Sociopolitical Influences in Early Emerging Adult College Students’ Pandemic-Related Civic Engagement

The COVID-19 pandemic has had wide-ranging impacts on college-going emerging adults and their communities, which may prompt them to engage civically. Using spring 2020 survey data from a national sample of college students aged 18–22 ( N = 707), we document the prevalence pandemic-related civic engagement as well differences in by sociopolitical perspectives. majority participants (70.4%) reported engaging civically at least once, most commonly online (e.g., sharing information about social media, volunteering virtually). Results showed communal orientation candidate intended vote for presidential election, but not political party affiliation. Qualitative provide insight into different motivations engagement. We conclude that adult students’ is partially motivated perspectives discuss implications future work examining more broadly.