Finding Strength Amidst the Crisis: Student Parent Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to college students, with students who are parents at risk for amplified difficulties due to the dual responsibilities of parenting and pursuing higher education, but there are few studies that compare the experiences of student parents with non-parenting college students. This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional approach to compare the needs, concerns, and resources of student parents (n = 167) to those of non-parent students (n = 617) at a mid-sized public university in the Gulf South. Data were collected during the Spring 2021 semester using the Higher Education Student and Student Parent Survey (HESSPS). Overall, a greater proportion of student-parents reported resource awareness, receiving social support, and positive experiences with the pandemic compared to non-parent students; significantly more non-parent students reported financial insecurity, academic difficulties, psychosocial and emotional health issues, and negative pandemic-related experiences. However, when the two groups were divided by age (<25 vs >=25 years), older student parents retained the highest proportion reporting social support and positive pandemic experiences and also had lowest proportion reporting academic difficulties. In contrast, young student parents had the greatest proportion reporting academic difficulties and financial and housing insecurity. Recognizing the heterogeneity of student parents, including their strengths in times of crisis, is critical for addressing equity gaps in higher education and for informing targeted policies and resources so these under-recognized students can accomplish their educational and family goals.