Wellbeing Perceptions of Speech and Language Therapy College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Self-perceived health studies are relevant because of their clinical utility, as well as in research. Subjective wellbeing refers to cognitive or affective evaluations that people do about physical, psychological or social experiences perceived as important for each step of the vital cycle. Since wellbeing perceptions are determined by individual and contextual characteristics, it is intriguing to analyze them in Health Sciences college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A qualitative, exploratory and projective study was designed with the aim of inquire into the perceptions of Speech and Language Therapy college students about their wellbeing experiences.  Advanced students were invited to participate using non probabilistic sampling techniques (Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina, 2021 april-may). 62 students answered virtually an open question about recent wellbeing sensations or feelings. Codes and themes were derived from the discursive material and were interpreted according to health conceptual frames. Data collection was conducted using LimeSurvey (3rd version) and Atlas-Ti was used for the data analysis. There was no conflict of interest or ethical risk.

The themes conceived were: affection and joy due to interacting with others; satisfaction for social acceptance; joy and satisfaction for personal growth; tranquility and affective balance; vitality and satisfaction during recreation. Individual and environmental characteristics were recurring in positive cognitive-affective evaluations of physical, psychological, spiritual, relational and social experiences. To hug the family,  partner and friends, commensality situations “in the valley of the pandemic” and virtual communication were emergent issues.

Wellbeing perceptions refered to the satisfaction of psychosocial needs, which is interesting given the sociohistoric context when these conclusions were drawn. Further research is needed to make the outlined interpretations more complex.