 6(9), e1544. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1544
Sirrine, E.H., Kliner, O., & Gollery, T.J. (2021). College student experiences of grief and loss amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, 87(3), 745–764. https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228211027461
Strachan, S.L. (2020). The case for the caring instructor. College Teaching, 68(2), 53–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/87567555.2019.1711011
United Nations. (2023, May 5). WHO chief declares end to COVID-19 as a global health emergency. UN News. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/05/1136367