Date

12-16-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Laura B Beiler

Keywords

COVID-19 Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) pandemic college students social distancing

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

This phenomenological study aimed to explore the impact the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023) had on college students diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Guided by Lazarus and Folkman’s (1984) Stress and Coping Theory, this study explored how participants perceived and coped with the difficulties they experienced during this difficult period. Data was gathered through Zoom interviews with six former students with a clinical diagnosis of social anxiety disorder.. Participants’ experiences collectively reflected persistent psychological decline, characterized by long-term worsening of symptoms and a lasting psychological impact marked by the exacerbation of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Isolation and disconnection stemming from limited social contact compounded participants’ distress, while disruption of therapeutic and. support systems further hindered recovery. Many described coping fluidity and regression, as avoidance and altered coping strategies often led to setbacks and feelings of “starting over” once reintegration began. Ultimately, reintegration anxiety and adjustment struggles combined with academic and functional stressors demonstrated that participants’ adaptive responses were fluid and shaped by ongoing post-pandemic challenges. Overall, these findings contribute to the existing body of literature by deepening the understanding of how college students’ coping processes and social functioning evolved throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, offering valuable insights into the long-term psychological and educational implications of global crisis.

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