Examining the Interaction between Online Coursework and Internalized Stigma in Undergraduate Students with Chronic Health Conditions Across 2020, 2021, and 2022
Faculty Mentor
Kevin Criswell
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
10-5-2023 9:00 AM
End Date
10-5-2023 10:45 AM
Location
PUB NCR
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Introduction: Online course enrollment has consistently increased and peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it is possible that less in-person coursework may lead to fewer opportunities for stigmatization, little research examined the relationship between students engaged in online coursework and internalized stigma due to chronic health conditions (CHCs). Our current study addresses this gap in the literature.
Method: Eastern Washington University undergraduate students completed online surveys during the Fall 2020 (n = 217), 2021 (n = 116), and 2022 (n = 85). Surveys included CHC questions, percentage of online coursework, course satisfaction, perceived connection to university, stress, loneliness, and internalized stigma. Pearson correlations addressed relationships between percentage of online coursework and other variables. Multiple regression modeling addressed whether an internalized stigma x online coursework interaction effect predicted levels of course satisfaction, connection to university, stress, and loneliness.
Results: Students reported taking almost all coursework online (97%) during 2020 and less online coursework during 2021 (42%) and 2022 (34%). While greater perceived loneliness was associated with less online coursework during Fall of 2021 (r = -.22) and 2022 (r = -.23), no other significant bivariate relationships were found. A significant interaction effect of internalized stigma x percentage of online coursework was found for course satisfaction during Fall of 2021 and 2022.
Discussion: Contrary to our hypothesis, online coursework did not broadly affect internalized stigma. The unanticipated finding of more in-person coursework being associated with more loneliness across cohorts may warrant future studies on student experiences of in-person courses since the pandemic.
Recommended Citation
Garcia, Laurie; Cortez-Morales, Anthony; and Bruno Aguilar, Betzi, "Examining the Interaction between Online Coursework and Internalized Stigma in Undergraduate Students with Chronic Health Conditions Across 2020, 2021, and 2022" (2023). 2023 Symposium. 3.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2023/res_2023/p1_2023/3
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Examining the Interaction between Online Coursework and Internalized Stigma in Undergraduate Students with Chronic Health Conditions Across 2020, 2021, and 2022
PUB NCR
Introduction: Online course enrollment has consistently increased and peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it is possible that less in-person coursework may lead to fewer opportunities for stigmatization, little research examined the relationship between students engaged in online coursework and internalized stigma due to chronic health conditions (CHCs). Our current study addresses this gap in the literature.
Method: Eastern Washington University undergraduate students completed online surveys during the Fall 2020 (n = 217), 2021 (n = 116), and 2022 (n = 85). Surveys included CHC questions, percentage of online coursework, course satisfaction, perceived connection to university, stress, loneliness, and internalized stigma. Pearson correlations addressed relationships between percentage of online coursework and other variables. Multiple regression modeling addressed whether an internalized stigma x online coursework interaction effect predicted levels of course satisfaction, connection to university, stress, and loneliness.
Results: Students reported taking almost all coursework online (97%) during 2020 and less online coursework during 2021 (42%) and 2022 (34%). While greater perceived loneliness was associated with less online coursework during Fall of 2021 (r = -.22) and 2022 (r = -.23), no other significant bivariate relationships were found. A significant interaction effect of internalized stigma x percentage of online coursework was found for course satisfaction during Fall of 2021 and 2022.
Discussion: Contrary to our hypothesis, online coursework did not broadly affect internalized stigma. The unanticipated finding of more in-person coursework being associated with more loneliness across cohorts may warrant future studies on student experiences of in-person courses since the pandemic.
