The
COVID-19
pandemic
has
exacerbated
challenges
for
millions
of
students
globally,
leading
to
enrollment
cliff.
This
study
addresses
the
existing
research
gap
by
investigating
influence
students’
mental
health
and
various
protective
factors
(i.e.,
optimism,
help-seeking
behaviors,
social
support)
on
academic
persistence,
an
indicator
student
retention.
We
utilized
structural
equation
modeling
approach
examine
effect
conditions,
risk
perception
persistence
through
a
sample
1,051
from
45
states.
Students’
positively
predicted
persistence.
Risk
was
negatively
associated
with
but
behaviors.
Optimism
fully
mediated
behaviors
did
not
mediate
Social
support
underscores
integral
role
in
supporting
Universities
should
develop
targeted
programs
address
needs
promote
These
initiatives
can
enhance
thereby
aiding
retention
affected
this
or
any
future
global
crisis.
The
COVID-19
pandemic
has
exacerbated
challenges
for
millions
of
students
globally,
leading
to
enrollment
cliff.
This
study
addresses
the
existing
research
gap
by
investigating
influence
students’
mental
health
and
various
protective
factors
(i.e.,
optimism,
help-seeking
behaviors,
social
support)
on
academic
persistence,
an
indicator
student
retention.
We
utilized
structural
equation
modeling
approach
examine
effect
conditions,
risk
perception
persistence
through
a
sample
1,051
from
45
states.
Students’
positively
predicted
persistence.
Risk
was
negatively
associated
with
but
behaviors.
Optimism
fully
mediated
behaviors
did
not
mediate
Social
support
underscores
integral
role
in
supporting
Universities
should
develop
targeted
programs
address
needs
promote
These
initiatives
can
enhance
thereby
aiding
retention
affected
this
or
any
future
global
crisis.
The
COVID-19
pandemic
has
exacerbated
challenges
for
millions
of
students
globally,
leading
to
enrollment
cliff.
This
study
addresses
the
existing
research
gap
by
investigating
influence
students’
mental
health
and
various
protective
factors
(i.e.,
optimism,
help-seeking
behaviors,
social
support)
on
academic
persistence,
an
indicator
student
retention.
We
utilized
structural
equation
modeling
approach
examine
effect
conditions,
risk
perception
persistence
through
a
sample
1,051
from
45
states.
Students’
positively
predicted
persistence.
Risk
was
negatively
associated
with
but
behaviors.
Optimism
fully
mediated
behaviors
did
not
mediate
Social
support
underscores
integral
role
in
supporting
Universities
should
develop
targeted
programs
address
needs
promote
These
initiatives
can
enhance
thereby
aiding
retention
affected
this
or
any
future
global
crisis.
The
COVID-19
pandemic
has
exacerbated
challenges
for
millions
of
students
globally,
leading
to
enrollment
cliff.
This
study
addresses
the
existing
research
gap
by
investigating
influence
students’
mental
health
and
various
protective
factors
(i.e.,
optimism,
help-seeking
behaviors,
social
support)
on
academic
persistence,
an
indicator
student
retention.
We
utilized
structural
equation
modeling
approach
examine
effect
conditions,
risk
perception
persistence
through
a
sample
1,051
from
45
states.
Students’
positively
predicted
persistence.
Risk
was
negatively
associated
with
but
behaviors.
Optimism
fully
mediated
behaviors
did
not
mediate
Social
support
underscores
integral
role
in
supporting
Universities
should
develop
targeted
programs
address
needs
promote
These
initiatives
can
enhance
thereby
aiding
retention
affected
this
or
any
future
global
crisis.
The
COVID-19
pandemic
has
exacerbated
challenges
for
millions
of
students
globally,
leading
to
enrollment
cliff.
This
study
addresses
the
existing
research
gap
by
investigating
influence
students’
mental
health
and
various
protective
factors
(i.e.,
optimism,
help-seeking
behaviors,
social
support)
on
academic
persistence,
an
indicator
student
retention.
We
utilized
structural
equation
modeling
approach
examine
effect
conditions,
risk
perception
persistence
through
a
sample
1,051
from
45
states.
Students’
positively
predicted
persistence.
Risk
was
negatively
associated
with
but
behaviors.
Optimism
fully
mediated
behaviors
did
not
mediate
Social
support
underscores
integral
role
in
supporting
Universities
should
develop
targeted
programs
address
needs
promote
These
initiatives
can
enhance
thereby
aiding
retention
affected
this
or
any
future
global
crisis.
The
COVID-19
pandemic
has
exacerbated
challenges
for
millions
of
students
globally,
leading
to
enrollment
cliff.
This
study
addresses
the
existing
research
gap
by
investigating
influence
students’
mental
health
and
various
protective
factors
(i.e.,
optimism,
help-seeking
behaviors,
social
support)
on
academic
persistence,
an
indicator
student
retention.
We
utilized
structural
equation
modeling
approach
examine
effect
conditions,
risk
perception
persistence
through
a
sample
1,051
from
45
states.
Students’
positively
predicted
persistence.
Risk
was
negatively
associated
with
but
behaviors.
Optimism
fully
mediated
behaviors
did
not
mediate
Social
support
underscores
integral
role
in
supporting
Universities
should
develop
targeted
programs
address
needs
promote
These
initiatives
can
enhance
thereby
aiding
retention
affected
this
or
any
future
global
crisis.