Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 5-6-2026

Faculty Advisor(s)

Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-MacPhail

Abstract

A lesser-known impact of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is the impairment of cognitive functioning among seemingly unsusceptible, healthy, and young populations. Research suggests that the circumstances of extreme social isolation, incited by the pandemic, have had significantly negative effects across various social, cognitive, and psychological dimensions, with a specific focus on adolescents who are at a unique and more extreme risk than adults and children. By applying the cognitive load theory (CLT) to the COVID-19 quarantine landscape, this study measured the effects of the COVID-19 quarantine on cognitive functioning among those who were adolescents and young adults at the time of quarantine, moderated by mental health history, personality, and resilience. These variables were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale, the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire 2.0, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, the Big Five Inventory-2, and the 10-item Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale. With the use of correlational and moderation analysis using multiple linear regression, the study found a significant negative correlation between self-reported self and cognitive functioning, though none of the moderators significantly predicted lower cognitive functioning. Nevertheless, support for the first hypothesis should encourage researchers, educators, and government officials to reconsider the current understandings of human development, the structure of schools, and policies that must differ from those of a pre-COVID-19 era. Furthermore, highlighting the evidence-backed struggles of adolescents and young adults should spur research and attention to the various effects on their present and future potential.

Comments

Presented at the Spring 2026 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.

This scholarship is part of the Chapman University COVID-19 Archives.

Download

Share

COinS